Tachycardia is an arrhythmia that causes an abnormally fast heart rate. Left untreated, tachycardia can thicken or stiffen the heart muscle and reduce the amount of blood your heart pumps. At the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, our expert team diagnoses and treats tachycardia to protect the hearts of Central Kentucky.
There are three types of tachycardia. Each causes your heart to pump 100 beats per minute or faster.
- Tachycardias originating from the top chambers of the heart: The atria are the two upper chambers of your heart. Several types of arrhythmias fall in this category, including supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is the most common atrial arrhythmia.
- Sinus tachycardia: Near the middle of your heart is the sinus node, your heart’s built-in pacemaker. With sinus tachycardia, the sinus node speeds the heart rate based on certain conditions like exercising, anxiety, fever and dehydration. In some cases, the sinus node malfunctions and tells the heart to speed up when it shouldn’t. This is known as inappropriate sinus tachycardia. While not dangerous, it may cause symptoms.
- Ventricular tachycardia: The ventricles make up the heart’s lower chambers. Ventricular tachycardia starts in these chambers. Ventricular fibrillation is considered the most dangerous type of ventricular tachycardia and can be life-threatening.
Tachycardia can cause mild or severe symptoms or no symptoms at all. The most obvious symptom is a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Chest discomfort, squeezing or pain
- Fluttering sensation in your chest
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Pounding pulse
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
Additionally, severe tachycardia can cause you to pass out or experience cardiac arrest.
There is little you can do to prevent tachycardia. However, you may reduce your risk with these steps:
- Consuming less caffeine
- Drinking little or no alcohol
- Eating a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
- Stopping or never using tobacco products
Though anyone can experience tachycardia at any age, the following increase your risk:
- Age: Growing older increases your likelihood of having a dangerously fast heart rhythm. However, some tachycardias affect children.
- Alcohol: An occasional drink is safe, but heavy drinking and alcohol abuse increase your risk.
- Health history: Living with heart disease or undergoing heart surgery increases your risk for tachycardia.
- Mental health: Anxiety increases the likelihood of a racing heart in young people.
- Sex: Women experience certain types of tachycardia nearly twice as often as men.
- Sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea can cause your heart rate to increase.
- Smoking: Cigarettes increase your chance of tachycardia.
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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