Supraventricular Tachycardia Treatment in NYC
What is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
SVT, which stands for supraventricular tachycardia, is an unusually rapid heartbeat of more than 100 beats per minute. With SVT you may feel as though your heart is racing or fluttering in your chest. Supraventricular tachycardia occurs more frequently in women than men and can also affect children and infants. There are three types of SVT:
- Atrial tachycardia
- Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia
- Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia
Other forms of SVT include:
- Sinus tachycardia
- Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST)
- Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT)
- Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET)
- Nonparoxysmal junctional tachycardia (NPJT)
What causes supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
Episodes of SVT occur when the signals that control your heartbeat are not functioning normally. Episodes of SVT may be triggered by the following:
- Psychological stress
- Not getting enough sleep
- Engaging in physical activity
- Heart failure
- Thyroid disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Smoking
- Abusing alcoholic substances
- Abusing certain drugs
- Consuming certain medications
- Surgery
- Pregnancy
- Other health conditions
What are the symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
Symptoms of SVT will vary. For some, SVT may appear in episodes with symptoms lasting only a few moments; for others, symptoms may last days. Symptoms of SVT may include:
- Feeling like there is fluttering in your chest
- Experiencing shortness of breath
- Having a rapid heartbeat
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Sweating
- Feeling a throbbing in your neck
- Fainting or almost fainting
How is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) diagnosed?
To help determine if you have SVT your doctor may begin by asking you what symptoms you have been experiencing. Your doctor may also ask about your medical history, perform a physical, and recommend various tests, including:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Holter monitor
- Event monitor
- Echocardiogram
- Implantable loop recorder
- Stress test
- Tilt table test
- Electrophysiological testing and mapping
How is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) treated?
Episodes of SVT tend to be brief or non-disruptive. Therefore, treatment for SVT is usually not needed. If your episodes of SVT occur frequently or for extended durations of time, treatment options are available. Treatment for SVT may include:
- Carotid sinus massage
- Vagal maneuvers
- Cardioversion
- Certain medications
- Catheter ablation
- Pacemaker
Our heart and vein doctors at Heart Vein NYC have over 20 years of experience providing the New York City area with comprehensive,
