Sinus tachycardia is a type of fast heartbeat. It may be a normal reaction to activity like fear or stress, or a sign of other health problems. In some cases, the underlying cause isn’t known. The cardiac specialists at UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute offer expert diagnosis and treatment for people with sinus tachycardia in Central Kentucky.
A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia is when the heart beats more than 100 beats per minute. A fast heartbeat can happen for many reasons. It can be normal for your heart rate to exceed 100 in situations such as when you are exercising or experiencing fear, stress or anxiety. However, if your heart rate is elevated without any of these triggers, that’s when we explore treatment options.
Sinus tachycardia is one type of tachycardia. Other types are supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia.
In sinus tachycardia, electrical signals tell the heart to beat faster. These signals come from the sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. The sinus node sits at the top of the heart’s right upper chamber, or atrium. From the sinus node, the signals move into the upper chambers of the heart and then to the heart tissue in the lower chambers. In sinus tachycardia, the heart maintains a regular heart rhythm, still using its regular conduction system but beating at a faster rate.
A fast or racing heart rate is often the only symptom of sinus tachycardia.
Depending on the underlying cause of the condition, you may also experience:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Pounding heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
When sinus tachycardia is a natural response to fear, fever, pain, significant emotional stress or exercise, it’s a short-lived condition, and your heart rate quickly returns to normal. However, experiencing sinus tachycardia when life is calm and you’re at rest may be a sign of another health issue, such as:
- A blood clot in the lung
- Anemia, a low level of red blood cells
- Another heart condition
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
- High levels of certain minerals, including calcium, magnesium or potassium
- Low blood oxygen level
- Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia
- Overactive thyroid, called hyperthyroidism
- Reaction to certain prescription, over-the-counter or illegal drugs
- Serious infection
- Tumors on or near the adrenal gland
When sinus tachycardia doesn’t have a known cause, it’s called inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
In many cases, it isn’t possible to prevent sinus tachycardia. However, living a heart-healthy lifestyle may help prevent some causes of sinus tachycardia.
- Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating fruits and veggies, lean meats, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains, while limiting sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Avoid vaping and secondhand smoke as well.
- Limit alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per day and women should aim for no more than one drink per day.
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Get seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night.
- Manage other health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, by taking medications properly and following your provider’s guidance.
- Stay physically active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Talk to your provider about what exercises are good for you. Be sure to watch for signs that your heart is working too hard; if you become short of breath or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest right away.
- Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccines to help avoid getting sick.
Specific risk factors for sinus tachycardia depend on the cause. Some risk factors include:
- Autoimmune disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Excessive exercise
- Heart damage
- Heart disease
- Heavy bleeding
- High levels of stress/anxiety
- Excessive intake of caffeine or energy drinks
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Taking or stopping some prescription, over-the-counter or illegal drugs
Your first visit to UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute’s Adult Heart Rhythm Program is a time of education and introductions. You meet members of your care team and learn about detecting, treating and living with arrhythmias.
Diagnosing arrhythmias is a unique process that requires detective work. One of the most important steps toward diagnosis is listening to your story. Your team will ask a lot of questions about your symptoms and medical history. The goal is to gather all possible information that can help pinpoint the source of your heart issue. Information from this first meeting helps your team determine the next step in diagnosis.
Based on information from this meeting, your healthcare provider may give you a monitor to wear. This monitor tracks your heart rhythm and allows your team to determine the type of arrhythmia you have. Additionally, your team may prescribe one or more diagnostic tests. If appropriate, these tests take place on a different day, and your team helps schedule them at your convenience.
When coming to your first arrhythmia appointment, plan to do the following:
- Arrive early. You may need to fill out paperwork when you arrive. Getting to your appointment early ensures you have time to complete paperwork without feeling rushed.
- Bring a current list of medicines or supplements you take. You should also list any surgeries you’ve undergone, symptoms you’ve experienced and other past health issues.
- Dress comfortably. Working toward a diagnosis takes time. Comfortable clothes help you remain relaxed and attentive throughout your visit.
- Eat and drink normally. You won’t undergo imaging or other testing at your first visit. Therefore, there are no dietary restrictions.
- Have your insurance information on hand. UK HealthCare accepts most insurers, and financial assistance is available.
- Request a loved one to join you. Bring a family member or friend with you to take notes and ask questions you may not think of asking.
Where we are located
The UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute is located at 800 Rose St. in Pavilion G, on the first floor of UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. We will mail you a map and directions when your appointment is scheduled.
Patient drop-off
Patients can be dropped off in front of the main entrance to Albert B. Chandler Hospital at 1000 S. Limestone. If you are dropped off at the main entrance, you’ll enter the revolving doors on the ground floor of the hospital. Take the main stairs just to the left (or elevator across the atrium) to the first floor of Pavilion A.
After climbing the stairs or taking the elevator, turn left. You’ll pass the Kentucky Wall and Kentucky Children’s Hospital on your right. Continue to the end of the hall until it comes to a T shape. Turn left and the Gill clinic entrance is across from an open area housing the organ donor wall.
Parking
It is easiest to park in the UK HealthCare Parking Garage, across from the hospital at 110 Transcript Ave.
There are two paths from this garage to the Gill clinic:
- You may take the free shuttle from Level A of the parking garage. You’ll exit the shuttle at the Pavilion A/ Pavilion G stop in front of the main entrance to the hospital. After climbing the stairs or taking the elevator, turn left. You’ll pass the Kentucky Wall and Kentucky Children’s Hospital on your right. Continue to the end of the hall until it comes to a T shape. Turn left and the Gill clinic entrance is across from an open area housing the organ donor wall.
- From Level C of the parking garage you may walk or take a golf cart across the pedway to the first floor of Pavilion A. Turn left past the help desk and walk away from the dining hall. You’ll pass the Kentucky Wall and Kentucky Children’s Hospital on your right. Continue to the end of the hall until it comes to a T shape. Turn left and the Gill clinic entrance is across from an open area housing the organ donor wall.
If you need help finding your way, information desks are located inside the main entrances to Pavilion A, both on the ground floor and at the end of the pedway on the first floor. You may also call the information desk at 859-323-5816.
Our Adult Heart Rhythm Program experts help residents of Central Kentucky and beyond regain proper heart rhythm every day. To improve the future of arrhythmia treatment and management, they also participate in clinical trials.
At any given time, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute staff engages in trials for new medicines or devices. This gives you access to arrhythmia treatment not available at many other facilities.
If you’re a candidate for an ongoing trial, your care team will discuss the possibility with you.
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