Cause

Two common types of supraventricular tachycardia—atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)—are caused by an abnormal electrical pathway in the heart and often occur in people who do not have any other type of heart disease. What causes this abnormal pathway is not clear.

Some experts believe that AVRT—specifically Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome—may in some cases be inherited.

For more information about how SVT happens, see the topic Types of Supraventricular Tachycardia.

Other types of supraventricular tachycardia may be caused by:

• Overly high levels of the heart medicine digoxin (such as Lanoxin) or the bronchodilator theophylline (such as Uniphyl).
• Other serious health problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, pneumonia, or metabolic problems.

Symptoms

Symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia include:

• A racing or fluttering feeling in the chest (palpitations).
• Chest discomfort (pressure, tightness, pain).
• Lightheadedness or dizziness.
• Fainting (syncope).
• Shortness of breath.
• A pounding pulse. You may feel or see your pulse beating, especially at your neck, where large blood vessels are close to the skin.
• Sweating.
• Tightness or fullness in the throat.
• Tiredness (fatigue).
• Excessive urine production.