Supraventricular Tachycardia?
What is it? What causes a 20 year old to get this heart condition? How is it treated treated? Is it a permenant condition that will need treatment for the rest of his life?
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1. Supraventricular- above the ventricular Tachycardia- fast heart rate.
2. Usally the SAN (pacemaker) in the atria regulate the heart. In SVT its like a 'short circuit'. The electrical signals manage to get from the atria into the ventricles but not via the normal method. Therefore you get irregular heart beats. Also another cause may be that some of the cells in your atrium have become more excitable causing mixed signals from this region and your pacemaker.
3. It is common for it to present its first symptoms in childhood or early adulthood so that fits with you being 20.
4. Treatment wise:
- drugs:Extra Adenosine (naturally produced by the body) However if you have asthma your can't have this treatment.
-Beta Blockers will also slow the heart
Other:
- splashing cold water on your face can slow the heart rate. (don't know if it would help in this case)
- just put up with it, as episodes happen infrequently.
Surgery:
- pass a wire via a catheter into your heart and destroy the 'trigger' tissue. After this you would not need medication.
This site looks quite useful: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/supraventricular_tachycardia/article_em.htm (
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I have recently been diagnosed with S.V.T supraventricular tachycardia?
I am 41 and female,I was at work and my heart started to race and my blood pressure dropped.I was taken to hospital and a chest xray and blood tests were done (all came back clear) the episode lasted around an hour,I have had it before but only mild.I don't smoke and don't drink a lot of coffee or alcohol but the doctors want to do a halter moniter and echocardiogram test on me.Is this condition potentially dangerous,I am so sick with worry about it at the moment.
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It is dangerous if you take uppers or any drugs that can increase your heart rate. Stay away from those because it can kill you, maybe not the first time but eventually. If your heart starts to feel weird then you have to relax and try to calm down. You can also get surgery or take medicine for it but the doctors will decide what to do once these tests are over. My boyfriend has SVT. He hasn't been put on medicine for it but he was supposed to be. (
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What is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
Doing some research i was wondering how people get supraventriculartachycardia (SVT)?
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For most, it just happens. SVT is a heart rate above about 150. (
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I'm debating to have catheter ablation for SVT(Supraventricular Tachycardia) Anyone have this done?
If you have it would be greatly appreacited if you could tell me the long terms affects, how are u feeling and so fort..... Thank you
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I have a close Friend that had this done. Basically it all depends if the Doctor can find the right spot.
For my friend it worked and he has been trouble free for the last 5 years. He states that it was like he never had it done. No problems at all.
I hope that what ever you decide to do, you have the best of luck and you are well like my friend.
In the event that you have these episodes prior to the ablation you may consider trying these few simple techniques to break the SVT.
1) vaso vagal - Bear down as if you were having trouble going to the bathroom. If you were a lady I would say as if you are delivering a baby.
2) similar vaso vagal technique is to take a deep breath and cough hard.
3) this is the messy technique called the "Divers responce"
Take a large bowl of cold water place it on the table, have a seat in front of the bowl. You will take a breath and put your face into the cold water. This will often break the SVT as well as the other two. And you get to wash your face at the same time...
Good luck. (
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What is the difference between Atrial Tachycardia and Junctional Tachycardia?
I know that sometimes they fit into the Supraventricular Tachycardia umbrella, but for testing purposes there will be a difference.
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Atrial Tachycardia is basically Sinus Tachycardia where the heart rate is beating so fast that you are not able to see the "P way" (it is buried in the T wave). Once the HR reaches @160 Atrial Tachycardia it is commonly referred to as Supraventricalur Tachycardia (SVT).
Junctional Tachycardia is part of the junctional rhythms as follows: Junctional rhythm HR is 40-60, Accelerated junctional rhythm HR is 60-100 and Junctional Tachycardia HR is greater than 100. Junction rhythms are defined as having a regular rhythm with an absent, inverted or P-wave after the QRS complex. (
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SupraVentricular Tachycardia?
Can someone please give me some more info on this condition? I'm debating on if I want to get a 2nd opinion or not and this is why. I'm 22 years old and I've had some heart issues for about a year now and I went to the cardologist finally back in Aug of 2008 and was supposibly diagnosed with SupraVentricular Tachycardia. That's what he claimed I have after he looked at the results of the 24 hr monitor I had wore. I agreed that I had the condition he said but the more I read about this condition I'm just not sure now if I 100% believe that this is what I have. After being pregnant and giving birth to my son in Aug of 2007 it seems my heart start acting up. Mind you that I had high blood pressure throughout my whole pregnancy, I had to take blood pressure medicine while pregnant then my blood pressure went back to normal after delivering him and I no longer had to take the meds. Anyways....What my heart does is sometimes for weeks at a time my heart will be fine, it will give me no trouble at all then all of a sudden for a few days straight I will have heart palpitations that only lasts for no more than a few seconds, it feels like my heart sorta stops for a split second then flutters real fast for a couple seconds and then that's it, no pain no palpitations lasting for minutes at a time, nothing like that. The reason i'm confused on this condition is because from what it looks like, if you have this condition then your hearts speeds up to 100bpm or more for more than a few seconds, is this correct? It seems like my heart acts up more when i get really full from eating, or when I walk, or when it's really hot outside, and caffeine will sometimes do it and most def stress will cause it to happen. What are all the symptoms of this condition and how serious is it? I'd like to think the Doc is wrong but we'll see. Any info would be appreciated.
