What is the Meaning & Definition of tachycardia

Tachycardia is the increase in the heart rate above the values considered as normal, i.e. above 100 beats per minute in an adult.
It is a sign of affection of the heart that is put in evidence by taking the pulse or when listening to the patient, often presents asymptomatically unless the person is aware or is aware of this, in other cases can occur accompanied by discomfort such as palpitations or chest pain.

Why does tachycardia?

Tachycardia can occur in both under normal conditions and in pathological situations, their main causes include:
Physiological adaptation. Heart rate tends to increase as a response to the increase in demand for oxygen by the tissues as in the case of exercise, during physical activity increases the requirement for nutrients from muscle tissue, so it is necessary for the heart to beat faster.
Infections. When an infectious process before the invasion of tissues by a microorganism released a series of substances chemical mediators that they act as messengers to send signals to the hypothalamus so you increase temperature causing fever, this leads to blood vessels to dilate and increase heart rate. This is not a rule fixed in all cases, some microorganisms are related febrile pictures with decrease in heartbeat, i.e. bradycardia, the latter is characteristic of infections such as typhoid and yellow fever.
Tobacco and other stimulants. The increase in heart rate also occurs by smoking, excessive intake of coffee and tea, as well as in the form of effect secondary or collateral by the use of some drugs as in the case of drugs for the treatment of asthma, syrups for coughs, thyroid hormone, decongestants and some painkillers, among others.
Anemia and bleeding. These conditions are capable of producing tachycardia as a consequence of the decrease of red blood cells, which makes that it decreases the supply of oxygen to tissues by which the heart must increase the number of beats per minute to meet its demand. When anemia is not treated properly the heart may become unable to fulfill this function to develop a form of heart failure known as "Anemic Cor".

Tachycardia may be the manifestation of a cardiac arrhythmia

Tachycardia may be due to local heart factors as the condition of the nodes or natural pacemaker is what gives rise to the emergence of arrhythmias, some of them occur with an increase in heart rate as well as an irregular rhythm in the pulse. It may also occur in the course of a heart attack or heart attack, as well as in patients suffering from heart failure.
In the case of tachycardia originated as a result of diseases of the heart it is possible that symptoms such as pain in the chest, fainting and loss of consciousness, there is the possibility of an arrhythmia known as ventricular fibrillation, which is potentially deadly if it is not managed by an emergency medical team.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.