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When fast rhythms arise from the upper chambers (atria) of the heart, we classify them as
supraventricular tachycardias.
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There are many different kinds of supraventricular tachycardias. Some of these occur in patients who have nothing else
wrong with their hearts. Some occur because of extra abnormal electrical pathways that are present at birth. Still
others occur because of hypertension or other heart disease. Many of the supraventricular tachycardias are irritating
because of the symptoms they produce, but they usually are not dangerous. Others, however, are more serious.
Your doctor can explain the differences and the options you have for treatment.
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The most common fast rhythms that arise from the atria are rhythms called atrial fibrillation
and atrial flutter. These two rhythms are close "cousins" of each other. If you have atrial fibrillation or flutter, you may
feel fast, irregular heartbeats, or you may notice shortness of breath or even chest discomfort. These rhythms can result in
heart rates between 100 and 200 beats per minute. They can be temporary and last only a few seconds or minutes, or be more long
lasting and require treatment to convert them back to normal. This conversion can sometimes be accomplished with medication,
but at other times may require a procedure called cardioversion. During cardioversion, an electrical shock is applied across
the chest to the heart to reset the abnormal electrical conduction path back to normal. In order to do the procedure without
discomfort, you are given medication that puts you to sleep temporarily.
Atrial fibrillation and flutter can increase a patient's risk for stroke. This is especially true
if other heart conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart valve disease, congestive heart failure, or coronary artery
disease are present, or if you are over the age of 65. It is for this reason that your doctor may ask you to take coumadin
(warfarin) to make your blood less likely to clot, a so-called blood "thinner." If you have been diagnosed with either atrial
fibrillation or atrial flutter and have not been asked to take coumadin, you should ask your doctor about this treatment.
As part of your treatment, you may be asked to take other medication to slow your heart rate, such as digoxin, beta-blockers or
calcium blockers. You may also be asked to take medications called antiarrhythmic drugs to prevent atrial fibrillation or
flutter. For more information about these medications, please refer to the Cardiovascular Medications section of this manual.
Occasionally, atrial fibrillation or flutter can be treated with a procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation that
deliberately injures a small area of the heart muscle that is causing the arrhythmia, making the arrhythmia stop. If you are
a candidate for this procedure, your doctor will discuss it with you in detail (see Therapeutic Procedures section).
Some supraventricular tachycardias occur because of abnormal electrical pathways in the heart,
which may be present at birth or develop later in life. These abnormal pathways result in "short circuits" in the heart and
can cause temporary rapid heart rhythms between 140 and 240 beats per minute. Medicationcan be used to decrease the frequency
of these episodes, but many of these types of arrhythmias can be completely eliminated by radiofrequency ablation.
Choose a topic at left and click for more information on Heart Rhythm Disturbances.
Copyright ©2005 Michigan Heart & Vascular Institute. All rights reserved.
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