From this article you will learn: what are the medicines for tachycardia, by what principle they act, what tablets are treated for various types of tachycardia. Side effects and contraindications to various drugs that are used for tachycardia.
What medications are prescribed for tachycardia
Depending on the type and cause of tachycardia, its treatment can be both conservative and surgical. Drugs allow you to completely get rid of heart palpitations, not associated with heart disease - and with the latter more effective surgical treatment.
Also, drugs are used to relieve paroxysmal tachycardia and prevent their reappearance.
Depending on the cause of the rapid pulse, medications are prescribed by a cardiologist, endocrinologist or psychotherapist.
For frequent heartbeats, tablets or intravenous injections may be given. The latter are usually used to quickly relieve an attack of paroxysmal tachycardia.
What medications are prescribed for tachycardia?
| The cause of rapid heartbeat | Groups of drugs |
|---|---|
| Heart diseases | Beta-adrenoblockers, calcium channel blockers, adenosine, magnesium sulfate and others. |
| Hyperthyroidism | Thyrostatics |
| Neuroses | Sedative, tranquilizers |
Consider the mechanism of action and effects of drugs of all groups.
Antiarrhythmic drugs
They are used to treat tachycardia caused by heart disease. Also, such medications can be part of the therapy of rapid heartbeat, which is due to hyperthyroidism, if the pulse is very high( more than 120 per minute).
Diltiazem - an example of antiarrhythmic drug During treatment with any antiarrhythmic drugs, alcohol is contraindicated.
All antiarrhythmic drugs in case of improper application or overdose can cause severe rhythm disturbances and even cardiac arrest. In no case do not take them without first consulting a doctor.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers operate by blocking beta-1-adrenergic receptors that are in the heart. Or by blocking all beta-adrenergic receptors in the body.
Doctors recommend taking them for the treatment of sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. Assign them including in the case of sinus tachycardia caused by hyperthyroidism. Sometimes there is only enough thyreostatic medication, but if the heart palpitations are very pronounced( the pulse at rest exceeds 120), they also prescribe beta-blockers for rapid removal of this symptom.
They are effective for the prevention of heart attack, because they are fighting with cardiac ischemia. Assign them and after the already transferred myocardial infarction, in order to prevent reoccurrence.
Additional effects other than slow heart rate:
- lowering blood pressure;
- decrease in cardiac conduction;
- reduction in heart rate.
Thanks to this action they can be taken with hypertension, extrasystoles.
Common side effects of
| Selective beta-blockers( block only beta-1-adrenergic receptors) | Non-selective beta-blockers( block both beta-1-adrenoreceptors and beta-2-adrenergic receptors) |
|---|---|
| Fatigue | Same as selective beta-blockers. In addition, spasm of bronchi( in asthmatics), an increase in the tone of the muscles of the uterus, hyperglycemia are possible. |
| Decreased attention | |
| Dizziness | |
| Slow heartbeat | |
| Hypotension | |
| Nausea | |
| Constipation or diarrhea |
Contraindications
| Selective | nonselective |
|---|---|
| AV-blockade | same as for selective |
| Acute heart failure | Asthma |
| Chronic heart failure is a second-degree or higher sinoatrialblockade | Diseases that impair peripheral circulation( eg, obliterating atherosclerosis) |
| Premenstrual syndromesVentilation of the ventricles( eg, WPW) | Pregnancy. |
| age of 18 |
Examples of drugs
| Selective Non-selective metoprolol | |
|---|---|
| Inderal Propranolol Atenolol | |
| bisoprolol | sotalol |
| Betaxolol Timolol |
Calcium channel blockers
They recommend taking with supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter.
Some drugs in this group( for example, Diltiazem) are administered by intravenous injections to relieve an attack of paroxysmal tachycardia.
About the mechanism of action. In the human body there are channels through which calcium ions penetrate from the intercellular space into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. Blockers slow the passage of ions through these channels. Due to this, the heart rate also decreases.