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The Holter may very well have shown supraventricular tachycardia, but it doesn't sound like that is the cause of your symptoms. Based on your description, your symptoms are probably due to some premature beats (likely PVCs) which is the usual cause when people feel as if the heart has stopped momentarily. PVCs are common and harmless. Caffeine may be a contributing factor so cut back (if you drink any) and see what happens. (
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Supraventricular Tachycardia and beta blocker?
I have been diagnosed with "Supraventricular Tachycardia" a few months ago when I went to a Cardiologist and I wore the 24 hr monitor. All this year I've had palpitations and a wierd feeling that my heart gets out of rhythm quite a bit. Not lately but usually I also have the feeling that I have to cough and that will usually make the palpitation stop. Sometimes I'll go a week and a 1/2 without feeling the palpitations and sometimes i'll feel it 20 times a day for 3 days straight, it just varies. But what I'm wondering is everything I read about this condition says that it's when you're heart gets up to 150 or more but doesn't say anything about how long. When I have a palpitation it only lasts for a quick second and i may have another one mins or hours later but it only happens real quick so does this still sound like Supraventricular Tachycardia? From what I've read it almost sounds like the palpitations last for mins at a time and that's not what happens to me so i'm confused. Sometimes I think about maybe getting a 2nd opinion but I'm just not sure. Also, they want me to take a beta blocker and I'm only 22 yrs old and really don't want to do that unless i absolutely have to. Does anyone take a beta blocker or have any advice on them? They seem to have alot of bad side effects which I hate! I never had any problems with my heart before I had a baby so I'm thinking either having a baby and having high blood pressure during my whole pregnancy caused me to get this condition or maybe smoking for 6 years in the past caused me to get it, I just don't know. Is this condition really serious or am I ok? Any advice would be appreciated!
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A fellow Yahoo! Answers buddy, Jessica (ref 1), told me checkout your question, and that I might be of help
I'm sorry to hear that you've been having these heart palpitations, and irregularities with your heartbeat. Other possible causes could be a viral infection, alcohol consumption, and bacterial infection (e.g. rheumatic heart disease). Having a baby & high blood pressure could have increased the workload on your heart causing ischemia (not enough oxygenation to heart tissue) leading to death of some of your heart tissue. All of the various etiologies (causes) seem to point to ischemia of the heart tissue as the pathology of this condition. Perhaps the cardiac pacemaker is damaged in the process. I'm not too certain.
As for the beta blocker, I have only good things to say about it. I'm 26 years old, and I have been using atenolol for 3-4 years for pre-hypertension (BP ~ 130/90), and heart palpitations. The only major side-effect you have to lookout for is an increase in glucose/lipid metabolism. It could raise your LDL and cholesterol levels (unknown mechanism). If you're not overweight, don't have a family history of diabetes, have a healthy diet, and exercise properly, this should not be a problem. Many of the other problems (e.g. cold extremities, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure, etc) is simply because the drug decreases heart rate, and contractility. If you don't overdose on the drug, and find a proper amount, these really shouldn't be a problem. If you take atenolol or metaprolol (usually the ones starting with the letter a-m), they are beta-1 selective, and should not cause respiratory problems like bronchospasm, dyspnea, nausea (beta-2 blocker will cause these problems, drugs starting with letter after 'm' usually are beta non-selective; they block beta-1 & beta-2; try not to take these). Wikipedia mentions heart failure and heart block as possible side-effects (ref 2), but again, that's from over-dosing from this drug or if your heart has lost pumping ability.
I am expecting to take beta blockers the rest of my life, and do not expect any long-term adverse effects (e.g. liver damage, kidney damage, heart failure) with this drug. I think it has a good long-term track record of usage.
Your other option would be a calcium channel blocker like verapamil or diltiazem. (I have heard verapamil is great.) You would have to discuss this with your cardiologist. There is a note in emedicine that calcium channel blockers may cause cardiac arrest for patients with WPW (wolff-parkinson white syndrome). (ref 3) Again, sounds like a scary adverse affect (cardiac arrest), but in the long-run these medications may actually reduce cardiac arrhythmias and prolong your life (reduce further damage to heart tissue). Everytime you have these arrhythmias, the stress to your heart may cause further damage.
When/if you decide to take beta-blockers, check your blood pressure regularly to make sure it's not too high or too low. Also, try to remember taking it regularly because it can cause rebound hypertension.
Oh, and lastly, for your diagnosis, there are various types of superventricular tachycardia (see ref 3). This may be the source of confusion. You may want to find out what type. Either way, the management with beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or both is warranted.
