The heart is composed of four upper and lower chambers. With supraventricular arrhythmias, the upper chambers of the heart experience a rapid heartbeat due to abnormalities in electrical signalling. While not always serious, some instances of supraventricular arrhythmia can lead to major heart issues.
While this condition is caused by faulty electrical signalling within the heart, it is not always clear why some people experience supraventricular arrhythmias. Certain triggers can sometimes affect how the heart beats, including:
Certain medical conditions, such as heart and lung disease, can also increase the risk of rapid heartbeat, as can being pregnant.
Supraventricular arrhythmias can be identified by a rapid heartbeat, which can range from 150 to 220 times per minute. Other symptoms include:
For the most part, supraventricular arrhythmia is not linked to serious health effects. However, severe cases and underlying health conditions can render the condition life-threatening and may even result in cardiac arrest. Prolonged bouts of rapid heartbeat (meaning those that last longer than a few minutes) or the presence of symptoms like chest pain and problems breathing requires immediate assistance.
Doctors use a combination of physical exam, vital sign assessment, and testing when diagnosing supraventricular arrhythmia. As for treatment, certain medications can regulate the heart rate when a person experiences rapid heartbeat on a regular basis. There are also therapeutic approaches that involve massaging the neck (carotid sinus massage) or performing certain actions (vagal manoeuvres).
In some cases, implantation of a pacemaker may be necessary to control a person’s heart rate. A procedure called catheter ablation can also stop the signals causing rapid heartbeat. In the event that emergency care is necessary, doctors will use a special device called a defibrillator to correct the rhythm of the heart.