Prevention

To prevent an episode of supraventricular tachycardia, it's important to know what triggers the episodes to occur and try to avoid them. Healthy lifestyle changes can help protect your heart. You might want to try:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Increasing your physical activity
• Avoiding smoking
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol
• Reducing stress
• Getting plenty of rest
• Using over-the-counter medications with caution, as some cold and cough medications contain stimulants that may trigger a rapid heartbeat
• Avoiding illegal drug use, such as cocaine, ecstasy or methamphetamines

For most people with supraventricular tachycardia, moderate amounts of caffeine do not trigger an episode of SVT. Large amounts of caffeine should be avoided, however.

Consider keeping a diary to help identify your triggers. Track your heart rate, symptoms and activity at the time of an SVT episode.