Good luck! (
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My Supraventricular Tachycardia is acting up, can I still work out?
I was diagnosed with a supraventricular tachycardia almost a year ago, and since i've been on medication I've not really had a problem. Some days are better than others, and when I go to the gym I have to gauge myself. Most days I can run around 5 miles without a problem at all, but some days I can hardly squeeze out a mile without feeling like I'm going to pass out.
Today and yesterday have both been very bad days. My heart hasn't been racing but it is "skipping beats" pretty regularly. On the advice of my husband I didn't go to the gym yesterday, not wanting to stress my heart too much, and hoping I'd be able to go to today. But today isn't any better, in fact it may be worse. So, I was wondering if I shoud sit out another session or if I would be fine to go.
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Generally speaking if your arrhythmia has been treated and is under good control your workout should not be a problem. If, as it seems, this skipping represents a change and a trend somewhat for the worse, ask your cardiologist to order a cardiac stress test. There is no better way to evaluate the safety of your workout then to exercise in a comparably vigorous way in a controlled environment with your heart carefully monitored. Depending on the outcome your doctor can clear you to go crazy in the gym, or alternatively tweak your current regimen for better control. (
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I have Supraventricular Tachycardia or Sinus Tachycardia... can someone help me?
I had chemo a few years ago as a result I was told I now have either Supraventricular Tachycardia or Sinus Tachycardia... they are still doing tests to find out which one, but I am 20 yrs old and I am so sick of 120 bpm... right now they have me on beta blockers, but I am still having episodes. Can someone help me in a why I can get rid the spells? Also when I have a spell (light headiness, dizzy, neasua, achyness, headache, shortness of breath, and a bpm of 140 +) should I wait it out (like 20 min or so) or should I go to the ER. I have only had like 3 -4 episodes (one I loss control of my arms and legs because of lack of oxygen) HELP PLZ! TY!
right now, but dr. is holding off making the dosage higher because they are still running tests.
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It depends which one you have. If you have SVT, then medication such as beta-blockers, verapamil etc are the best way to go. If beta-blockers are causing issues, then they can change your medication and find one to suit. Medication should prevent attacks. If tests can identify an exact site of the trigger, catheter ablation would be the best option and if successful, you would be medication free.
If you have an episode that doesn't resolve on it's own then go to ER. If it's still persisting for 1-2 hours, go to Hospital. They will inject you with Adenosine which blocks the electrical impulses in the heart. If you cannot tolerate Adenosine, then Verapamil is an alternative. This will generally stop the episode.
You really need to be traced during an episode of SVT because in between episodes your ECG will probably be normal. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Actually, if you haven't been properly diagnosed yet, next time you have an episode (if it's a lengthy one) go to ER and ask them to do an SVT ECG. This will generally confirm or exclude SVT. (
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What causes Paroxysmal supraventricular (atrial) tachycardia(PSVT)?
I think I might have Paroxysmal supraventricular (atrial) tachycardia ( PSVT ) . It is when the heart rate increases and beats 160 to 220 beats per minute. For me, it would last for a minute but it occurs unexpectedly during the day. Sometimes I'm not even moving and it starts beating like crazy. I walk downstairs and go to bed and wen I lay down, it starts beating rapidly. Or when I bend down to pick something up, it starts doing it again.
I'm 18 and I don't do drugs and I eat quite healthy. I work - out once a week (maybe it's not enough LOL) SO my question is... What's causing my heart to beat so fast? Is it serious? Will it worsen as I age? How can I prevent it?
It really frightens me when it starts beating fast. I think about how I'm near having a heart attack! Anyways I hope you guys can help me out. THANKS SO MUCH!
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Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia may be triggered by a premature heartbeat that repeatedly activates the heart at a fast rate. This repeated, rapid activation may be caused by several abnormalities. There may be two electrical pathways in the atrioventricular node (an arrhythmia called atrioventricular nodal reentrant supraventricular tachycardia). There may be an abnormal electrical pathway between the atria and the ventricles (an arrhythmia called atrioventricular reciprocating supraventricular tachycardia)as in the case of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.. Much less commonly, the atria may generate abnormal rapid or circling impulses (an arrhythmia called true paroxysmal atrial tachycardia).
This may be induced by premature atrial or ventricular ectopic beats. Other triggers include digitalis toxicity hyperthyroidism and stimulants, including caffeine, drugs, and alcohol.
You must know that PSVT can occur in an otherwise normal heart. As a matter of fact it is not serious in a person with normal heart.
Episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia often can be stopped by one of several maneuvers that stimulate the vagus nerve and thus decrease the heart rate. You can try:
# straining as if having a difficult bowel movement. Or
# plunging the face into a bowl of ice-cold water. Or
# rubbing the neck just below the angle of the jaw (which stimulates a sensitive area on the carotid artery called the carotid sinus). This should be tried only after getting trained by medical staff.
Finally, there are surgical means to treat this. But in your case it may not come to that. Cheers (
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