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Supraventricular Tachycardia

Tired, out of breath, feeling like your heart is "off" – these could be signs of supraventricular tachycardia (svt). It's a type of out-of-sync, too-fast heartbeat (arrhythmia). If you're having these feelings, you're probably worried about your heart health. You might even wonder if you're headed for a heart attack or cardiac arrest. 

At UVA Health, we can check your heart and answer any questions you have. Our arrhythmia care was the first of its kind in Virginia. We offer the full range of treatments you may not find elsewhere. And, we've been nationally recognized and received several awards for our heart care. Becker’s Hospital Review named UVA Health’s Heart & Vascular Center to its list of 100 hospitals and health systems with great heart programs.

See other awards and recognition for our heart care.

Sharon Flynn in her ski outfit after getting supraventricular tachycardia treatment

Sharon's SVT Story

On Christmas Day, Sharon Flynn fainted at a friend's house. Her symptoms were caused by supraventricular tachycardia. Her heart was beating too fast. Treating her tachycardia at UVA Health got her back on the slopes.

Supraventricular Tachycardia Treatment at UVA Health

Our heart rhythm program offers personalized care from our deeply experienced team using state-of-the-art equipment. We can provide several options for supraventricular tachycardia treatment, from medicines to advanced procedures. We'll find the supraventricular tachycardia treatment that fits best for you.

Medication

Options include beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or other drugs that lower your heart rate.  

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a very effective treatment. It uses a defibrillator to give you an electric shock. That make your heart go back to a normal rhythm. 

Catheter Ablation

During ablation, doctors guide a small tube, called a catheter, into your heart. The catheter destroys (ablates) a tiny section of your heart that's causing the rhythm problem. This procedure doesn't affect your heart's ability to pump blood.

A provider using a stethoscope on a patient's chest

Turning the Beat Around

Heart feeling out of sync? An ablation procedure changes how electrical signals move through your heart, restoring a normal heart rhythm. If you have supraventricular tachycardia, heart ablation might be the answer to taming it.

What is Supraventricular Tachycardia?

SVT is when the upper parts of your heart don't beat in the normal way. It's an electrical problem. Your heart beats too fast.

Types of supraventricular tachycardia include:

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Atrial flutter
  • AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
  • Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT)
  • Atrial tachycardia

Supraventricular tachycardia is less serious than ventricular tachycardia. But it's a problem if it happens a lot or if you have symptoms like:

  • Racing or pounding heart
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Fainting
  • Chest pain
Heart & Vascular Clinical Trials
Healthy Adults needed for Heart MRI study.

UVa Health System, Department of Radiology seeks healthy adults ages 21 - 85 with no significant medical problems to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the blood flow in the heart muscle in healthy individuals during a stress test. Study involves a blood draw to check kidney function (creatinine) and the volume of red blood cells (hematocrit). A stress test on the heart will be performed using medications and pictures of the heart will be taken by MRI. Study will involve one visit that will last for approximately 2 hours. Study-related cardiac stress MRI scan provided free of charge. Compensation for study completion is $75.00 Contact Information: For more information please contact: • Jayne Missel, Research Coordinator • (434) 243-7195 or [email protected] • IRB-HSR # 15031 Principal Investigator: Christopher Kramer MD

Exercise and diet study for those diagnosed with heart failure

The departments Kinesiology and Cardiology is looking for adults ages =40 who have been diagnosed with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect that 4 weeks of a diet and/or exercise intervention has on heart and vascular health as well as physical fitness. This study involves up to 14 visits over a 4 week period. Those in the diet intervention will work with a dietician and have 4 weeks of meals provided to them. Those in the exercise group will exercise 3 times a week for 4 weeks (12 visits lasting roughly an hour). You will undergo a stress test, echocardiogram, and blood pressure testing before and after the intervention. Study-related echocardiogram, stress test, vascular measures, food, and exercise sessions provided free of charge.

Research study for adults 65 and older with Heart Failure invited to be in an exercise study

The department of Kinesiology seeks adults ages 65 and older with Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) for a research study. The purpose of the study is to determine whether performing a hybrid Cardio-resistance training program (PRIME) results in better health outcomes than the traditional exercise training program used with individuals with heart failure. Exercise training is a proven therapy for prolonging both lifespan and health-span in individuals with HFrEF. You may be eligible for this study if: - You are 65 years and older - Have been diagnosed with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) - Are willing to participate in supervised exercise for 12 weeks. The study involves exercise sessions (biking and lifting weights), blood draws, non-invasive cardiovascular tests, functional fitness tests, questionnaires, and optional muscle biopsies. You will be asked to participate in exercise for a total of 45-48 exercise sessions each lasting around 1 hour over a period of 12 weeks. Total study duration lasts 10 months. Study-related testing are provided at no cost.

CDT research study for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes to study the cardiovascular effects using the Tandem t:slim insulin pump with Control-IQ Technology

The University of Virginia Center for Diabetes Technology is seeking adults 18-40 years old diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for a research study. The purpose of this study is to examine the cardiovascular effects while using the artificial pancreas (AP) technology. This study will examine cardiovascular effects to your heart while using the artificial pancreas (AP) technology. The AP technology is a system of devices that closely mimics the glucose regulating function of a healthy pancreas. It includes an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). In this study, we will use the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tandem t:slim insulin pump with Control-IQ Technology and the FDA approved Dexcom G6 CGM. This study will research if the changes in your blood glucose levels will be reduced and, therefore, reduce some of the cardiovascular biomarkers that represent harmful effects while using the AP. A biomarker is a biological molecule found in blood. If you participate in this study: • you may be asked to wear a Tandem t:slim insulin pump with Control-IQ Technology and a CGM for up to 12 weeks or you will be asked to wear only a CGM for 12 weeks. • you will be asked to provide blood samples taken to measure your heart functioning at five different time points in the study. These blood draws will take about 15 minutes to complete. • You will be asked to complete cardiac testing at two different times in the study. This testing will take less than an hour to complete. The blood samples, cardiac testing, insulin pump supplies and CGM supplies are provided at no-cost. You will need to provide your own insulin.

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