Why is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia dangerous

Other things that raise the risk are: Excess caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine use Certain heart problems, such as: Mitral valve defects Heart attack or heart failure Long term lung disease Hyperthyroidism Respiratory illnesses Stimulant drugs Symptoms Symptoms of PSVT may be: Fast or pounding heartbeats Weakness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint Problems breathing and feelings of fear Chest discomfort Rarely, loss of consciousness Diagnosis The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health.

Tests may be ordered to find the cause. They may include: ECG —to measure the electrical activity of the heart Holter monitor —a device worn to measure heart activity over 24 to 48 hours Implantable loop recorder ILR —a small device put in the skin of the chest to find faulty heart rhythms Electrophysiology study —wires placed inside the heart to see where the abnormal rhythm starts Echocardiogram or ultrasound exam of the heart to look for structural heart disease Blood tests—to look for mineral imbalances and thyroid problems Treatment The goal is to slow the fast heartbeats.

To do this, the doctor may advise: Guided breathing—breathing strong through the mouth while blocking the nose Carotid massage—the doctor will put brief pressure on an artery in the neck to reset heart signals An adenosine injection may also be given—to slow the heartbeats. If these methods do not work, other options are: Lifestyle changes—such as avoiding excess caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or illegal drugs Medicines given by injection or pills to slow the heartbeats, such as: Calcium channel blockers Digoxin Beta-blockers Anti-arrhythmic medicines Medicines to treat underlying problems, such as hyperthyroidism Cardioversion —an electric shock to reset the heart—if needed Ablation —destroying some heart tissue with cold or heat, to block abnormal signals Prevention There are not guidelines to prevent PSVT.

Cancer Care. Emergency Services. Cesarean Birth. Imaging Services. High Blood Pressure. Laboratory Services. Maternity Services. Hip Replacement. Primary Care. Type 2 Diabetes. Updated by: Michael A. Editorial team. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia PSVT. 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. Symptoms may include: Anxiety Chest tightness Palpitations a sensation of feeling the heartbeat , often with an irregular or fast rate racing Rapid pulse Shortness of breath Other symptoms that can occur with this condition include: Dizziness Fainting.

Exams and Tests. You can try the following techniques to interrupt a fast heartbeat during an episode of PSVT: Valsalva maneuver. To do this, you hold your breath and strain, as if you were trying to have a bowel movement.

Coughing while sitting with your upper body bent forward. Splashing ice water on your face You should avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and illicit drugs. There may be an abnormal electrical pathway between the atria and the ventricles an arrhythmia called atrioventricular reciprocating supraventricular tachycardia. Much less commonly, the atria may generate abnormal rapid or circling impulses an arrhythmia called true paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.

The fast heart rate tends to begin and end suddenly and may last from a few minutes to many hours. It is almost always experienced as an uncomfortable awareness of the heartbeat, such as feeling like the heart is pounding or racing palpitations Palpitations Palpitations are the awareness of heartbeats.

The sensation may feel like pounding, fluttering, racing, or skipping beats. Other symptoms—for example, chest discomfort or shortness of breath—may It is often associated with other symptoms, such as weakness, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Usually, the heart is otherwise normal. This record, the electrocardiogram also known as an ECG Episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia often can be stopped by one of several maneuvers that stimulate the vagus nerve and thus decrease the heart rate. These maneuvers are usually conducted or supervised by a doctor, but people who repeatedly experience the arrhythmia often learn to do the maneuvers themselves. Maneuvers include.

Rubbing the neck just below the angle of the jaw which stimulates a sensitive area on the carotid artery called the carotid sinus.

If these maneuvers are not effective, if the arrhythmia causes severe symptoms, or if the episode lasts more than 20 minutes, people are advised to seek medical intervention to stop the episode. For most people with supraventricular tachycardia, moderate amounts of caffeine do not trigger an episode of SVT. Large amounts of caffeine should be avoided, however.

Consider keeping a diary to help identify your triggers. Track your heart rate, symptoms and activity at the time of an SVT episode. Supraventricular tachycardia care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Supraventricular tachycardia SVT is as an abnormally fast or erratic heartbeat that affects the heart's upper chambers.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Typical heartbeat Open pop-up dialog box Close. Typical heartbeat In a typical heart rhythm, a tiny cluster of cells at the sinus node sends out an electrical signal. Supraventricular tachycardia Open pop-up dialog box Close. Supraventricular tachycardia Supraventricular tachycardia is an abnormally fast heartbeat. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Brugada J, et al. European Heart Journal.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Feb. Riggin EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Ferri FF.