Doctor's Notes on Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT, PSVT)
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is a heart condition caused by abnormal conduction of electrical impulses in the heart. It causes the upper chambers of the heart (atria) and secondarily the lower chambers, the ventricles, to beat very rapidly. The term paroxysmal is used because the rapid heartbeat tends to come and go on its own, lasting a few seconds or many hours.
Symptoms of PSVT include:
- sensation of heart palpitations that may be associated with a feeling of fullness in the throat,
- weakness,
- fatigue,
- lightheadedness or dizziness,
- shortness of breath,
- fainting, and
- chest pressure.
The symptoms occur during the rapid heartbeat, but the fatigue may last even after the heartbeat has returned to normal.
What Is the Treatment for Supraventricular Tachycardia?
Depending upon the heart rhythm, medications can be used to reset the AV node or to decrease heart muscle excitability. These medications are administered intravenously. Adenosine is a short-acting medication that is commonly used as a first-line drug to treat PSVT.
Treatment options for other supraventricular tachycardias include:
- beta blockers,
- calcium channel blockers,
- amiodarone, and
- digoxin.
If intravenous medication is not effective or if the patient has shortness of breath or low blood pressure, cardioversion may be recommended. This means that an electrical shock is given to reset the heart's electrical system to beat with a regular rate and rhythm.
Heart Disease : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz

In the U.S., 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
-
Addiction
Addiction is possible whenever ingesting a substance causes the basic pleasure and reward circuits in the brain to activate. Addiction is an illness that requires treatment, because people with addictions cannot stop on their own. Symptoms of addiction include a person's inability to stop using the substance, devoting a lot of time and effort toward obtaining, using, and recovering from the substance's effects, discontinuing important social, employment, and recreational activities due to preoccupation with the substance, developing tolerance for the substance, and developing withdrawal symptoms. -
Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
Arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders are conditions that causes changes in the normal heartbeat. There are numerous types of arrhythmias, for example, supraventricular tachycardia, sinus sick syndrome, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular fibrillation. Signs and symptoms of an arrhythmia may include: Chest pain or discomfort Shortness of breath Palpitations Racing heart sensation Treatment for arrhythmias depend upon the cause. -
Asthma Medications
Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchi and bronchioles). Asthma is caused by chronic (ongoing, long-term) inflammation of these passages. Asthma medications include corticosteroid inhalers, oral and intravenous corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, beta-agonists, anticholinergic inhalers, methylxanthines, mast cell inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies. -
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) describes a rapid, irregular heart rhythm. The irregular rhythm, or arrhythmia, results from abnormal electrical impulses in the heart. Atrial fibrillation may be treated with medications or surgery. There are many causes of atrial fibrillation, for example, pneumonia, heart disease, alcohol use, and thyroid problems. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include chest pain and/or angina, nausea, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Atrial fibrillation is managed and treated with medication, medical procedures, and surgery. -
Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter is a type of arrhythmia, that is, an irregularity in the beating of the heart. Symptoms of atrial flutter include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, weakness, and a fluttering feeling in the chest. Causes of atrial flutter include heart disease, hypertension, heart muscle disease, heart abnormalities, substances, and diseases that affect other areas of the body. Treatment of atrial flutter includes defibrillation and medication. -
Blood Clots
Blood is supposed to clot to help repair a blood vessel that is injured. Clots or thrombi become a problem when they form inappropriately. There are a variety of illnesses and risk factors that can lead to blood clot formation such as atrial fibrillation, heart attack, strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and more. Diagnosis and treatment of blood clots depends on the cause and severity of the clot. -
Chest Pain
Chest pain has a variety of noncardiac and cardiac causes, some of which can be very serious. Signs and symptoms of chest pain may include burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. Atherosclerosis, angina, lung tumors, chest trauma, abdominal pain, and gastric reflux are just a few potential causes of chest pain. Chest pain is diagnosed by taking the patient history and performing a physical exam. Blood work, imaging tests, and an exercise stress test may be ordered. The treatment and prognosis of chest pain depends on the underlying cause. -
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT or deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the leg. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and warmth around the area of the clot. Learn about causes, diagnosis, and treatment. -
Drug Dependence and Abuse
Drug dependence is the physical need for a certain substance. Drug abuse and dependence comprise a huge public health problem with no easy treatment available. -
Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) is a tool used to assist in diagnosing heart diseases and conditions, for example, atrial and ventricular fibrillation, heart attacks, and heart failure. -
Heart Attack
A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack. -
Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of different types of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease depend on the cause and inclue chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Many conditions causes heart disease, for example, genetics, obesity, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for heart disease depend on the cause and include diet and other lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, and surgery. The prognosis (outlook) and life span for someone with heart disease varies depending on the cause. -
Palpitations
Heart palpitations are an abnormality of the normal heartbeat and rhythm and are a symptom of another disease or problem. Causes of heart palpitations include heart disease or other heart problems (mitral valve prolapse, atrial fibrillation), during pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause, anxiety, emotional stress, stimulants (caffeine, alcohol, drugs), and some over-the-counter and prescription medications. Other symptoms that may accompany heart palpitations include nausea, vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath, and angina (heart pain). Some types of heart palpitations can be fatal, for example, ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. -
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is a condition in which the thin membrane that lines the heart becomes inflamed. In most cases of pericarditis, the cause is not known. The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain. Treatment is generally ibuprofen; however, if the condition is life-threatening surgery may be required. There is no way to prevent pericarditis. -
Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lung. The clot typically comes from other areas of the body and travels to the lung, where it becomes lodged. Pulmonary embolism can cause serious problems, from shortness of breath to instantaneous death, depending on the nature of the clot. -
Smoking (Cigarette)
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of death and illness among Americans. Effects of smoking can cause cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD, chronic cough, and more. Smoking cessation includes nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral therapy. -
Staying Up-to-Date: Heart Attack Guidelines
Medical conferences help keep doctors up-to-date on the latest best medical practices, such as heart attack guidelines. -
SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) vs. Heart Attack
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a rapid heart rate that affects the upper ventricles of the heart. In contrast, a heart attack is a severe reduction or complete blockage of blood to one or more segments of the coronary arteries that can cause death of heart muscle.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.