Living With Supraventricular Tachycardia

The occurrence of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can be unpredictable. Sometimes triggers can be identified, but often it's not possible to predict when one will happen.

In general, SVT is not a life-threatening condition and may not affect your quality of life. However, if episodes of SVT happen often, talk with your health care team about treatments that might be able to cure the abnormal heart rhythm.

Prevention

One way to prevent SVT is to work with your health care team to identify triggers that may cause the abnormal heart rhythm. Some common triggers include:

• Alcohol
• Cigarettes
• Caffeine
• Cocaine, methamphetamine
• Stimulants 

Remember to bring a list of all your medications to your health visits. Also, don't use any medications over-the-counter medications or supplements without talking to your health care professional.

It's also important to keep up with regular health visits. If your symptoms get worse, or if you notice anything new, be sure to share those details with your health care team.