Under normal circumstances, a healthy heart will beat from 60 to 100 times every minute. With supraventricular tachycardia, the heart rate becomes elevated due to problems with the electrical signals in the heart. There are three common forms of supraventricular tachycardia, and understanding each type is crucial to gaining more insight into the health of your heart.
Considered the most common form of supraventricular tachycardia, AVNRT causes the heart to beat abnormally fast, usually over 100 beats per minute. Episodes of rapid heartbeats can come and go suddenly, and most people with the condition do not require treatment. When treatment is necessary, doctors may recommend medications and vagal manoeuvres (which are specific physical actions a person takes to reduce their heart rate). If these medical interventions do not work, catheter ablation can create small spots of scar tissue on the heart to stop abnormal electrical signals.
AVRT is another common form of supraventricular tachycardia that causes an abnormally fast heartbeat that results from extraneous tissues known as an accessory pathway. This extra pathway causes electrical signals in the heart to travel in a loop, which creates additional heartbeats. This condition is often linked to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a congenital heart defect. Mild cases of AVRT can often be addressed with vagal manoeuvres, but more severe symptoms may require catheter ablation.
Atrial tachycardia causes episodes where the heart beats in excess of 100 beats per minute before slowing down to the typical rate of 60 to 80 beats per minute. While this condition can affect virtually anyone, people with existing heart conditions tend to have a higher risk. Additionally, sleep apnoea, diabetes, and other health issues can also increase the chance of experiencing atrial tachycardia. Like other types of supraventricular tachycardia, this condition can be treated with vagal manoeuvres and catheter ablation. However, some people may require a pacemaker to maintain a consistent heart rate.