About this topic
Normally, your heart beats about 60 to 100 times each minute. Sometimes, your heart may beat very fast for a short period of time. Your heart may beat between 150 and 250 beats per minute. This is known as a paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or PSVT. It most often happens in episodes with periods of normal heart rate in between. ‚
PSVT can happen to healthy, young people and in some people with heart disease. Most people who have PSVT can live a normal life without limits on activities. Your doctor may try different things to lower your heart rate. Your doctor may also treat this illness with: ‚
- Drugs
- Electric shock
- Pacemaker
- Radiofrequency catheter ablation
- Surgery
What care is needed at home?
- Your care at home will depend on how the doctor has treated your PSVT. You may need to learn how to care for your pacemaker, cut site, or other treatment method.
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Lower your stress. Find and do things that help you relax.
- Do not smoke. Talk to your doctor if you need help with ways to stop smoking.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need to have more treatment. Talk with your doctor about this. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid caffeine. It is in many kinds of coffee, tea, soda pop, chocolate, and energy drinks.
What problems could happen?
- More risk of heart failure. Your heart cannot pump as well or fill with and deliver as much oxygen when it is beating so fast.
- Heart attack
- Fainting
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Problems breathing while at rest or with a little movement
- Swollen feet or ankles
- Pain in your belly that feels like heartburn
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
Ask your doctor if it is safe to use a method called Valsalva maneuver to help when you have a fast heartbeat. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what situations and activities I should avoid.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack.
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/AboutArrhythmia/Tachycardia_UCM_302018_Article.jsp ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