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Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care, including Electrophysiology*
- See a cardiac specialist in as little as 24 hours**
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family***
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SUPERVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA AT HCA HEALTHCARE UK
Why choose us?
We’re committed to offering the very highest standards of cardiac care. It’s why we’re rated no.1 in the UK for cardiac and electrophysiology treatment, and why over 99% of our cardiac patients would be happy to recommend us to their family and friends.
Over 200 experienced cardiologists work across our hospitals, supported by clinical nurse specialists, radiographers and more. Those dedicated, expert teams treat over 26,000 cardiac patients a year, using the very latest techniques and technology, so you can be sure you’ll be in experienced hands.
Over 200 experienced cardiologists work across our hospitals, supported by clinical nurse specialists, radiographers and more. Those dedicated, expert teams treat over 26,000 cardiac patients a year, using the very latest techniques and technology, so you can be sure you’ll be in experienced hands.
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that causes a sudden and rapid increase in your heartbeat. Your normal resting heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM). If your BPM is over 100, it’s abnormally fast.
If you have SVT, you may not experience any symptoms at all. But a telltale sign is if your heart suddenly starts to race, then quickly returns to its normal rhythm. Other common symptoms might include:
- A fluttering or pounding feeling in your chest or neck
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling weak, tired or fatigued
- Chest pain or angina
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling sick
SVT is trickier to diagnose in children and infants. Some symptoms to look out for are:
- Excessive sweating
- Pale skin
- A reduced appetite
- An unusually fast pulse
SVT is caused by an electrical abnormality in the middle of your heart or the upper chambers of your heart (atria). The term ‘SVT’ actually covers several different heart conditions that can occur at any age, from babies in the womb to adults in old age.
Your irregular heart rhythm can be caused by two main types of SVT:
1. Re-entrant SVT
This is the most common type of SVT. It’s caused by an electrical signal getting stuck in a loop within the upper chambers of your heart, which causes your heart to contract too quickly.
There are two different types of re-entrant SVT:
Atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT): This is the most common type of re-entrant SVT. It’s caused by an extra pathway near your AV node, which controls the lower chambers of your heart (ventricles). AVNRT causes the electrical signal to go around your AV node in an abnormal loop. Young women are most at risk, but it can affect anyone.
Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT): This type of re-entrant SVT is more common in children. It happens if you’re born with an extra electrical connection between the upper and lower chambers of your heart. This causes the electrical signals to travel through an accessory pathway, bypassing your AV node.
AVRT is an underlying cause of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
2. Automatic SVT
Automatic SVT is less common than re-entrant SVT. It happens when your heart tissue doesn’t function properly, which makes your atria contract too quickly.
There are multiple types of this SVT:
Atrial tachycardia: In this type of SVT, your heart’s upper chambers send abnormal electrical signals that make your heart contract too quickly and beat too fast. It’s more common if you’ve had heart failure or lung diseases.
Sinus nodal re-entrant tachycardia (SNRT): This form of SVT is rare. It’s caused by an electrical signal getting stuck in a loop in the sinoatrial (SA) node, in your right atrium. It can lead to a heart rate of 100-150 bpm. It's more likely to be found if you’ve got a structural heart disease, but it's uncommon.
Other types of automatic SVT include:
- Sinus tachycardia: Sinus tachycardia is usually a stress response that causes a rapid heart rate, which returns to normal when the stress is over. It’s often caused by fear, exercise or dehydration.
- Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST): This is a clinical syndrome that causes your resting heart rate to go above 100 BPM without any reasonable explanation. The underlying cause of IST is disputed, but it’s thought to be triggered by an abnormality in your heart's natural pacemaker, the sinus node.
- Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT): MAT is more likely if you’ve had respiratory diseases (such as COPD) or congestive heart failure. It's also not uncommon to experience MAT if you have cancer or renal disease.
- Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET): JET is an abnormal heart rate caused by your AV node, often found in children and adolescents.
Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are also types of SVT. However, these are usually seen as separate conditions, because they’re linked with other risk factors. Find out more about atrial fibrillation and atrial flutters.
Some cases of supraventricular tachycardia have obvious causes, such as vigorous exercise, stress or a lack of sleep.
Some other common causes of SVT can be:
- Lung disease
- Consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
- Drug use, or taking other stimulants that can cause your heart to beat faster
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Thyroid disease
- Medications for asthma and cold and allergy drugs
SVT can cause unconsciousness or even a cardiac arrest, so it's important to speak to a doctor right away if you’re experiencing symptoms.
Concerned about your heart rate?
Talk to one of our cardiac team.
100+
heart rhythm specialist consultants
26,000+
cardiac patients treated every year
15
diagnostic centres and five hospitals dedicated to cardiac care
Exceptional facilities
with state-of-the-art technology
Rapid diagnostic capabilities
with results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-ranging care across the UK
Dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham
Think you might have SVT?
