Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

SVT causes a very sudden rise in your heart rate, usually between 150 and 250 beats per minute. This can last for a few minutes up to a few days. Some people with SVT can feel this, as well as having some other symptoms, while others notice nothing at all.

Symptoms of SVT that you may experience include:

• palpitations

• a pounding sensation in your neck

• chest pain

• fainting

• lightheadedness or dizziness

• shortness of breath

• sweating

• weakness or extreme tiredness

• nausea and/or vomiting

Electricity in your heart is what allows it to pump. SVT is caused by extra bits of electricity that travel through an additional electrical pathway. The pathway is formed before you’re born, when your heart is still developing in the uterus. As an adult, when the pathway is triggered, the extra electricity is generated, and this causes your heart rate to suddenly quicken.

Types of SVT

There are several types of SVT, including:

• AV reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) 

• AV node re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT)

• atrial tachycardia

• atrial flutter

The type of SVT is determined by the area of your heart in which the extra electricity starts.

SVT triggers

Some people with SVT will know what triggers their symptoms. But most do not. Factors that can bring about symptoms include:

• stress

• anxiety 

• caffeine

• alcohol

• cigarette smoke

• pregnancy

Risk factors

You may be more at risk of SVT if you have:

• uncontrolled diabetes

• sleep apnoea 

• thyroid, lung, or heart disease

• a congenital heart defect

• a history of heart surgery

• taken asthma, cold, or allergy medicine

Your cardiologist or electrophysiologist will see you for an initial consultation. 

They should be able to make a diagnosis of SVT at this appointment. To do so, they’ll need to ask you about your medical history and symptoms. They’ll also perform a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) to ​​record the electrical activity in your heart. 

In some cases, blood tests may be needed to rule out other conditions that can cause a fast heartbeat.

Once they’ve made a diagnosis and determined which type of SVT you have, they’ll recommend the best treatment option for you.

You may be able to manage your SVT and reduce your chances of having episodes by following these lifestyle guidelines:

• manage stress

• eat a healthy, balanced, and varied diet

• exercise regularly

• don’t smoke

• limit caffeine

• identify your triggers

• try to avoid your triggers where possible

SVT is rarely life-threatening. 

However, severe episodes of SVT can lead to sudden cardiac arrest (a sudden loss of all activity in your heart). If this happens, you can stop breathing, lose consciousness, and will need immediate emergency treatment, as it can lead to death.

Repeated SVT episodes can also make your heart weaker and lead to heart failure. This is because your organs and tissues don’t get enough oxygen when your heart beats too fast. 

If you have other medical conditions alongside SVT, your risk of heart failure is also higher

Your consultant will explain what the most appropriate and effective treatment is for you, based on the type and severity of your condition.

They may recommend lifestyle changes similar to the advice for preventing SVT episodes.

You may need treatment if you’re troubled by your symptoms. Your consultant may offer you medications to reduce your episodes.

If you’re having regular SVT attacks, you may be recommended a procedure called an electrophysiological study with catheter ablation. This is where heat or freezing therapy is used to destroy any tissue that’s causing the abnormal electrical signals in your heart. This treatment cures SVT in most people.

At Welbeck, our cardiologists and electrophysiologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.