Supraventricular Tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia is an abnormally fast heartbeat – you have supraventricular tachycardia if your heart rate is over 100 beats per minute. Symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia include:
- Chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Sweating
- A pounding sensation in the neck
- Fainting or near fainting
- Heart failure
To treat supraventricular tachycardia, your doctor will aim to reset the rhythm of your heart to a slower, more normal rhythm. He may do this through an electrical cardioversion, a procedure in which an electric shock is delivered to your heart through paddles. He may also perform a catheter ablation, during which he will use radiofrequency or cryo energy to modify the tissues in your heart that cause an abnormal or fast rhythm. In addition to procedures, your doctor may prescribe medications that will help your heart’s chambers stay at a healthy rhythm.