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Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

Answers to questions about supraventricular tachycardia

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

What is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is caused by a structural abnormality in the heart - there is an abnormal connection between the atria and ventricles (upper and lower chambers of the heart). This puts the affected person at risk of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and atrial fibrillation.

Explanation

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome happens when the upper and lower chambers of the heart don't separate properly when a baby is developing in the womb. This leads to an abnormal connection forming between the atria and the ventricles, called an accessory pathway.

In a normal heart, the electrical impulses travel only in one direction, from the upper to the lower chambers through a junction box called the atrioventricular (AV) node. However, in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, the accessory pathway creates a circuit, allowing the impulses to travel back up to the atria, and activate them before the next heartbeat. This results in SVT.

If you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, you may get symptoms due to SVT. However you may not even know you have the condition unless it happens to show up on an ECG test. If you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, your ECG test will appear abnormal even when you have a normal heart rhythm.

Wolff-Parkinson-White can be treated with anti-arrhythmic medicines or with a procedure called catheter ablation.

Sources

  • Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005:342-343
  • Esberger D, Jones S, Morris F. ABC of clinical electrocardiography: Junctional tachycardias. BMJ 2002; 324:662-665
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How long does it take to recover from catheter ablation?

Most people recover quickly from catheter ablation, feeling well enough to carry out normal activities the next day.

Explanation

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it involves making only a small puncture in your groin. It's carried out under local anaesthetic and sedation, so all feeling from your groin will be blocked and you will feel relaxed, without being put to sleep. You should be able to go home on the same day as the procedure, or the day after.

You should avoid any heavy lifting for about two weeks after a catheter ablation, and you should not drive for one week. You may want to take a few days off work to fully recover.

Catheter ablation is normally successful in a high proportion of people who have it for supraventricular tachycardia. However, some people need to have the procedure more than once before they are cured.

Sources

  • Catheter ablation information. Arrhythmia Alliance. www.heartrhythmcharity.org.uk, accessed 9 April 2008
  • Palpitation. British Heart Foundation, January 2005, Health information series number 14. www.bhf.org.uk
  • Kumar P, Clark M. Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. Elsevier, 2005:770-776
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What is sinus tachycardia?

Sinus tachycardia means your heart is beating in a normal, regular rhythm, but too fast (above 100 beats per minute). It is not related to supraventricular tachycardia.

Explanation

Everyone's heart can beat faster or slower than normal at times, depending on whether you are active or resting, if you are ill, and a number of other factors. If the heart is beating fast but at a regular rate, it is called sinus tachycardia. This is a normal heart rhythm and does not mean you have an arrhythmia or there is anything wrong with your heart.

Certain things that can speed up your heart rate include:

  • physical activity
  • being frightened
  • having an overactive thyroid gland
  • having a fever
  • pregnancy

Sources

  • Palpitation. British Heart Foundation, January 2005, Health information series number 14. www.bhf.org.uk
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

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