Supraventricular Tachycardia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Not every fast pulse after exercise or anxiety is SVT. Episodes may be brief and mild or recurrent enough to disrupt activities and need specialist treatment.

Related reading: The accessory pathway in Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome.

Sudden palpitations may accompany dizziness, fatigue, breathlessness or chest discomfort. How intense symptoms feel does not identify the rhythm type.

Mechanisms include an electrical circuit around the atrioventricular node, an accessory pathway or an atrial focus. These differ from normal acceleration during fever or exertion.

SVT can affect any age, including people without known heart disease. Electrical pathways, some cardiac disorders and individual triggers influence episodes but are not mandatory diagnostic features.

An ECG during symptoms is useful; intermittent episodes may require a wearable monitor. Medication review, selected blood tests, heart imaging or an electrophysiology study may help.

Treatment depends on rhythm and stability: observation, medicines or catheter ablation may be appropriate. Vagal maneuvers require clinician instruction; intravenous treatment or cardioversion requires monitoring.

Low blood pressure or fainting may occur; prolonged or very frequent tachycardia can sometimes weaken the heart. Risk depends on the rhythm and associated heart disease.

Record episodes and possible triggers, reduce stimulants if associated and avoid smoking or recreational drugs. Do not massage your neck or use another person’s heart medicine.