Tachycardia
What is a Tachycardia?
Tachycardia is an arrhythmia that originates in the chambers of the heart and causes a rapid heart beat, - 100 beats or more per minute. The rapid impulse can either begin in the upper chambers of the heart called atria (Supraventricular Tachycardia) or in the lower chambers called ventricles (Ventricular Tachycardia). During tachycardia the rapid contraction of the heart muscles does not allow the chambers to fill with adequate blood between beats. As a result the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's oxygen needs.
Tachycardia is often a result of serious heart disease or injury and usually requires immediate treatment including medicines, ablation, surgery and/or treating the cause, if possible.
