Is a heart rate of 117 beats per minute dangerous?

A heart rate of 117 beats per minute falls within the range of tachycardia, which may lead to dangerous symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, and shock.

1. Dizziness

When the heart beats significantly faster per minute, the time available for the heart to fill adequately is reduced, leading to decreased blood output. This results in insufficient blood supply to the brain, causing dizziness due to lack of oxygen.

2. Shortness of breath

In patients with tachycardia, the heart often cannot pump blood effectively, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery throughout the body. This oxygen deficiency causes symptoms such as shortness of breath and breathlessness.

3. Chest pain

Prolonged or frequent episodes of tachycardia can easily cause myocardial ischemia, depriving the heart muscle of sufficient blood and oxygen, resulting in chest pain.

4. Fainting

Tachycardia may also impair the heart's ability to pump blood, significantly weakening cardiac output and further reducing cerebral blood flow, which can lead to fainting.

5. Shock

If the above conditions persist for an extended period, the heart may become unable to pump blood effectively, leading to shock and potentially causing multi-organ failure.

When any of these symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. Treatment under a physician's guidance may include medications such as propafenone hydrochloride tablets or verapamil hydrochloride tablets, or procedures such as electrical cardioversion or radiofrequency ablation.