Some people experience faster than normal heartbeats, which is a condition known as supraventricular arrhythmia. While an elevated heart rate does not always carry health risks, some people with this condition experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and light-headedness. If you have a supraventricular arrhythmia, understanding why they happen can help you better manage your health.
The electrical signals that cause the heart to beat begin in cells located within the upper right chamber of the heart. From there, the signals travel to the AV node, which decreases their speed before they make their way down to the lower chambers of the heart.
With supraventricular arrhythmias, the signals may not slow down upon reaching the AV node. Defects in the heart may also contribute to extra beats, which is why people with this condition can experience a heart rate as fast as 150 to 220 beats per minute.
Supraventricular arrhythmias can affect just about anyone, but some people have a higher risk than others. These risk factors can increase the chances of experiencing an elevated heart rate:
If you are concerned about your risk of arrhythmia, talk to your doctor about the above risk factors and whether they are relevant to you.
Not all supraventricular arrhythmias require treatment. In fact, most people do not experience ill-effects with this condition. If treatment is required, medication and surgical procedures can usually correct the issue. People with supraventricular arrhythmias can also experience benefits with the following lifestyle changes:
You cannot prevent supraventricular arrhythmias from occurring, but a healthy lifestyle can substantially lower your risk of more serious complications.