What causes tachycardia?

Tachycardia refers to a heart rate that exceeds the normal range, typically defined in adults as a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia can be caused by various factors:

1. Physiological factors are common triggers, such as changes in body position, physical activity, food digestion, emotional anxiety, pregnancy, excitement, fear, agitation, alcohol consumption, smoking, and tea drinking, all of which may lead to an increased heart rate. Age is also a factor, as children often have faster heart rates, and tachycardia in these cases is usually temporary and harmless.

2. Pathological tachycardia involves heart disease or systemic diseases, such as cardiac conditions (including coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease), hyperthyroidism, electrolyte imbalances (such as hypokalemia), medication or drug use, severe infections, dehydration, and shock.

3. Abnormalities in the heart's conduction system can also cause tachycardia, such as supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia.

If symptoms of tachycardia persist or are severe, they may be accompanied by clinical manifestations such as chest tightness, palpitations, anxiety, and shortness of breath, and prompt medical attention is recommended.