About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) Causes
Introduction
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a condition characterized by an abnormally fast heart rate that originates above the ventricles in the atria or AV node. It can cause symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath. Understanding the causes of SVT is crucial for effective management and treatment.
Main Causes of SVT
1. Re-entry Circuit Abnormalities
- Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT): A common cause where an extra pathway in the AV node creates a circular electrical impulse.
- Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT): Seen in conditions like Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, where an accessory pathway connects the atria and ventricles.
2. Ectopic Electrical Focus
- Atrial Tachycardia: Occurs when a single abnormal electrical focus in the atria fires impulses at a higher rate than normal.
- Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT): Multiple abnormal electrical signals from different atrial locations cause irregular tachycardia.
3. Triggers and Risk Factors
- Structural Heart Diseases: Conditions such as congenital heart defects or cardiomyopathy can lead to SVT.
- Electrolyte Imbalances: Low levels of potassium or magnesium may provoke abnormal cardiac rhythms.
- Excessive Sympathetic Stimulation: Stress, anxiety, excessive caffeine, or stimulant drugs can trigger SVT episodes.
- Medications: Certain drugs, such as digitalis and beta-agonists, may increase the likelihood of SVT.
- Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid hormones can accelerate heart rate and contribute to SVT.
- Post-Surgical Causes: Patients who have undergone heart surgery, especially for congenital heart defects, may develop SVT.
Conclusion
Supraventricular tachycardia arises due to multiple causes, ranging from structural heart abnormalities to external stimulants. Proper diagnosis through ECG and sometimes electrophysiological studies is essential for appropriate management. Lifestyle modifications, medications, and sometimes catheter ablation are common treatment approaches.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines for the Management of Supraventricular Arrhythmias
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000311
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26399662/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2015/09/23/09/13/2015-ACC-AHA-HRS-Guideline-for-the-Management-of-Adult-Patients-With-SVT
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14557344/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/028ddd505f514ea2b3a4e74bb72e3557.ashx
2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Supraventricular Tachycardia
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/5/655/5556821
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31504425/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2019/09/10/12/36/2019-ESC-Guidelines-for-Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14563598/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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