Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: PSVT? Could you tell me what the difference between SVT and PSVT is? I have been told I have PSVT. When I have my attacks (never recorded on holter)my heart rate is regular (~220beats per minute) but it doesn't feel like just a very rapid heart beat, rather, like my heart has twisted around or something (very difficult to describe) but I experience no pain, no SOB, and no syncope. Then, without any reason, the "twisting" goes away and I feel myself go back into my regular feeling heart beat (vigorous exercise always precipitates my attacks which happen maybe 3X/year with the latest one lasting 1.5 hrs but every other one lasting max of 5 minutes. I am a 25 year old athletic male. I read a message on this board where this woman's doctors thought she had PSVT but after finally catching her arrythmia on a holter they found out it was V tach. Does my condition sound like PSVT? What is PSVT supposed to feel like? Thanks...you guys are awesome...
Thank you for your question. SVT stands for supraventricular tachycardia. Supraventricular means that the fast rhythm (tachycardia) is coming from the upper chambers of the heart. PSVT stands for paroxysmal (occasional) supraventricular tachycardia. This means it comes on every so often. Supraventricular tachycardias include: atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and AV nodal tachycardia. Ventricular tachycardias are due to a rapid depolarization of the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) and are different from SVTs. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
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