Supraventricular Tachycardia: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Supraventricular tachycardia refers to a condition where the heart beats at a rate that is abnormally fast. While a normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, SVT is characterized by over 100 beats in a minute. This condition is caused by fluctuating electrical impulses in the heart and often occurs in the upper chambers of the heart. This condition is not considered to be life threatening. However, if you suffer from other cardiac problems, then it can cause problems.

Treating SVT depends largely on whether or not the AV node is involved in the tachycardia. This is because the treatment will then have to take this factor into account. The doctor can prescribe certain medications to you in order to help treat the problem.

When you have SVT, an episode can feel like a racing heart, or a fluttering one. Therefore, it is mildly uncomfortable at best. There is no pain involved in an episode and you certainly do not have to expect any. Some people, however, do end up fainting.

An SVT is diagnosed with the help of an ECG. The results of an ECG can show exactly how many heart beats per minute occur during an SVT episode and also where the episode takes place, which can help with the final treatment. The diagnosis can take a while if your SVT does not have any triggers. You will essentially have to wait till an episode occurs to see what the ECG shows if there is no way of inducing the episode to occur. Therefore, you will need some patience.

Once the SVT has been diagnosed and you have all the information needed, the treatment can begin. The form of treatment to be administered depends on whether the AV node is involved in maintaining the rhythm of the heart. If it is involved, then slowing the conduction through this node can help regulate and control the SVT. However, if it is not involved, then nodal blocking manoeuvres cannot be used as they will not work at all.

If you have regular SVT episodes, you are eligible to seek out the treatment.

If you are suffering from a heart condition or any heart disease, it can be possible that the tachycardia is being caused because of the underlying condition. In this case, seeking treatment for the SVT cannot help you. Your doctor will have to treat the underlying condition first.

There are no side effects.

As is the case with most cardiac issues, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, along with exercising on a regular basis is extremely important. It can help you control the issue and even prevent it from spreading further or becoming more serious.

Once the treatment is administered, you can expect your SVT episodes to start becoming fewer and fewer until they stop.

The price of treatment ranges anywhere from Rs. 50,000 – Rs. 1,00,000.

The results of the treatment are permanent.

There are no alternatives to the medical treatment.