Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is episodes of a rapid heart rate that start in a part of the heart above the ventricles. "Paroxysmal" means from time to time.

PSVT; Supraventricular tachycardia; Abnormal heart rhythm - PSVT; Arrhythmia - PSVT; Rapid heart rate - PSVT; Fast heart rate - PSVT

Normally, the chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles) contract in a coordinated manner.

• The contractions are caused by an electrical signal that begins in an area of the heart called the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or SA node).
• The signal moves through the upper heart chambers (the atria) and tells the atria to contract.
• After this, the signal moves down in the heart and tells the lower chambers (the ventricles) to contract.

The rapid heart rate from PSVT may start with events that occur in areas of the heart above the lower chambers (ventricles).

There are a number of specific causes of PSVT. It can develop when doses of the heart medicine, digitalis, are too high. It can also occur with a condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which often causes symptoms in young people and infants.

The following increase your risk for PSVT:

• Alcohol use
• Caffeine use
• Illicit stimulant drug use
• Smoking

Symptoms most often start and stop suddenly. They can last for a few minutes or several hours. Symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Chest tightness
• Palpitations (a sensation of feeling the heartbeat), often with an irregular or fast rate (racing)
• Rapid pulse
• Shortness of breath

Other symptoms that can occur with this condition include:

• Dizziness
• Fainting

PSVT that occurs only once in a while may not need treatment if you don't have symptoms or other heart problems.

You can try the following techniques to interrupt a fast heartbeat during an episode of PSVT:

• Valsalva maneuver. To do this, you hold your breath and strain, as if you were trying to have a bowel movement.
• Coughing while sitting with your upper body bent forward.
• Splashing ice water on your face

You should avoid smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Emergency treatment to slow the heartbeat back to normal may include:

• Electrical cardioversion, the use of electric shock
• Medicines through a vein

Long-term treatment for people who have repeat episodes of PSVT, or who also have heart disease, may include:

• Cardiac ablation, a procedure used to destroy small areas in your heart that may be causing the rapid heartbeat (currently the treatment of choice for most PSVTs)
• Daily medicines to prevent repeat episodes
• Pacemakers to override the fast heartbeat (on occasion may be used in children with PSVT who have not responded to any other treatment)
• Surgery to change the pathways in the heart that send electrical signals (this may be recommended in some cases for people who need heart surgery for other reasons)

PSVT is generally not life threatening. If other heart disorders are present, it can lead to congestive heart failure or angina.

Contact your health care provider if:

• You have a sensation that your heart is beating quickly and the symptoms do not end on their own in a few minutes.
• You have a history of PSVT and an episode does not go away with the Valsalva maneuver or by coughing.
• You have other symptoms with the rapid heart rate.
• Symptoms return often.
• New symptoms develop.

It is especially important to contact your provider if you also have other heart problems.

Published Date: February 27, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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