Heart rhythm condition
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) in Reseda, CA
Supraventricular tachycardia, often called SVT, is a group of fast heart rhythms that start above the ventricles. A heart rhythm specialist may evaluate possible SVT when symptoms or test results raise that question.
What SVT is
SVT is a general term for certain rapid rhythms that originate in the atria or the electrical pathways near the AV node. Episodes may start and stop suddenly. The exact type of SVT, if present, is determined by a physician using tests — not by this website.
SVT is different from atrial fibrillation, though both can cause a fast or irregular-feeling pulse. Related reading is available on our arrhythmias and AFib pages.
Common symptoms or reasons for evaluation
Some people notice a sudden racing heartbeat, palpitations, chest discomfort, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath during an episode. Others have brief symptoms that are hard to capture on a single EKG.
A physician may recommend monitoring if symptoms suggest a fast rhythm that comes and goes.
Types of SVT named on the original site
Recovered Conditions education named AVNRT (AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia) and AVRT (AV reciprocating tachycardia) as specific SVT patterns, along with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter as related atrial rhythms.
Those patterns are explained on their own pages. A physician, not this website, determines which pattern is present.
How specialists may evaluate SVT
Evaluation may include a history, EKG, and sometimes longer rhythm monitoring. If a fast rhythm is recorded, a cardiologist or electrophysiologist can better identify the pattern.
Additional testing depends on the patient. This page does not confirm whether you have SVT.
Potential treatment approaches
If SVT is diagnosed, a physician may discuss maneuvers, medications, or, for some patients, catheter ablation. The choice depends on how often episodes occur, how they feel, other medical conditions, and patient preference after counseling.
Outcomes vary. No treatment is guaranteed to prevent every future episode.
When to contact a physician
Call the office to ask about evaluation if you have been told you may have SVT or have unexplained racing heart episodes. Seek emergency care for fainting, severe chest pain, or symptoms that feel like a medical emergency.
Why specialized evaluation may help
Because several fast rhythms can feel similar, electrophysiology evaluation may help clarify the diagnosis and the range of options. Please call our Reseda office to ask whether this type of evaluation is appropriate for you.