Supraventricular tachycardia – symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment

Supraventricular tachycardia is a heart rhythm disorder that can affect patients’ quality of life and requires appropriate medical care. In the following article, we will discuss what exactly supraventricular tachycardia is, its causes, symptoms, and methods of diagnosis and treatment.

What is supraventricular tachycardia?

Supraventricular tachycardia, also called supraventricular tachycardia, is a type of heart rhythm disorder that is characterized by a fast and irregular heartbeat. It usually comes from an area of the heart called the atria, hence the name “supraventricular.”

Causes of supraventricular tachycardia

There are many factors that can contribute to the development of supraventricular tachycardia. One of the main reasons is excessive stimulation of the atria of the heart, which may be caused by:

• Stress
• Smoking tobacco
• Abusing alcohol or caffeine
• Electrolyte disorders
• Heart diseases
• Atrial hypertrophy
• Heart injury

It is worth emphasizing that supraventricular tachycardia can occur in both young and older patients and is not always associated with the presence of any disease.

Symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia and its diagnosis

Symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia can vary and include:

• Heart palpitations
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Heart contractions of increased frequency
• Dyspnoea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

To make a diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia, your doctor may use a variety of diagnostic methods, including electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and Holter monitoring.

Ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia – what are the differences between them?

It is important to distinguish supraventricular tachycardia from ventricular tachycardia, which originates in the heart chambers. The main differences between them are the place of origin and the characteristics of the ECG recording. Ventricular tachycardia is usually more dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.

How is supraventricular tachycardia treated?

Treatment of supraventricular tachycardia can be varied and depends on many factors, including the causes and severity of symptoms. The main treatments include:

• Pharmacological treatment – use of antiarrhythmic drugs
• Cardioablation – a procedure that aims to remove the source of tachycardia
• Control risk factors such as stress and substance abuse

Each case is individual, so the doctor decides on the best approach to treatment based on tests and diagnosis.

Your suggestions

If you suspect that you are suffering from supraventricular tachycardia or are experiencing symptoms of heart rhythm disturbances, consult your doctor immediately. Regular heart checkups and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent this condition.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about heart rhythm disorders, we recommend reading articles such as “Cardiac arrhythmias – causes, symptoms and treatment” and “Cardioablation – a method of treating cardiac arrhythmias”.