How to calm a frequent heartbeat - what to do?

Each person during stress or physical activity feels changes in the work of the body, one of them is a rapid heartbeat - what to do if it lasts a long time or occurs suddenly?

The answer to the question of how to calm the heartbeat during tachycardia excites millions of people on the planet, because this is the most common form of arrhythmias.

With a rapid rhythm of work, the rate of cardiac output of blood decreases, circulatory failure develops, organs and tissues receive less oxygen. Only timely assistance will help to avoid serious complications.

Causes

A rapid and strong heartbeat occurs when the sinus node is activated - the main generator of the heart rhythm, located in the right atrium. From here, electrical impulses enter the atrioventricular node and the ventricles, stimulating their contraction. Any failure in the conduction system of the heart can occur, as a result of which the sinus node cannot control the work of the atria, or an additional source of electrical impulses is formed in another part of the myocardium. Either will lead to an attack of tachycardia. Why does this happen? The issue is still being studied, although the most common causes have long been established.

Heart palpitations are divided into 2 types according to the degree of danger to humans:

Physiological tachycardia - considered a variant of the norm, often observed in adolescents and young people, usually does not require special treatment. It occurs as a result of an emergency release of the hormone adrenaline into the blood and the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which causes an increased heartbeat.

This happens in the following situations:

• panic attacks, emotional experiences, stress;
• strength training exercises;
• sudden change in body position - from horizontal to vertical;
• an increase in body temperature (1 degree above 37 Celsius adds 10 heartbeats);
• frequent use of caffeinated foods, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages, or certain medications.

Pathological tachycardia is a manifestation of serious pathological processes in the body, it has its own causes, more often of an organic nature:

• ischemic damage to the heart muscle (heart attack, angina pectoris);
• cardiovascular insufficiency;
• defects of congenital or acquired origin;
• severe degree of hypertension;
• inflammatory lesions of the membranes of the heart - myocarditis, endocarditis, pericarditis;
• atherosclerotic disease;
• anemia, severe blood loss with the development of hemorrhagic shock;
• pain syndrome of various origins;
• acute infectious pathology;
• psychopathy, neurotic states;
• endocrine causes - problems with thyroid function, diabetes, obesity, pheochromocytoma;
• frequent use of certain drugs, the effect of toxic substances;
• electrolyte imbalance (potassium, magnesium, calcium).

Principles of treatment of tachycardia

Recurring episodes must be able to stop on their own at home before the arrival of the doctor. What should be done to slow down the pulse?

First of all, know the principles of therapy:

1. You need to be prepared for an attack - go through an examination in advance to establish the causes that cause an increased heart rate (more than 90 beats per minute at rest).
2. The underlying disease, the symptom of which is tachycardia, should be treated.
3. Give up alcohol, smoking and foods high in caffeine (strong tea, coffee, chocolate), include seafood, sea fish, vegetables, greens in the diet,
4. Eliminate heavy physical exertion, power sports.
5. Avoid stressful situations, activities that cause increased emotional or physical fatigue.
6. You can do fitness, yoga, do feasible physical exercises at home, walk more in the air.
7. To master the methods of physical therapy and breathing exercises (according to Strelnikova, Frolov).
8. The intake of medications (antiarrhythmic, diuretic, metabolic drugs, beta-blockers) should be agreed with the attending physician, medications are prescribed after examination and diagnosis.
9. Use all folk remedies and non-traditional methods only after consulting a doctor.
10. The possibility of surgical treatment (to do or not?) Is determined individually for some types of tachycardia. Indications - if a strong heart palpitations cannot be stopped with drugs or attacks are often repeated and significantly impair the quality of a person's life. With paroxysms at a young age, radiofrequency ablation has proven itself well.

First aid

This must be done quickly at home or at work (on vacation) before meeting with the doctor. Vagus tests have a good effect - activation of the parasympathetic nervous system causes a reflex decrease in the pulse.

For example:

• inhale deeply and hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly, as if pushing the air down;
• light massage of the carotid artery area - this place is located on the right under the lower jaw;
• gentle pressure with your fingers on the upper eyelids with your eyes closed for 1-2 minutes;
• immersion of the face for a short time in very cool water;
• artificial provocation of a strong cough or urge to vomit (press on the root of the tongue).

From folk methods for heart palpitations, you can inhale essential oils from plants such as mint, eucalyptus, anise, lavender, cloves, sage and others. They can be mixed with each other, put 10-15 drops on a napkin and inhale during an attack of tachycardia or do inhalations in an aroma lamp. Another recipe is to combine tinctures of valerian, motherwort, hawthorn and oats (or peony) in equal proportions, take 1 tsp from the resulting mixture, dilute with water and drink.

Medical care at home is taking medications prescribed by a doctor, it is important not to forget about the need to strictly follow the instructions.

At an attack it is necessary to cause "ambulance". A strong and increased heartbeat when it is impossible to contact a doctor can be stopped by taking Valocordin or Corvalol according to the instructions. It is dangerous to engage in self-medication with tachycardia, all therapy should be monitored by a cardiologist, such patients are subject to dynamic observation in order to timely correct therapy.