Overview

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is as an abnormally fast or erratic heartbeat that affects the heart's upper chambers. An abnormal heartbeat is called an arrhythmia. SVT is also called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

A normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. A heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute is called a tachycardia (tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh). During an episode of SVT, your heart beats about 150 to 220 times per minute, but it can occasionally beat faster or slower.

Most people with supraventricular tachycardia live healthy lives without restrictions or treatment. For others, lifestyle changes, medication and heart procedures may be needed to control or eliminate the rapid heartbeats and related symptoms.