What is SVT?
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a type of irregular heartbeat, also called an arrhythmia. It’s a very fast or erratic heartbeat that affects the heart’s upper chambers. SVT also is called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
The typical heart beats about 60 to 100 times a minute. During SVT, the heart beats about 150 to 220 times a minute. Occasionally it beats faster or slower.
When your heart is beating too fast at rest, it makes it hard to send enough blood to your body. These episodes can start and stop suddenly, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several hours.
Most people with supraventricular tachycardia don’t need treatment. When recommended, treatment may include specific actions or movements, medicines, a heart procedure, or a device to control the heartbeat.
While SVT can feel very unsettling and even frightening for the person experiencing it, it’s generally not life-threatening for otherwise healthy individuals. However, it’s always important to take it seriously and seek medical advice, especially if symptoms are severe or persistent.
What Does SVT Feel Like?
Someone experiencing SVT might describe symptoms such as:
- Palpitations: A feeling that the heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering.
- Shortness of breath: Feeling like they can’t get enough air.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: Due to the heart not pumping enough blood efficiently.
- Chest discomfort or pain: A feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest.
- Fatigue or weakness: Feeling unusually tired.
- Sweating or paleness.
- Fainting or almost fainting.
Tips for Getting the Heart Back into Rhythm (Vagal Maneuvers)
For some individuals, especially if the SVT episode is not severe and has been diagnosed by a doctor, there are specific techniques that can help slow the heart rate and sometimes stop the episode. These are called vagal maneuvers because they stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a role in regulating heart rate.
Vagal maneuvers are a first-line (first choice) treatment for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (fast heart rate) because they’re a low-risk, low-cost way to slow down a heart rate that’s too fast. They can have a 20% to 40% success rate for getting certain fast heart rhythms (more than 100 beats a minute) back to normal rhythms.
Don’t try these yourself without talking to your healthcare provider first. They can teach you the correct and safest way to perform them, and advise on when immediate medical attention is necessary.
Here are some common vagal maneuvers:
Valsalva Maneuver (Bearing Down):
- Have your loved one sit or lie down.
- Ask them to take a deep breath.
- Then, instruct them to bear down as if they are having a bowel movement, keeping their mouth and nose closed, for about 10-15 seconds. It should feel like they are trying to exhale forcefully against resistance.
- After 10-15 seconds, they can relax and breathe normally.
Ice Water Immersion (Diving Reflex):
- Prepare a bowl of ice water.
- Have your loved one take several deep breaths.
- Then, have them quickly immerse their entire face (forehead, eyes, nose, and upper lip – being careful not to cover the mouth) into the ice water for a few seconds (as long as they can comfortably hold their breath).
- Alternatively, an ice-cold, wet towel or an ice pack can be applied to the face.
Coughing Forcefully:
Ask your loved one to cough hard and continuously. This can sometimes disrupt the abnormal rhythm.
Blowing Through a Straw or Into a Balloon:
For older children and adults, blowing forcefully into a straw or trying to inflate a balloon can create pressure that may help.
Who shouldn’t do vagal maneuvers?
Your healthcare provider will only use vagal maneuvers if you’re considered stable. They won’t do vagal maneuvers if you’re unstable, meaning you have:
- Low blood pressure.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- A shortage of oxygen in your body.
- An inability to get enough blood to your organs.
If you’re unstable, your healthcare provider will do cardioversion (using medicine or an electrical shock) instead of vagal maneuvers. Anyone who’s feeling unwell should go to an emergency room or call 911 immediately.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While vagal maneuvers can be helpful, it’s crucial to know when to seek professional medical help. You should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if your loved one experiences:
- Severe chest pain or pressure
- Significant shortness of breath
- Persistent dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- If the SVT episode doesn’t stop after a few attempts at vagal maneuvers
- If your loved one looks very ill or their symptoms are worsening
SVT is usually not life-threatening unless you have heart damage or another heart condition. But if SVT is severe, the irregular heartbeat may cause all heart activity to suddenly stop. This is called sudden cardiac arrest.
What are the risk factors?
Children and adults can get supraventricular tachycardia. Risk factors for SVT include:
- Being female.
- Having anxiety.
- Drinking more alcohol-containing beverages than the suggested limit.
- Using tobacco products.
- Excessive caffeine
- Doing hard physical training.
- Having lung disease, heart issues, thyroid disease, or diabetes.
- Being pregnant.
- Certain over-the-counter medications (e.g., some cold and cough medicines)
- Dehydration
Encouraging a heart-healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise (as advised by their doctor), stress management techniques, and adequate sleep, can all contribute to reducing the frequency of SVT episodes.
As a family caregiver, being informed about SVT empowers you to provide better support and care. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Connect with your loved one’s healthcare team to develop a personalized management plan and don’t hesitate to seek emergency care when needed.
Sources: Mayo Clinic; Cleveland Clinic
We hope this information is helpful to you in the important work you do as a family caregiver.
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