Supraventricular Tachycardia

When talking about Supraventricular Tachycardia, a rapid heart rhythm that starts above the ventricles. Also known as SVT, it often brings sudden palpitations, light‑headedness, or chest tightness.

SVT is a type of Arrhythmia, any irregular heartbeat pattern that can be triggered by stress, caffeine, or underlying heart disease. Managing it usually involves Beta Blockers, medications that slow heart rate and reduce electrical conduction. In more complex cases, doctors turn to Cardiac Electrophysiology, the study and treatment of the heart’s electrical system to map and eliminate the rogue pathways causing the rapid beats. This combination of definitions sets the stage for the practical advice you’ll find below.

Key Aspects of Supraventricular Tachycardia

Supraventricular tachycardia encompasses fast rhythms that originate above the ventricles, typically ranging from 150 to 250 beats per minute. Diagnosis requires an electrocardiogram (ECG) because the waveform shows a narrow QRS complex that differentiates SVT from ventricular tachycardia. Physicians also use a Holter monitor or event recorder when the episodes are sporadic. Once identified, treatment decisions depend on frequency, severity, and patient health.

First‑line therapy often includes lifestyle tweaks—cutting back on caffeine, managing stress, and getting enough sleep—to lower trigger exposure. When episodes persist, beta blockers such as metoprolol or propranolol are prescribed because they lengthen the refractory period of the AV node, effectively slowing the circuit that fuels SVT. For patients who cannot tolerate beta blockers, calcium‑channel blockers like verapamil offer a similar slowing effect.

In refractory cases, a procedure called catheter ablation, performed by cardiac electrophysiology specialists, can permanently disrupt the abnormal pathway. The success rate exceeds 90% for most SVT subtypes, and recovery time is usually short. Post‑procedure care includes monitoring for arrhythmia recurrence and, occasionally, a brief course of anti‑arrhythmic medication.

Understanding how SVT relates to other arrhythmias helps patients recognize warning signs. Atrial fibrillation, for example, shares some triggers but presents with an irregularly irregular rhythm rather than the regular rapid beats of SVT. Knowing the difference can guide you to the right emergency care if you ever feel a sudden, sustained flutter.

Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that dive deeper into each of these topics—diagnostic tools, medication comparisons, lifestyle strategies, and the latest ablation techniques. Whether you’re looking for a quick overview or detailed guidance, the collection is designed to give you actionable insights you can use right away.