Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Causes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) happens when the electrical system that controls your heart rhythm is not working properly.
This causes your heart to suddenly beat much faster. It can then slow down abruptly.
A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). But with SVT your heart rate suddenly goes above 100bpm. This can happen when you're resting or doing exercise.
Symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Having supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) means your heart suddenly beats faster.
This:
- usually lasts for a few minutes, but can sometimes last for several hours
- can happen several times a day or once a year – it varies
- can be triggered by caffeine, alcohol or drugs – but often there's no obvious trigger
- can happen at any age, but often starts for the first time in children and young adults – many people have their first symptoms between 25 and 40 years old
You may get no other symptoms, but sometimes people also:
- have chest pain or discomfort
- feel weak, breathless, lightheaded or dizzy
- feel tired
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you keep getting a fast heartbeat
It's important to get it checked out. You might need a test, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), to find out what's going on.
Immediate action required: Call 999 if:
- you've been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and your episode has lasted longer than usual
- you have a fast heartbeat with shortness of breath, chest pain or feeling faint
You need to go to hospital for treatment immediately.
Things you can do to help with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
If your episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) only last a few minutes and do not bother you, you may not need treatment.
You can make changes to your lifestyle to reduce your chances of having episodes, such as:
- cutting down on the amount of caffeine or alcohol you drink
- stopping or cutting back on smoking
Your doctor may also be able to recommend some simple techniques to help stop episodes when they happen.
Treating supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in hospital
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is rarely life threatening. But you may need treatment in hospital if you keep having long episodes.
This may include:
- medicines to control the episodes of SVT – given as tablets or through a vein
- cardioversion – a small electric shock to the heart to help it get back to a normal rhythm
- catheter ablation – a treatment where thin tubes are placed through a vein or artery into the affected area in your heart and heat or freezing is used to correct the problem with the electrical system (this permanently cures the problem in most people)
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Page last reviewed: 12 June 2024
Next review due: 12 June 2027