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When the human body is stressed during physical activities such as working out or running, it is common for the heart to beat faster than normal. However, at times the heartbeat may feel unnaturally fast, causing severe chest pain.
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Taking to Instagram on January 1, Dr. Kunal Sood, a Maryland-based physician of anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine, described the condition as supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT for short.
“This is a rhythm where the heart suddenly starts beating very fast, often at 170 beats per minute or more, without gradually slowing down,” he said.
What causes supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
Supraventricular tachycardia results from “an electrical short circuit in the upper chambers of the heart,” Dr. Sood shared.
The impulses from the nervous system that are responsible for maintaining a normal heartbeat are rapidly lost. This forces the heart to beat faster than necessary.
SVT events can be triggered by several things, such as:
- Exercise
- dehydration
- lack of sleep
- stimulants like caffeine
So it may appear unexpectedly during running or exercise, Dr. Sood cautioned.
How to deal with SVT?
According to Dr. Sood, the best first step during an SVT incident is to stop whatever we are doing, relax and try to remain calm.
Sometimes, the vagal maneuver helps to reset the rhythm. They are physical actions that stimulate the vagus nerve to slow your heart rate, and include:
- bending down as if defecating
- slow, deep breathing
- Slowly splash cold water on the face
While most SVT episodes are not life-threatening, it is important to seek medical attention if the fast heart rate does not slow down and chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting occur.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
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