Mechanism of action of calcium channel blockers But not all calcium channel blockers have antiarrhythmic effect. For example, it is absent in Cinnarizine and Nifedipine.
The clinical effect of calcium channel blockers is similar to that of beta-blockers.
Taking these tablets from tachycardia also has other effects besides slowing heart rate:
- reduces blood pressure;
- relieve spasm of arteries, expand them;
- worsens conduction of cardiac tissue;
- eliminates ischemia.
Frequent side effects of
- Headache caused by excessive vasodilation;
- dizziness;
- hypotension;
- swelling.
Contraindications
- WPW-syndrome;
- LGL syndrome;
- hypotension;
- syndrome of weakness of the sinus node;
- violation of AV-conduction;
- acute myocardial infarction.
Examples of calcium channel blockers with antiarrhythmic effect
- Verapamil;
- Diltiazem.
Principle of action of calcium channel blockers with antiarrhythmic effect Calcium channel blockers can not be taken together with other antiarrhythmic drugs.
Simultaneous reception of CCBs and beta-blockers can lead to cardiac arrest. Also, the drugs of this group do not combine with ACE inhibitors, nitrates, diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, as they increase the hypotensive effect.
Sodium channel blockers
They are used to treat paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia( including arising from WPW syndrome): to relieve seizures and prevent them. They are also used for atrial flutter.
Additional effects:
- antihypertensive;
- is an anti-inflammatory;
- is antipyretic;
- analgesic.
Examples of this group:
- Quinidine;
- Novokainamide.
Contraindications:
- AV blockade;
- blockade of the bundle of the bundle of the gingival
- conduction defects inside the ventricles.
Frequent side effects: hypotension, dizziness, diarrhea, bitter taste in the mouth.
In case of an overdose of Quinidine, the opposite effect is possible: increased ventricular fibrillation, and then - cardiac arrest.
Adenosin
This is an effective antiarrhythmic drug. It is used to treat supraventricular and nodal tachycardia, as well as paroxysmal tachycardia such as re-entry, which occurs with WPW syndrome.
Enter the drug intravenously during an attack of tachycardia.
Frequent side effects:
- redness of the face due to high blood flow;
- shortness of breath;
- feeling of squeezing in the chest;
- dizziness.
These effects last no more than an hour.
When adenosine is used, compliance with dosage is very important. Therefore, the drug is often administered in parts: first a small dose, and if it is ineffective, one more.
Overdose can lead to dangerous side effects:
- atrial fibrillation and( or) ventricles;
- drop in blood pressure;
- cardiac arrest.
Due to the fact that misuse of the drug is life-threatening, it can only be administered by a doctor.
Thyrostatics
They are used to treat hyperthyroidism( thyroid disease), one of the symptoms of which is tachycardia. They reduce the production of thyroid-stimulating hormones by the thyroid gland.
The most commonly prescribed drug in this group is Mercazolil. It practically does not cause side effects. In rare cases, a rash appears, the level of leukocytes in the blood decreases, the thyroid gland increases.
Contraindications:
- leukopenia( low white blood cell count);
- pregnancy: as the substance penetrates the placenta, the fetus may develop hypothyroidism;
- the period of breastfeeding.
Sedative medicines and tranquilizers
These medications are prescribed for tachycardia if it was triggered by neuroses. They help to relieve the psychological stress, because of which the patient's pulse also increases.
Often used medicines on a plant basis:
- tincture or tablets from the root of valerian;
- tincture of motherwort;
- Persen( valerian + lemon balm).
If the neurosis is severe, the therapist may prescribe an anxiolytic remedy( tranquilizer).
In addition to sedative( sedative) action, they have a number of other effects:
- anxiolytic( anti-anxiety);
- sleeping pills;
- relaxing( reduce muscle tone).
Common tranquilizers:
- Phenazepam,
- Gidazepam,
- Diazepam,
- Alprazolam,
- Hydroxysin.
Tranquilizers do not combine with other sedatives, antidepressants, antiarrhythmics. Also, they can not be taken for a long time( more than a month), as they are addictive.