See a cardiac specialist and get an expert diagnosis
Have a referral letter and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
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SVT TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
Get diagnosed quickly and accurately
If you’re concerned about your heart rhythm, you can get access to some of the UK’s leading cardiac specialists within 24 hours. They’ll use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to assess your condition, get results within 48 hours, and help guide you to the most effective treatment.
Your consultant will ask a few questions about your symptoms, such as how often you've felt signs of SVT and if anything feels abnormal, and they’ll discuss your family medical history. Then you’ll have a physical examination.
If your consultant thinks you have SVT, there are several tests to help identify it:
Your consultant will ask a few questions about your symptoms, such as how often you've felt signs of SVT and if anything feels abnormal, and they’ll discuss your family medical history. Then you’ll have a physical examination.
If your consultant thinks you have SVT, there are several tests to help identify it:
SVT TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Get expert care and advice
Treatment for your SVT depends on your specific condition and any underlying causes, but you’ll be treated by a specialist cardiac consultant, backed up by a dedicated team. We treat more cardiac patients than any other UK health provider, so you can be assured you’re in safe hands.
Depending on your condition and the results of your tests, your consultant may recommend the following treatments:
- Vagal manoeuvres
- SVT medication
- Electrical cardioversion
- Catheter ablation
- Pacemaker
Your consultant might also recommend a combination of lifestyle changes that can help manage your condition.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
A fast heart rhythm is the main symptom of SVT. If you think you might be suffering from supraventricular tachycardia, you can test your heart rate at home by taking your pulse. To do this, you’ll need to:
- Rest for five minutes or more and avoid caffeine. This is to ensure your reading is as accurate as possible.
- Then press your index and middle finger onto the thumb side of your opposite wrist. If you can't find your pulse in your wrist, you can press your index and middle finger to the side of your Adam's apple in the soft, hollow area of your neck.
- Count the number of beats in 30 seconds.
- Multiply this number by two to find out your BPM.
If your heartbeat regularly speeds up, or you get any of the symptoms listed on this page you should make an appointment with your GP so they can carry out some tests or refer you to a specialist. Because SVT symptoms can be very similar to other heat conditions, it’s important to get diagnosed quickly and begin the right treatment.
Our private GP service has same-day appointments available and can help you see a cardiac specialist within 24 hours.
Our private GP service has same-day appointments available and can help you see a cardiac specialist within 24 hours.
If you’ve had an isolated incident of SVT, it’s usually nothing to worry about. But a fast heart rate can be a sign of a medical emergency.
Call 999 if:
- You have been diagnosed with SVT and your heart rate has been raised for over 30 minutes
- You have chest pain that spreads to your arms, shoulders and jaw
- You're suddenly short of breath
SVT is the most common type of irregular heartbeat in younger people. It's also more common in women, especially during pregnancy, but SVT can happen to anyone.
Some activities and conditions can increase your risk of getting SVT:
- Ageing: Some types of SVT are more common as you get older.
- Electrolyte imbalances: If your body doesn’t have enough potassium and magnesium, this can disrupt electrical conduction in your heart and trigger SVT.
- Heart diseases or past heart surgery: Coronary artery disease, heart failure, or damage to your heart during an operation can cause SVT.
- Congenital heart disease: If you've been diagnosed with a heart condition since birth, it may result in a fast heartbeat.
- Thyroid disease: An underactive or overactive thyroid can affect your blood pressure and alter how your sinus node operates.
- Sleep apnoea: High blood pressure and sleep apnoea share several underlying causes, with symptoms that can lead to SVT.
- Diabetes: People with uncontrolled diabetes are at risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease, including SVT.
- Smoking and drugs: Frequent use of nicotine or illegal drugs may raise your heart rate and exacerbate symptoms of SVT.
If you understand what triggers your irregular heartbeat, you’ll be able to manage you SVT more effectively. It's a good idea to keep a diary so you can record your heart rate, your symptoms, and any activities that might have triggered your STV.
There are some simple ways to reduce your risk:
- Be cautious with any medication you take. For example, some over-the-counter medicines can trigger a rapid heartbeat.
- Reduce your caffeine intake. It’s a stimulant, and it raises your heart rate, so don’t consume large amounts.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet, one that’s rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes and nuts. You should also limit the quantity of sweets, red meats, fatty processed foods and sugar you eat.
- Give up or cut down on smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Manage your stress levels
Our patients' stories
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
“The staff were incredible. They are the best. Every step was explained…”
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- * Based on national private cardiac volumes. The Private Healthcare Information Network.
- ** Based on availability across all HCA UK facilities.
- *** Based on our patient satisfaction survey at HCA UK hospitals.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.