DO IT URSELF STEPS IN S.V.T(SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA)

Introduction;

 
 
Supraventricular tachycardia is one type of heart rhythm disorder.

• Tachycardias are rhythm disorders in which the heart beats faster than normal.
• Supraventricular means "above the ventricles," in other words, originating from the atria, the upper chambers of the heart.
• Supraventricular tachycardia, then, is a rapid heartbeat originating in the atria.
• These are sometimes referred to as atrial tachycardias. However, the atrioventricular (AV) node may be involved directly or indirectly, so AV nodal tachycardias are also included in this category.

Nerve impulses and the level of hormones in your blood influence the rate of heart contraction. A problem in any of these areas can cause abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia or dysrhythmia).
In supraventricular tachycardia, the heart rate is sped up by an abnormal electrical impulse starting in the atria.

• The heart beats so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax between contractions.
• When the chambers don't relax, they cannot contract strongly or fill with enough blood to satisfy the body's needs.
• Because of the ineffective contractions of the heart, the brain does not receive enough blood and oxygen. You can become light-headed, dizzy, or feel like fainting (syncope).

Supraventricular tachycardia can be found in healthy young children, in adolescents, and in people with underlying heart disease. Most people who experience it live a normal life without restrictions.

Supraventricular tachycardia often occurs in episodes with stretches of normal rhythm in between. This is usually referred to as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (often abbreviated PSVT). Supraventricular tachycardia also may be chronic (ongoing, long term).

Causes of SVT?

Causes of SVT include pain, fear, anxiety, exercise, caffeine or alcohol consumption, nicotine, myocardial ischemia or infarction, conduction system disease, hypoxia, shock, electrolyte imbalance, thyrotoxicosis, digitalis toxicity, pulmonary or valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, overdose of tricyclic antidepressants, antiarrhythmic medications, and heart failure.

Symptoms of SVT?

Symptoms can come on suddenly and may go away without treatment. They are caused for a reason other than stress, exercise, or emotion. They can last a few minutes or as long as 1 or 2 days, sometimes continuing until treated. The rapid beating of the heart during SVT can make the heart a less-effective pump, decreasing cardiac output and blood pressure. The following symptoms are typical with a rapid pulse of 150–251 or more beats per minute:

• Pounding heart
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness (in serious cases)
• Numbness of various body parts

Diagnostic Tests;

• ECG
• 2D ECHO
• Stress Test
• Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Angiography
• Electrophysiological Study
• Blood Tests

Treatment;

There are many treatments available for SVT. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms. Your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you.
The aim of treatment is to control your heart rhythm and rate, and reduce your risk of heart failure. You may not need any treatment at all, especially if your symptoms are mild.

Medical treatment;

There are several different types of medicine that can help control your heart rate and rhythm, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and anti-arrhythmic medicines.
Your doctor may prescribe a combination of any of these medicines. You may have to take them for just a short period until you have other treatments such as electrical (DC) cardioversion to restore your heart rhythm, or you may have to take them for months or years. Alternatively, you may be given medicine to take just when you get symptoms.
If your symptoms come on suddenly, you may be given anti-arrhythmics, as tablets or through a vein to try and get your heart rhythm back to normal (this is called chemical or medical cardioversion), and is usually given within 48 hours of having symptoms

Home Self Treatment-

In most cases, you might attempt the following simple maneuvers, called vagal maneuvers, to assist your body in slowing your heart rate.

Valsalva Maneuver



• Valsalva:  Lying down, take in a breath and blow hard but don't let breath come out of chest.  Hold nose and close mouth if necessary and strain down hard as if to move bowels for about 5 seconds.

• Eyeball pressure: Lying down, rub both eyes through closed eyelids firmly enough to hurt a little for about 3 seconds.

• Cold water:  Immersing your face in cool water for 5-10 seconds.       

• Hold your breath for a few seconds

• Carotid sinus massage, carried out by firmly pressing the bulb at the top of one of the carotid arteries in the neck, is effective but is often not recommended due to risks of stroke in those with plaque in the carotid arteries.

If these maneuvers do not work, lie down and relax. Take some slow, deep breaths. Often, your heart will slow by itself.