Supraventricular Tachycardia

1.

Supraventricular
Tachycar dia
SVT
SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) is a common kind of arrhythmia
when your heartbeat is too fast. You may or may not have symptoms
like chest pain or dizziness. There are some things you can do on
your own, but you may need medicine or surgery to help with
symptoms.

2.

SV T
Overview&Symptoms
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D i a g n o s i s & Te s t
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Tr e a t m e n t & P r e v e n t i o n
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Prognosis&Living with
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Supraventricular Tachycardia

3.

Over view&Symptoms
SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) is a common kind of arrhythmia when your heartbeat is too fast. You may or
may not have symptoms like chest pain or dizziness. There are some things you can do on your own, but you may
need medicine or surgery to help with symptoms.
When your heart rhythm isn’t normal or the speed of the heartbeats isn’t right, you might have an arrhythmia.
There are different names for different kinds of arrhythmias, depending on where they happen in the heart and
what causes the problem. Tachycardia means your heart is beating too fast. It can reach more than 100 beats a
minute while resting.
With SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), your fast heart rate begins in your upper heart chambers. The cause is a problem with the electrical
signals and circuitry in the heart. When your heart is beating too fast, your heart can’t fill with blood between beats, making it hard to get
enough blood to your body.
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4.

A problem with your heart’s electrical signals or circuitry causes
SVT, but some people may not be aware of what brings on their
symptoms. People with a serious case may become unconscious
or have cardiac arrest.
You might not have any symptoms, but many people have a fast
heartbeat of more than 100 beats per minute while at rest as one
of their major symptoms. This can go on anywhere from seconds to
hours.
Other symptoms may include: Having chest pain, Feeling tire,
Having a fast heartbeat, Feeling lightheaded, Sweating, Feeling
dizzy, Passing out, Having palpitations (fluttering in your chest),
Feeling short of breath.
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5.

Diagnosis&Test
Your healthcare provider will most likely do
an electrocardiogram. If your provider needs to study
your heart for a longer amount of time, they may ask
you to wear a heart monitor that records the electrical
activity in your heart.
You should see your doctor if you have symptoms of SVT
(supraventricular tachycardia), including: Having
chest pain; Feeling tired; Having a fast heartbeat;
Feeling lightheaded; Feeling dizzy; Passing out; Having
palpitations (fluttering in your chest); Feeling short of
breath.
Call an ambulance if you: Have chest pain; Have
trouble breathing; Feel really faint.
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6.

Treatment&Prevention
1
You may not need treatment. Some people may feel
better after resting more, drinking less coffee or
alcohol or after quitting smoking.
2
These treatments may be the first things to try: Have
your healthcare provider apply pressure to specific
areas of your face and neck; Do the Valsalva maneuver;
Lie down; Put an ice cold towel on your face; Cough.
3
People who require therapy in the form of a catheter
ablation to eliminate the areas responsible for the
abnormal electricity can have cure rates close to 95%
depending on the specific SVT.
4
If your healthcare provider prescribes medicines for
you, be sure to follow the instructions for taking them.
Also, keep going to your follow-up appoiments.
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7.

Outlook&Prognosis
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Some people with SVT
(supraventricular tachycardia) may
not need treatment at all. You may
not have symptoms or your symptoms
may range from mild to severe.
Lifestyle changes can help some
people with their symptoms. Others
need to take medicine to slow down
their heart rate. In certain
circumstances, catheter ablation is a
definitive therapy and should be
considered before trying
medications. The cure rate is very
high in people who have a catheter
ablation.
Lifestyle changes can help with SVT
(supraventricular tachycardia). A
good example would be Miley Cyrus,
the award-winning American
performer, including the MTV Award,
who has had supraventricular
tachycardia since birth, but leads a
full life.
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