Definition
- Tachycardia is defined as a cardiac rate that is increased to >100 beats/minute (bpm)
- Tachyarrhythmia is used to describe tachycardia in the presence of cardiac rhythm abnormality
Epidemiology
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is more common in male patients with a history of cardiac disease and increases with age
- Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is more common in women than in men
- In adolescents, AVNRT and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) are more prevalent
- Atrial flutter is 2.5 times more common in men and often occurs in patients with underlying heart failure (HF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Use of the accessory pathway for tachycardia is more frequent in younger population and decreases with age
Signs and Symptoms
Serious signs and symptoms are often demonstrated at ventricular rates >150 bpm
Signs and symptoms related to rapid heart rate (HR):
- Altered sensorium
- Angina
- Hypotension
- Shortness of breath
- Myocardial infarction
- Palpitations
- Syncope, lightheadedness
- Shirt flapping/neck pulsations (more common in AVNRT)
- Polyuria (more common in AVNRT)
- Other signs of shock (eg cold clammy skin, low urine output), HF or pulmonary congestion
Risk Factors
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus (DM)
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Increasing age
- Valvular heart disease
- Heart failure
- Myocardial infarction
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Excessive alcohol intake