 Health Care Services Hospitals & Facilities Health Information Find a Doctor Why Choose Baptist |
Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)
|
Health Library Topics
|
|
|
|
What is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)? Tachycardia is a very fast heart rate, usually faster than 150 beats per minute. In paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) these fast heart rates come and go. PSVT can start any age, but is most common in people in their 20s and 30s. It is more common in women than in men. It may happen more often during pregnancy. PSVT is rarely life-threatening. You may not need treatment if the attacks are rare, don't last long, and don't cause serious symptoms. If the attacks happen often and last a long time, the heart muscle can get weak. When that happens, the heart does not pump well. How does it occur? There is usually one electrical pathway from the upper to lower chambers of the heart. People with PSVT almost always have an extra electrical pathway. When the electrical charge goes down both pathways at the same time, the heart can beat normally. If the electrical charge goes down the normal pathway faster and then goes back up the extra pathway, it makes the heart beat very fast. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of PSVT may be mild or severe. You may feel a rapid heartbeat or palpitations. Palpitations are feelings of strong heartbeats in your chest or throat. You may feel weak, dizzy, or lightheaded. You may faint. How is it diagnosed? Your health care provider will ask about your medical history, including your symptoms. He or she will examine your heart and lungs. You may have blood tests to check for diseases such as thyroid disease. You may have a chest x-ray. You will have an electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of your heart. Symptoms may not last long enough to show up on an ECG in your provider's office. If your doctor does not observe the rapid heartbeat, you may have to wear a Holter monitor or event recorder to record the heart rate. The Holter monitor is a portable ECG used to detect heart rhythm problems. A study of the electrical path of your heart, called an electrophysiologic study (EPS), can also help locate the source of abnormal heart rhythms. How is it treated? Successful treatment means stopping the fast electrical charge going through the heart. A common treatment is to apply pressure over an artery in your neck (carotid artery) at the angle of the jaw for 3 to 5 seconds. Or you may take a deep breath, hold it, and strain for 3 to 5 seconds. Both of these actions send nerve signals to the heart to slow the electric charge enough to slow the fast heart rate to normal. Once your doctor shows you these methods, you may be able to do them on your own. If PSVT persists, drugs that slow the rate of electrical signals from the upper chamber to the lower chamber of the heart may be used. These medicines may include calcium channel blockers, digoxin, beta-blockers, or antiarrhythmic medicines. People who still have very frequent PSVT or PSVT even after taking medicine may need radiofrequency ablation. Ablation uses high frequency radio waves delivered through a wire placed inside the heart to block abnormal pathways. This usually provides lasting relief from PSVT, and often is the treatment of choice. What can I do to help prevent PSVT? The best prevention is to have a heart-healthy lifestyle. There is no guarantee that you will never have PSVT, but these suggestions may reduce the number of attacks. To be heart healthy:
If you have a spell of PSVT and the recommended treatments do not work after 15 to 30 minutes, call your doctor. If you have severe weakness or faintness, call right away.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File CRD3643F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
 Top of Page |
Baptist Online Read the latest articles about a variety of health subjects, with many practical tips to help you take control of your health.  More
|
| Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist |
| ©2009 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices. | |
 |
In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care. |