Understanding Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

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, or the electrical pathways near them. During an episode of SVT, your heart typically beats between 150 and 250 times per minute, with episodes lasting from a few seconds to a few hours.

Symptoms of SVT

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.

Causes and Risk Factors of SVT

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)

Diagnosing SVT

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 Options for SVT

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)

Lifestyle Changes to Manage SVT

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:

• American Heart Association

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• Heart Rhythm Society

The Bottom Line

Most people with SVT can achieve complete symptom control through lifestyle modifications and targeted treatments, with catheter ablation offering a permanent cure for those with frequent episodes. The key is identifying your specific triggers and working with a cardiologist to choose the right treatment approach. If you're experiencing rapid heartbeats, chest pain, or dizziness, Doctronic can help you understand your symptoms and next steps quickly.