Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, where your heart beats erratically or faster than normal, especially when you're at rest. SVT affects the upper chambers of your heart, known as the atria. During an episode of SVT, your heart can beat as fast as 220 times per minute, lasting from a few seconds to a few hours.
The most common symptoms of SVT include:
Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is pounding or fluttering)
Chest pain
Dizziness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Fainting
Sweating
Weakness
A pounding feeling in the neck
In some cases, SVT may not cause any noticeable symptoms. Infants with SVT may experience sweating, pale skin, fast pulse, vomiting, and poor feeding.
SVT is usually caused by factors beyond your control, such as a medical condition or previous surgery. Some common causes and risk factors include:
Congenital heart issues (extra electrical pathways or abnormal electrical circuits in the heart)
Heart disease (coronary artery disease, heart failure, disease of the heart muscle or valve)
Lung disease
Thyroid disease
Diabetes
Sleep apnea
Certain medications (for asthma, allergies, or colds)
Heart surgery (scar tissue can affect electrical signals in the heart)
Pregnancy
Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep
Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco
Drug abuse (cocaine or methamphetamine)
To diagnose SVT, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and family history of heart problems. They may also perform a physical exam and order tests such as:
Electrocardiogram (EKG) to record your heart's rhythm
Holter monitor or event monitor to record your heart's activity over an extended period
Electrophysiology study to assess how electrical signals travel through your heart
Echocardiogram to create a video of your heartbeat using sound waves
Stress test to monitor your heartbeat while you exercise or take medication to make your heart speed up
Treatment for SVT depends on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Some options include:
Vagal maneuvers (coughing, holding your breath, or putting an ice pack on your face to calm the vagus nerve and slow your heart rate)
Medications (adenosine, atropine, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, or potassium channel blockers)
Cardioversion (delivering an electric shock to your heart to restore normal rhythm)
Catheter ablation (destroying the abnormal electrical pathway causing SVT using heat or cold)
Pacemaker implantation (rare cases)
Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help manage SVT and reduce the risk of complications. Some recommended changes include:
Following a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Staying hydrated by drinking enough water
Engaging in regular physical activity (consult your doctor for a suitable routine)
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption
Maintaining a healthy weight
Managing stress through techniques like yoga, meditation, or mindfulness
Getting enough sleep
Avoiding excessive consumption of caffeine, salt, saturated fat, sugar, and carbohydrates
If you experience symptoms of SVT, consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Seek immediate medical attention if your rapid heartbeat persists for more than a few minutes or is accompanied by chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness, or weakness.
Remember, while SVT is rarely life-threatening, prompt management and a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent complications and improve your overall well-being.
For more information on heart health and arrhythmias, visit:
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