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Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Supraventricular arrhythmias begin in the atria or atrioventricular node and include several fast or irregular rhythms. A rhythm recording is important because treatment for re-entry SVT differs from atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Verampil

Verapamil

40 · 120mg

Utilized to manage hypertension, formulated to target calcium channels and support stable blood pressure control.

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Calan Sr

Verapamil

120 · 240mg

Utilized to alleviate hypertension and manage cardiac arrhythmias through systemic vascular resistance reduction.

From$0.67/ tabletView

Key takeaways

  • Sudden regular racing, irregular palpitations, dizziness, breathlessness or chest discomfort can occur, but symptoms do not identify the rhythm.
  • ECG during an episode, episode duration, heart disease, medicines and laboratory causes guide assessment.
  • AV-node-slowing medicines can be unsafe in some conduction patterns, low blood pressure or heart failure.

Catalogue matches do not diagnose an arrhythmia or provide a safe plan for acute palpitations.

What information helps identify the rhythm?

Abrupt onset and offset favour some re-entry rhythms, while an irregular pulse suggests others. Wearable data may help but does not replace diagnostic ECG interpretation. Thyroid disease, stimulants and electrolyte disturbance may contribute.

How is treatment selected?

Management may include observation, acute manoeuvres, medicine or ablation. Verapamil slows AV-node conduction and has selected uses, but can cause hypotension and is inappropriate for some broad-complex or pre-excited rhythms.

When to seek urgent care

Seek emergency care for palpitations with fainting, severe chest pain, marked breathlessness, confusion, low blood pressure or a sustained rhythm causing deterioration.