The treatment of tachycardia depends on its cause. For example:
Fever. Fever-related tachycardia can be treated with fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others). If the fever is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics also may be needed.
Blood loss. To treat blood loss, the patient first is stabilized with fluids given intravenously (into a vein) or blood transfusions. Then, the source of the bleeding is found and stitched, or corrected with surgery.
Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with antithyroid medications such as methimazole (Tapazole, generic versions). Alternative treatments include radioactive iodine, which destroys the thyroid with radiation, or removing most of the thyroid gland with a surgical procedure called subtotal thyroidectomy.
Cardiac arrhythmias. The treatment depends on the cause of the arrhythmia. In some people, massaging the carotid sinus in the neck will stop the problem. Other people require medications such as digitalis (Lanoxin), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, generic versions). Some patients respond only to radiofrequency catheter ablation, a procedure that destroys the area of abnormal heart tissue that is triggering the tachycardia. Other patients can be treated with electrical cardioversion, a procedure that delivers a timed electrical shock to the heart to restore normal heart rhythm.
Lung disease. If the tachycardia is caused by a blood clot in the lungs, the usual treatment is medications that dissolve the clot and keep more clots from forming. Pneumonia or other lung problems can be treated with medications for those conditions.
The treatment of tachycardia depends on its cause. For example:
Fever. Fever-related tachycardia can be treated with fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others). If the fever is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics also may be needed.
Blood loss. To treat blood loss, the patient first is stabilized with fluids given intravenously (into a vein) or blood transfusions. Then, the source of the bleeding is found and stitched, or corrected with surgery.
Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with antithyroid medications such as methimazole (Tapazole, generic versions). Alternative treatments include radioactive iodine, which destroys the thyroid with radiation, or removing most of the thyroid gland with a surgical procedure called subtotal thyroidectomy.
Cardiac arrhythmias. The treatment depends on the cause of the arrhythmia. In some people, massaging the carotid sinus in the neck will stop the problem. Other people require medications such as digitalis (Lanoxin), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, generic versions). Some patients respond only to radiofrequency catheter ablation, a procedure that destroys the area of abnormal heart tissue that is triggering the tachycardia. Other patients can be treated with electrical cardioversion, a procedure that delivers a timed electrical shock to the heart to restore normal heart rhythm.
Lung disease. If the tachycardia is caused by a blood clot in the lungs, the usual treatment is medications that dissolve the clot and keep more clots from forming. Pneumonia or other lung problems can be treated with medications for those conditions.
From Health A-Z, Harvard Health Publications. Copyright 2007 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Written permission is required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. To make a reprint request, contact Harvard Health Publications. Used with permission of StayWell.
