Supraventricular tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the atria or AV node, and is not usually life threatening. The two main types of tachycardia are supraventricular tachycardia (problem with the top chambers) and ventricular tachycardia (problem with the bottom chambers). Tachycardia can be a normal response to physical activity, but can also be a sign of a medical problem. Some forms of tachycardia are easily treated and not serious, but others can be life threatening.
Tachycardia is when your heart beats too fast, generally more than 100 beats per minute. Types of arrhythmiaĪrrhythmias are categorised into two types – tachycardia and bradycardia. However, see your doctor if you have more frequent or consistent palpitations, which may be associated with a serious arrhythmia. Palpitations may have no obvious cause, but can be triggered by:Īn occasional palpitation that does not affect your general health is not usually something to worry about. They are usually associated with an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Almost everyone has had palpitations at some time in their life. They may feel like your heart is racing, thumping or skipping beats. Palpitations are a sensation or awareness of your heart beating. This normal heart rhythm is called the sinus rhythm, because it is controlled by the sinus node. These same electrical signals are passed on to the ventricles via the atrioventricular (AV) node and cause the ventricles to contract a short time later, after they have been filled with blood from the atria. These signals travel rapidly throughout the atria to make sure that all the heart’s muscle fibres contract at the same time, pushing blood into the ventricles. In a healthy heart, heartbeats are set off by tiny electrical signals that come from your heart’s natural ‘pacemaker’ (controls how many times your heart beats over a minute, 60–100bpm) – a small area of your heart called the sinus node, located in the top of the right atrium. The ventricles then contract – the right ventricle pumping blood to your lungs (to become oxygenated) and the left ventricle pumping blood to the rest of your body. Normally, the upper chambers of your heart (the atria) contract (squeeze) first and push blood into the lower chambers (the ventricles). There are four chambers – the left atrium and right atrium (upper chambers), and the left ventricle and right ventricle (lower chambers). Each side has a small collecting chamber (atrium), which leads into a large pumping chamber (ventricle). Your heart has a right side and a left side, separated by a wall. Immediately call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if you feel any of these warning signs : pain or discomfort (pressure, heaviness or tightness) in your chest, neck, jaw, arms, back or shoulders, or if you feel nauseous, a cold sweat, dizzy or short of breath, lasting for more than 10 minutes. Untreated, they can affect your heart’s pumping action, which can lead to dizzy spells, shortness of breath, faintness, loss of consciousness or serious heart problems. Other arrhythmias are more serious, even life threatening. Some may cause your heart to skip or add a beat now and again, but have no effect on your general health or ability to lead a normal life. Changes in your heart’s electrical system can cause abnormal heart rhythms called ‘arrhythmias’.Īrrhythmias are a disturbed rhythm of your heartbeat. Sometimes, your heart’s electrical system may not work properly because of cardiovascular disease, chemicals in your blood (including some medicines) or sometimes for no known reason. Normally, this pumping (your heartbeat) is controlled by your heart’s electrical system. The blood pumped by your heart provides your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. It’s a muscle that pumps blood to all parts of your body.
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