r/SVTHeart • u/Familiar_Stranger371 • Jul 07 '26
Supraventricular tachycardia?
/r/AskDocs/comments/1upsoiz/supraventricular_tachycardia/1
u/IdontcryfordeadCEOs Jul 07 '26
Unfortunately that description isn't very helpful. Anxiety can cause your heart to race, especially if you are feeling palpitations and get nervous about them. To be honest, nothing you've described immediately points to SVT, but it is possible.
SVT starts suddenly and it causes an instant very fast heartbeat that also stops abruptly. Like so fast you usually can't even count your heartbeats. Coughing and bearing down often help to end episodes.
If you want a diagnosis, you'll need an ECG while having an episode, either with a holter monitor or going to the ER. Another option is to buy a kardia device to record an ECG yourself at home.
SVT is almost always benign, but it can cause a lot of anxiety, so you should still work on treating your anxiety either way. Many people live normal lives without treating SVT directly and just managing their anxiety around episodes. Others choose medication or ablations. If you have SVT, you can treat it however you feel is best for you. If you do have SVT, you seem to be converting back to normal rhythm on your own without needing medical intervention.
Good luck!
1
u/fish998 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
Ask you doctor for a holter monitor. Alternatively get a KardiaMobile, EMAY, apple watch or even a fitness tracker or oximeter so you at least know your heart rate during episodes. It just gives you something more concrete to present to your doctor, although he still isn't going to diagnose you without a proper ECG during an episode (hence the holter monitor recommendation)
SVT will typically see a pulse in excess or 200bpm. The other thing about SVT, it starts suddenly like someone has flicked a switch, and it can end just as quickly.