When to Call a Doctor

Call or seek emergency services immediately if you have a fast heart rate and you:

• Faint or feel as though you are going to faint.
• Have severe shortness of breath.
• Have chest pain.
• Have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Call your doctor if you are having fluttering in your chest (palpitations) that persists and does not go away quickly or if you have frequent palpitations.

If you have a pacemaker

Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms that could mean your device is not working properly, such as:

• Your heartbeat is very fast or slow, skipping, or fluttering.
• You feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.
• You have shortness of breath that is new or getting worse.

Watchful Waiting

If you have a fast heart rate and you have symptoms that may be caused by the fast heart rate, watchful waiting is not appropriate. See your doctor.

Who to See

Health professionals who can evaluate symptoms of a fast or irregular heartbeat include:

• Family medicine doctors.
• Internists.
• Cardiologists.
• Electrophysiologists.
• Nurse practitioners (NPs).
• Physician assistants (PAs).

Most people with supraventricular tachycardia need to see a cardiologist or electrophysiologist for follow-up care.