Tachycardia - the body to the limit? - Diagnosis and treatment of supraventricular tachycardia

Diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia

Your doctor or therapist or doctor emergency department will ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and taking medications. Then the doctor will perform inspection, paying special attention to the heart, lungs and other organs, which could explain the symptoms.

To confirm the diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia and selection of the most appropriate treatment is also carried out a number of other studies:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

ECG - a painless, quick, non-invasive study that examines the electrical conductivity of the heart. At the patient's body (chest, arms and legs) are fixed electrode 12, via which it is possible to obtain a schematic representation of electrical activity of the heart at different points. This allows you to detect various types of violations of the heart. ECG reveals supraventricular tachycardia, and sometimes even to establish its cause. Further investigation or treatment may depend on the results of the ECG.

• Ambulatory ECG (holtervosky monitoring)

By the time you get to the hospital, the symptoms sometimes manage to disappear, and ECG will be fine. It's not good, because that accurate diagnosis depends on fixing palpitations ECG. Ambulatory monitoring solves this problem. To do this for 1-2 days carry with them Holter monitor. Ambulatory ECG fix any deviation from normal heart rhythm. It is also recommended to keep a journal and write in it time and circumstances in which there are abnormal heart rhythm that allows you to determine the cause of tachycardia Reasons for tachycardia: disruption of the heart .

• Echocardiography

Echocardiography - a non-invasive ultrasound of the heart, a method of obtaining images of the heart and major blood vessels, which is based on the use of ultrasound. Echocardiography is used for special devices - echocardiography, required elements of design which are ultrasonic generator, which is sent in the form of a beam through the chest wall to the various departments of the heart; sensor which senses reflected ultrasonic signals; transducer the ultrasonic waves into electromagnetic waves and amplifier, as well as a recording device that allows you to obtain an image of the structures of the heart - an echocardiogram (on the oscilloscope screen, a special photo paper) and record it on a magnetic medium. Echocardiography is also used to identify problems in the structure, valves or heart muscle.

• Stress test

The stress test is an ECG that is performed both at rest and in a state of stress on the heart (usually to perform this exercise on a treadmill or veltrenazhere). If you can not be doing the exercises, the patient is given a drug that will provide the necessary time to load on the heart. Stress test helps in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (blockage of coronary arteries with fatty plaques (atherosclerosis)). Coronary heart disease prevents the heart to get enough blood, which can cause cardiac arrhythmia.

• Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography

If the result of the stress test is not correct, if you feel chest pain Chest pain is one symptom - a lot of diseases , Shortness of breath, or lose consciousness, the doctor may prescribe cardiac catheterization under local anesthesia. Cardiac catheterization - a study of the cavities of the heart and large blood vessels nearby. Cardiac catheterization allows to obtain data on the pressure and blood flow within the various parts of the heart and pulmonary artery, as well as to determine the volume of the ventricles of the heart, to perform chemical analysis of gases, to obtain information about the partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Angiography -rentgenologicheskoe study of blood vessels with the introduction of these contrast agents. Most often used to study the state of the large blood vessels (arteries) and to identify their pathologies and injuries.

• Electrophysiological study

This diagnostic study is prescribed if you have heart palpitations, but there is intolerance to the treatment, or if a heart formed new pathways, because that broken heart rhythm. To conduct the study using special catheters that are introduced into the blood vessel through a small incision in the skin. The catheter is placed inside the heart, which begins immediately after the electrophysiological study: the recording of electrical signals and electrical stimulation of the heart using a catheter. During the procedure, a doctor performs an electrical stimulation of the heart, causing arrhythmia to establish the type of arrhythmia. Research performed under local anesthesia.

Laboratory research

• The doctor may also order blood tests to rule out thyroid disease Thyroid disease - women at risk   and damage to the heart muscle (heart attack).
• Urinalysis and additional blood administered to avoid overdosing of drugs that can cause palpitations.

Treatment

Treatment of supraventricular tachycardia is aimed at reducing the heart rate and the elimination of abnormal pathways. Treatment may be divided into two categories: acute episode of tachycardia termination and preventing future episodes of tachycardia. One of the most important factors that should be considered in the treatment of acute episodes of supraventricular tachycardia, - the degree of cardiac dysfunction.

Future steps after primary treatment - it is the control and prevention of nadzheludochnoy tachycardia. The attending physician conducts regular preventive examination for the purpose of monitoring the progress of the patient, in accordance with the severity of the symptoms and causes of supraventricular tachycardia. Control examination takes place every few weeks or months, with the following purpose:

• Rate recurrence rate of tachycardia and heart rate;
• Adjustment Plan of medical treatment, including a reduction or increase in the dosage of drugs on the basis of the inspection, re-Holter ECG or study.
• Planning for further treatment if the patient's condition deteriorates.

Prevention

• Reducing stress levels How to beat stress? Create an oasis .
• Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• Exclusion from the diet of caffeine, the rejection of other stimulants and alcohol.
• Receiving prescription medications.

The forecast for the future

Most people with episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia can lead a normal life without any restrictions.

• This medication may be some side effects. Discuss these possible side effects with your doctor.
• In rare cases, if a constant heart palpitations are not treated, the heart muscle may weaken, leading to heart failure.
• If the doctor finds a specific cause of tachycardia associated with heart disease or systemic disease, recovery depends on the expectations for this major disease.