Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a heart condition where your heart beats too fast due to an irregular rhythm in the upper chambers of your heart. This can happen to anyone, regardless of age, from children to adults.
Causes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
The causes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can vary depending on the individual. In many cases, SVT is caused by an abnormal electrical connection in the heart, which may have been present from birth. Other potential causes include:
- Stress or anxiety
- Caffeine or alcohol consumption
- Certain medications or drugs
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Heart disease or heart failure
- Lung disease
- Electrolyte imbalances
In some cases, the cause of SVT may be unknown. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms of SVT, as they can help determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.
Types of SVT
There are several types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), including:
- Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT): This is the most common type of SVT and occurs when there are two electrical pathways in the heart that can form a loop, causing a rapid, regular heartbeat.
- Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT): This type of SVT occurs when there is an extra electrical pathway between the atria and ventricles, which can create a loop and cause a rapid heartbeat.
- Sinus tachycardia: This is a normal response to physical or emotional stress, and is not considered a type of SVT unless it is sustained for an extended period of time.
- Junctional tachycardia: This occurs when the electrical impulses originate from the AV node or surrounding tissue, rather than the atria.
- Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT): This is a rare type of SVT that occurs when there are multiple rapid atrial rhythms occurring simultaneously.
The treatment for SVT depends on the specific type and underlying cause of the condition. Your doctor can perform tests to determine the type of SVT you have and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) symptoms
The symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can vary depending on the individual, but common symptoms include:
- Rapid heartbeat (usually over 100 beats per minute)
- Palpitations (sensation of a racing, fluttering, or pounding heart)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting (in more severe cases)
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Fatigue or weakness
Some people with SVT may not experience any symptoms, while others may experience symptoms regularly or intermittently. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are new or concerning. They can help determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to help manage or prevent future episodes.
Things you can do to help with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
There are several things you can do to help manage supraventricular tachycardia (SVT):
- Avoid triggers: Identify what triggers your episodes of SVT and avoid or limit them. Common triggers include stress, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and certain medications.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Stress can be a trigger for SVT, so practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga may help reduce your stress levels and prevent episodes.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalances and trigger episodes of SVT, so it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of SVT, so maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet can help reduce your risk.
- Talk to your doctor: If you have frequent or severe episodes of SVT, talk to your doctor about treatment options such as medications or procedures like catheter ablation.
- Stay calm during episodes: If you do experience an episode of SVT, try to stay calm and take slow, deep breaths. If the episode lasts longer than a few minutes or is accompanied by severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
It’s important to work with your doctor to develop an individualized treatment plan for SVT, as the most effective approach may vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) treatment
The treatment for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) depends on the frequency and severity of the episodes, as well as the underlying cause. Here are some treatment options:
- Vagal maneuvers: These are physical techniques that can help slow the heart rate by stimulating the vagus nerve. Examples include bearing down as if you’re having a bowel movement, coughing, or placing your face in a bowl of ice water.
- Medications: Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and other antiarrhythmic medications can help slow the heart rate and prevent future episodes of SVT. These medications are often used as a first-line treatment.
- Electrical cardioversion: This procedure involves using electrical shocks to reset the heart’s rhythm back to normal. It is typically used for people who have severe or recurrent episodes of SVT that don’t respond to other treatments.
- Catheter ablation: This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves using a catheter to deliver energy to the heart tissue, destroying the tissue causing the abnormal rhythm. Catheter ablation can cure SVT in many cases.
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying structural abnormality in the heart that is causing SVT.
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms of SVT, as they can help determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Some people with mild or infrequent episodes of SVT may not require any treatment, while others may need ongoing management or intervention to control symptoms and prevent complications.
The risk factors for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can vary depending on the individual, but some common factors include:
- Age: SVT can occur at any age, but it is more common in older adults.
- Family history: If you have a family member with SVT or other heart rhythm disorders, you may be at increased risk.
- Pre-existing heart conditions: Having certain heart conditions, such as congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, or heart failure, can increase the risk of SVT.
- Lifestyle factors: Factors such as stress, smoking, excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, and drug use can trigger episodes of SVT in some people.
- Other medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolism, or electrolyte imbalances, can increase the risk of SVT.
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have any of these risk factors or if you experience symptoms of SVT, as they can help determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. In some cases, lifestyle modifications or medication may be sufficient to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications, while others may require more invasive treatments like catheter ablation or surgery.
Foods to avoid with SVT
While there are no specific foods that have been proven to cause supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), there are some dietary factors that may trigger episodes or make symptoms worse in some people. These include:
- Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and trigger episodes of SVT in some people. Beverages like coffee, tea, and energy drinks are common sources of caffeine.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and cause dehydration, which can increase the risk of SVT. It can also interfere with the heart’s electrical signals and trigger episodes in some people.
- Processed or high-fat foods: These types of foods can be high in sodium and trigger episodes of SVT in some people. Additionally, being overweight or obese can increase the risk of SVT, so it’s important to maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Spicy foods: Spicy foods can increase body temperature and heart rate, which may trigger episodes of SVT in some people.
- Sugar: Eating a diet high in sugar can contribute to obesity and increase the risk of developing heart disease, which can increase the risk of SVT.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about any dietary factors that may trigger your episodes of SVT and work with them to develop a personalized treatment plan. They may recommend avoiding certain foods or beverages, or making other dietary modifications to help manage your symptoms.
Is SVT dangerous?
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can be uncomfortable and frightening, but it is typically not life-threatening. However, in rare cases, SVT can cause complications such as:
- Fainting or loss of consciousness: Rapid heart rates can cause a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to fainting or loss of consciousness.
- Heart failure: Prolonged episodes of SVT can put a strain on the heart and lead to heart failure.
- Blood clots: If SVT is caused by an underlying heart condition, it can increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to stroke or other serious health problems.
While SVT is not usually considered dangerous, it can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and may require medical treatment to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms of SVT, as they can help determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. In some cases, lifestyle modifications or medication may be sufficient to manage symptoms, while others may require more invasive treatments like catheter ablation or surgery.
How does SVT compare to sinus tachycardia?
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and sinus tachycardia are two different types of rapid heart rate, but they have different underlying causes and characteristics.
SVT is a type of heart rhythm disorder that involves rapid heartbeats originating from the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. It is typically caused by an abnormal electrical pathway in the heart that creates a loop, causing a rapid and irregular heartbeat. SVT can cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting.
Sinus tachycardia, on the other hand, is a normal response to physical or emotional stress, and is not considered a type of SVT unless it is sustained for an extended period of time. It occurs when the heart’s natural pacemaker (the sinus node) sends electrical signals to the heart at a faster rate than usual, causing a rapid heartbeat. Sinus tachycardia can also cause symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath, but it is generally a normal response to physical or emotional stress and does not require medical treatment unless it is sustained or associated with other symptoms.