Sinus tachyarrhythmia - what is it

Sinus tachyarrhythmias develop as complications of various pathological changes in the body and can lead to life-threatening and health-threatening consequences.

What is sinus tachyarrhythmia? What is this disease? Of course, patients who have been diagnosed with such a diagnosis are well aware that this is a rapid heartbeat, causing a sharp deterioration in well-being, but they have little idea of ​​the difference between tachycardia and tachyarrhythmia.

Unfortunately, with the development of tachyarrhythmia, the consequences for the body are much more severe: a prolonged uneven heartbeat leads to a violation of almost all vital functions.

How pathology develops

A healthy adult heart contracts normally at regular intervals of 60-80 beats per minute (in children, depending on age, these figures will be slightly higher). The sinus node is responsible for the uniformity of contractions, sending impulses to the myocardium, which provide alternate contraction of the atria and ventricles.

But, in addition to the sinus node, there are other nodes in the myocardium that can send a contractile impulse to the heart wall. "Extra" nodes are necessary for the survival of the organism in order to set the rhythm of contractions in case of failure of the sinus node.

But with prolonged heart disease, there is a violation of the electrical excitability of the heart.

According to the localization of the pathogen of the additional impulse, the following types are distinguished:

• sinus;
• supraventricular;
• ventricular.

sinus

Occurs due to uneven frequent passage of impulses (the number of contractions reaches up to 120-150 per minute), usually occurs with developing blood diseases (anemia) or infectious diseases accompanied by severe intoxication (myocarditis, sepsis). This is the most favorable form for the patient: in most cases, the contractile function of the heart can be restored after the elimination of provoking factors. The main distinguishing feature is that during exercise, the pathologically frequent heartbeat decreases.

supraventricular

The impulse originates at the AV junction, located between the atria and ventricles.

In this case, the pathology can be of 2 types:

1. Complete substitution. The contractile function of the organ is completely taken over by the AV node, suppressing sinus impulses. The pulse of such patients reaches up to 180 beats per minute.
2. The occurrence of extrasystoles. When the heart is racing, the AV junction sends an additional contractile signal. On the ECG, such signals are visible in the form of extrasystoles. The severity of the patient's condition is determined by the number of extrasystoles per minute.

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia often occurs against the background of long-term pathological changes in the myocardium, accompanied by the occurrence of various blockades.

Ventricular

It is manifested by an inconsistency between the number of contractions of the ventricles and the atria: the atria contract the prescribed number of times, while ventricular contractions reach 120-200 beats per minute.

How the disease manifests itself

Symptoms depend on the nature of the rhythm change:

1. Acute. Appears suddenly in the form of an attack of palpitations and is accompanied by a sharp weakness, sometimes to the point of fainting, and a feeling of lack of air. The person turns pale, covered with a cold sweat and, if consciousness is preserved, experiences intense fear. All symptoms progress rapidly and without timely medical care, such people may die.
2. Chronic. Moderate tachyarrhythmias with a long course (sometimes for several years) can be almost asymptomatic. Patients only occasionally complain of shortness of breath and periodic pressing pain behind the sternum.

Danger of tachyarrhythmias

If the heart contracts frequently and unevenly for a long time, this leads to the fact that it becomes impossible to fully fill the organ with blood, which means that blood circulation in the body worsens.

The most common complications are:

• thromboembolism of large arteries and veins due to stagnation of blood (the most dangerous thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery);
• pulmonary edema;
• violation of respiratory function;

• cardiac ischemia;
• myocardial infarction;
• sudden cardiac arrest.

Depending on the severity of symptoms:

• for acute - the development of a heart attack, pulmonary edema or death is characteristic;
• for chronic - less life-threatening, but greatly impairing health (CHD, thromboembolism or respiratory failure).

Provoking factors

In order to prevent the development of rhythm disturbances, you need to know what causes them.

They can be provoked by 3 groups of factors:

1. Functional, not a sign of disease. For example, electrolyte imbalance in dehydration due to insufficient fluid intake in the heat or in acute gastrointestinal disorders.
2. extracardiac diseases. This group includes all diseases that affect the chemical composition of the blood (severe infections, endocrine disorders, etc.).
3. Cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension, VVD, myocarditis and various heart defects - all this can provoke an increase and irregular heartbeats.

In childhood, tachyarrhythmia can develop not only for the above reasons, but also because of myocarditis or rheumatic heart disease.

Sometimes rhythm disturbance in children is functional in nature and is associated with hyperactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system. In the latter case, the condition is quickly corrected with medication.

First aid

Tachyarrhythmias require immediate treatment under medical supervision.

But if the attack occurred suddenly, then before the ambulance arrives, you can help the person using the following actions:

• Massage the carotid sinus, which is located in the region of the right carotid artery. Strokes of moderate strength in this area will lead to vasodilation and slowing of the heartbeat. Such massage is prohibited in atherosclerosis and in the elderly.

• Light rhythmic pressure on the eyeballs. The effect of the procedure is the same as for carotid sinus massage.
• Advise the person to take a deep breath and hold the breath. Sometimes when holding the breath, the attack stops.

But even if you managed to stop the attack that has arisen, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible to identify the cause of the disease and treat it.

If frequent irregular heartbeats are felt for a long time, which appear in the form of seizures or have already become habitual due to the constant work of the heart in this mode, then you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. The heart is a vital organ, any deviations in its work can lead to life-threatening consequences.