Consult your doctor

When the heart beats too fast, it can not effectively pump blood to the rest of the body, depriving organs and tissues of the oxygen they need. This may cause tachycardia - one of heart disease.

Symptoms

In some cases, tachycardia asymptomatic, and it is possible to find only in the course of examination or elektrokariogramme. However, there are some symptoms that should pay attention to:

• dizziness;
• shortness of breath;
• increased heart rate;
• palpitations (chaotic or irregular heartbeat, or feeling that the chest is something inverted);
• chest pain (the heart);
• swoon.

Causes

Tachycardia is caused by disruption of normal mezanizma supply of electrical impulses that control the rhythm of the heart. Many factors can cause or contribute to the disruption in the electrical conduction system of the heart. These factors include:

• tissue damage as a result of heart disease Heart disease and heart attacks: that every woman should know ;
• congenital abnormalities of electrical conduction of the heart;
• heart failure or congenital heart disease;
• high blood pressure;
• smoking;
• fever;
• alcohol abuse;
• abuse of beverages containing caffeine;
• taking certain medications;
• reception recreational drugs such as cocaine;
• electrolyte imbalance (electrolyte - minerals needed for the electrical impulses);
• overactive thyroid The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones   (hyperthyroidism).

In some cases, the exact cause of tachycardia Reasons for tachycardia: disruption of the heart   can not be established.

Preparing for the doctor

If you have not been to the doctor or seek emergency care, you will be referred to a cardiologist for a complete diagnostic evaluation. If possible, invite a family member or friend who can provide you with moral support and to help deal with the new information. Be prepared for what you'll go through a lot of surveys, and support will never be superfluous.

What you need to inform your doctor

In advance, make a list of information that can be useful your doctor. This list should include:

• Any symptoms that you notice, including those that may seem unrelated to the heart.
• Personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Medications, including vitamins and supplements that you take.
• Questions you want to ask your doctor.

Specify the questions in order of importance, from most important to least important. Here is a sample list of the main issues.

• What can be caused by an increase in heart rate?
• What tests do I need to pass?
• What treatment is right for me?
• What complications can cause tachycardia?
• How can I control the heart rate?
• How often do I need to provide preventive care?
• Do I need to change their lifestyle?
• Where can I learn more about my condition?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared, do not hesitate to ask further, which may occur at the reception.

What to expect at the reception

Most likely, your doctor will ask you some questions. If you prepare for it, it will give you time to discuss topics that interest you. For example, your doctor may ask you the following questions:

• When you first notice at the symptoms?
• How often do you have episodes of heart palpitations?
• How long these episodes?
• What external factors - exercise, stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis Caffeine - can cause episodes or impair their course?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you consume alcohol or caffeine, and how often?
• Do you consume soft drugs?
• Are you taking medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or other diseases and conditions that may affect the circulatory system?

The mitral valve controls blood flow from the left side of the heart. It opens and closes with each heartbeat, blood flowing from the upper chamber to the lower. In a patient with mitral valve prolapse valve does not close tightly enough. This is one of the most common disorders of the heart.

Mitral valve prolapse is caused by the physical changes of the mitral valve. Changes such as seal and / or anomalies in the form most often causes of mitral valve prolapse. What it is their cause is unknown. Often a predisposition to the development of mitral valve prolapse is inherited. These congenital disorders as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is also associated with an increased risk of mitral valve prolapse. In rare cases, this disturbance causes diseases affecting the mitral valve tissue, connective tissue and heart muscle.

Other diseases, such as osteogenesis imperfecta Osteogenesis imperfecta - a consequence of a defect gene   and hyperthyroidism, also associated with the risk of mitral valve prolapse.

Signs

In most patients, mitral valve prolapse has minimal effect on the heart and asymptomatic. In some cases, the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are shortness of breath, pain in the heart Pain in the heart - always consult a doctor   and / or heart palpitations. However, it is not clear exactly how the mitral valve prolapse causes these symptoms.

In patients with severe mitral regurgitation can be observed symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, fluid retention in the body and severe fatigue) and arrhythmias (such as dizziness and weakness).

Risk factors

The risk of mitral valve prolapse is particularly high for those whose close relatives suffer from this disorder. Other hereditary diseases cause mitral valve prolapse significantly less.

Structural changes of the mitral valve, both congenital and acquired as a result of any disease, also increase the risk of prolapse.

Connective tissue diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosus: how to recognize the disease , Osteogenesis imperfecta and hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism: increased secretion of thyroid hormone   also refer to the risk factors for the development of mitral valve prolapse.

Factors that increase the risk of complications:

• Paul. In men, complications of mitral valve prolapse occurs much more often than women.
• Age. The risk of complications of this disorder increases with age.
• Family history. Mitral valve prolapse is a family history increases the risk of complications.
• Structural abnormalities.

Diagnostics

As mitral valve prolapse usually has no symptoms, it is usually detected during a routine medical examination. In women with mild forms of mitral valve prolapse after the onset of middle age reveal a violation is sometimes impossible.

History and physical examination

Your doctor may suspect that you have mitral valve prolapse, if he clicks or hear a heart murmur. It can also be found during an echocardiogram. If you suspect a mitral valve prolapse, a doctor will carefully consider your personal and family history, as well as conduct an additional inspection. To confirm the diagnosis may need an echocardiogram - if it is not carried out until now. Occasionally, patients with mitral valve prolapse echocardiogram showing a normal result. In general, it can be used to determine:

• The size and functionality of the left heart chamber (left atrium and ventricle)
• The presence or absence of mitral valve prolapse (if this violation mitral valve bends to the left atrium)
• Sealing and / or irregular shape of the mitral valve
• Mitral regurgitation - regurgitation through the valve.