Conditions & Services / Supraventricular Tachycardia

How does the Heart Conduction System Work?

The heart relies on an electrical signal generated from its own “pacemaker”, the sinoatrial node, and conducted through the right atrium to the “gatekeeper”, the atrioventricular node, which slows the impulse to allow the heart to fill with blood prior to each contraction. The signal then travels down to the bottom chambers of the heart and spreads leftward and   rightward   simultaneously.   Arrhythmias  occur when the electrical signal is disrupted, causing the heart to beat very fast, slow, or erratically.  

What Triggers an Arrhythmia or SVT?

Several triggering factors include:

• Caffeine
• Smoking
• Drug use
• Infection
• Stress
• Physical activity
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Valve Disease
• Heart Failure

What are the Symptoms of SVT?

Rapid pounding sensation in the chest, skipped beats, heart fluttering, lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating.

How is SVT Diagnosed?

Arrhythmias are most commonly diagnosed with a stethoscope and electrocardiogram at the time of symptoms.  If symptoms are not currently present upon presentation to a medical professional, other tests may include:

• Holter Monitor
• Event monitor
• Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR)
• Electrophysiology (EP) Study
• Stress testing
• Coronary angiography
• How is SVT Treated?

Treatment options vary on the severity, persistence, and type of arrhythmia present. Milder forms may require monitoring or medications only.  Severe forms may require:​

• Pacemaker
• ICD
• Electrical cardioversion
• Defibrillation
• Catheter ablation
• often in conjunction with medication.