SVT (sudden fast heart rhythm)

Overview

Vagal moves like bearing down can stop an episode.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Sudden racing heartbeat
• Racing heart that starts and stops suddenly

Less common

• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Pounding in the neck

Look up a symptom: Dizziness · Racing or pounding heartbeat

When to get medical care

Causes

Extra electrical pathway.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Young adults

Possible complications

• Fainting (syncope): Rare

Diagnosis

ECG during an episode.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• ECG:
• Monitor:

Treatment

Try vagal moves.

Self-care

• Bear down like straining
• Splash cold water on your face
• Limit caffeine and energy drinks
• Limit caffeine

Ablation can cure it.

Prevention

• Limit caffeine

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a cardiologist or electrophysiologist (heart rhythm doctor).

Living with it

Support groups and helplines

• American Heart Association: Plain-language heart information and a support network for patients.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Young adults and women: More common.
• Women: More common.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• This condition needs closer checkups during pregnancy. Plan ahead with your doctor.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Curable.

Ablation cures most.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Would ablation cure it?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on SVT (sudden fast heart rhythm)