When exercising or exerting yourself, you may not be surprised by an increase in your heart rate. While sleeping or relaxing with a good book, however, a racing heart can be quite alarming. At rest, there is no reason whatsoever for the heart to pound uncontrollably. This type of event accounts for numerous visits to the emergency room. Once evaluated, what patients may hear is that their racing heart is a symptom of supraventricular tachycardia, also known as SVT.
SVT is a type of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. It results from an abnormality in the electrical impulses that cause the chambers of the heart muscle to contract. These vital electrical impulses originate in the sinoatrial (SA) node that is situated at the top of the right atrium. In the SA, electrical impulses are coordinated to maintain a steady heart rhythm. A malfunction in this node leads to disorganized electrical impulses, resulting in episodes of rapid heart rate reaching beyond 200 beats per minute.
There are various types of SVT, each determined by the area in which the electrical misfire is occurring.
Some patients do not require ongoing treatment for SVT. If the problem recurs frequently, a doctor may prescribe medication that controls heart rhythm. Medication must be taken as directed in order to prevent future SVT episodes. Recurrent SVT may also be treated with catheter ablation. This procedure may eliminate the need to continually rely on medication to sustain a normal heart rhythm. Catheter ablation works by first identifying where the abnormal electrical impulse originates and then by ablating, or heating that tissue so it can no longer produce electrical signals.
Understandably, a racing heart can be a frightening experience, especially when it occurs frequently. SVT can be treated safely and, in most cases, easily. To schedule a consultation with one of our esteemed cardiologists, call 516-437-5600.
