Supraventricular tachycardia (patient information)
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Supraventricular tachycardia |
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Where to find medical care for supraventricular tachycardia? |
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Supraventricular tachycardia On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Supraventricular tachycardia |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for supraventricular tachycardia |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is episodes of rapid heart rate that start in a part of the heart above the ventricles. "Paroxysmal" means from time to time.
What are the symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia?
Symptoms usually start and stop suddenly, and can last for a few minutes or several hours. They can include:
- Anxiety
- Chest tightness
- Palpitations (a sensation of feeling the heart beat), often with an irregular or fast rate (racing)
- Rapid pulse
- Shortness of breath
Other symptoms that can occur with this condition:
What causes supraventricular tachycardia?
Normally, the chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles) contract in a coordinated manner.
- The contractions are caused by an electrical signal that begins in an area of the heart called the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or SA node).
- The signal moves through the upper heart chambers (the atria) and tells the atria to contract.
- After this, the signal moves down in the heart and tells the lower chambers (the ventricles) to contract.
The rapid heart rate from PSVT may start with events that take place in many different areas above the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
PSVT can occur with digitalis toxicity and with conditions such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
The condition occurs most often in young people and infants.
The following increase your risk for PSVT:
Diagnosis
A physical examination during a PSVT episode will show a rapid heart rate. It may also show bounding pulses in the neck.
The heart rate may be over 100, and even more than 250 beats per minute (bpm). In children, the heart rate tends to be very high. There may be signs of poor blood circulation such as lightheadedness. Between episodes of PSVT, the heart rate is normal (60 to 100 bpm).
An ECG during symptoms shows PSVT. An electrophysiology study (EPS) may be needed for an accurate diagnosis and to recommend the best treatment.
Because PSVT comes and goes, to diagnose it patients may need to wear a 24-hour Holter monitor. For longer periods of time, another tape of the rhythm recording device may be used.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if:
- You often have a sensation of feeling the heart beat quickly and symptoms do not end on their own in a few minutes.
- You have a history of PSVT and an episode does not go away with the Valsalva maneuver or by coughing, or other symptoms occur with the rapid heart rate.
- Symptoms return often
- New symptoms develop
Treatment options
If you do not have symptoms or any other heart condition, PSVT may not need treatment.
If you have an episode of PSVT, there are techniques you can try on your own to interrupt the fast heartbeat.
- One is called the Valsalva maneuver. To do this, you hold your breath and strain, as if you were trying to have a bowel movement.
- Another technique you can try is to cough while sitting with your upper body bent forward.
- Some people find that splashing ice water on the face is helpful.
You should avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
Emergency treatment to slow the heartbeat back to normal may include:
- Electrical cardioversion, the use of electric shock
- Medicines through a vein
Long-term treatment for people who have repeat episodes of PSVT, or who also have heart disease, may include:
- Cardiac ablation -- a procedure used to destroy small areas in your heart that may be causing the rapid heartbeat (currently the treatment of choice for most PSVTs)
- Daily medications to prevent repeat episodes
- Pacemakers to override the fast heart beat (on occasion may be used in children with PSVT who have not responded to any other treatment)
- Surgery to change the pathways in the heart that send electrical signals (this may be recommended in some cases for people who need other heart surgery)
Where to find medical care for supraventricular tachycardia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Condition
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
PSVT is generally not life threatening. If other heart disorders are present, it can lead to congestive heart failure or angina.