My father was diagnosed with tachicardia few days ago and I would like to know more about it. How does it happen and can it be dangerous? I do not want anything bad to happen to my father.
Tachycardia is a condition of sudden, rapid racing of the heart and depending on how fast the heart is beating, symptoms may include: breathlessness, upset stomach, chest pain, weakness, fainting spells. These symptoms are different from person to person. The attack of tachycardia may be over in minutes or may last for several days. The heart rate may in range between 140 and 250 beats per minute. In most cases, tachycardia is not life threatening. However, it can cause feeling of anxiousness or fear. Tachycardia can be triggered by conditions such as heart disease, an overactive thyroid gland or fever. Sometimes drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages can be a cause of tachycardia. There are self-help measures that can help slow down the heart rate. These include splashing a face with cold water, taking a slow drink of water and holding a breath for a moment. I am sure that you father will be ok.