PSVT

Can PSVT (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) kill me?

[ireneo]

I've had it for over 50 years and I'm still here. Generally speaking if your heart is in good condition otherwise, PSVT, an atrial tachy that may hit 220 at times, doesn't do much harm. It will slow you down, make you feel lousy while it's happening and that's why we go to the doctor to get it under control.  Now atrial fibrillation can be dangerous but that's at a much higher rate.

Have you discussed treatment options with a cardiologist?  A lot depends on the rate, the duration and frequency of your PSVT.  If it happens rarely and doesn't get very fast, they tend to say "live with it." They're not being mean but medications have side effects that are more worrisome than the rare tachy burst. This is something to talk over with the cardio.