Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

When the heart has sudden episodes of very fast heartbeats that begin and end abruptly, one possible explanation is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), a heart rhythm disorder originating above the ventricles.

What it is: it involves sudden increases in heart rate, generally unrelated to exertion, that can last minutes or hours.

Common symptoms:

• Intense, sudden palpitations.
• A feeling of dizziness or shortness of breath.
• Chest discomfort or anxiety during the episode.

Which specialist treats it? Its evaluation falls to the cardiologist, and in children to the pediatric cardiologist, while the emergency physician may step in during an acute episode. If you experience palpitations that come on suddenly, the advisable thing is to have a professional evaluate your heart rhythm on an individual basis.