How To Diagnose and Treat Supraventricular Tachycardia?

Diagnosis

Your doctor will review your symptoms and your medical history and conduct a physical examination first.

Heart-monitoring tests specific to arrhythmia may be performed:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the timing and duration of each electrical phase in your heartbeat.
• Holter monitor to record your heart’s activity as you go about your routine.
• Event monitor to check your heart rhythm at the time of your symptoms.
• Echocardiogram to produce images of your heart’s size, structure and motion.
• Implantable loop recorder to detect abnormal heart rhythms.

If an arrhythmia is not found, tests that may conduct include:

• Stress test.
• Tilt table test.
• Electrophysiological testing and mapping.

Treatment

Most people with supraventricular tachycardia do not require medical treatment. If your situation is prolonged or frequent, the following may be recommended:

• Carotid sinus massage to release certain chemicals that slow the heart rate.
• Vagal maneuvers which affect the nervous system that controls your heartbeat (vagus nerves), often causing your heart rate to slow.
• Cardioversion in which a shock current affects the electrical impulses in your heart and can restore a normal rhythm.
• Medications to control your heart rate or restore a normal heart rhythm.
• Catheter ablation to damage (ablate) a small spot of heart tissue and create an electrical block along the pathway that’s causing your arrhythmia.
• Pacemaker (rare) to emit electrical impulses that stimulate your heart to beat at a normal rate.