I think It's SVT?

I occasionally experience what I think is SVT.  The best way I can describe it is it feels like a regular skipped beat, followed by the sensation that my heart is beating in my uppper throat and not in my chest.  When I feel my pulse it is about 100bpm.  It goes away in a matter of minutes, and putting my head low, or lying on the bed and hanging my head upside down seems to relieve it for some reason, unless it's just my imagination.  But for those few minutes it is no fun.

Anyway, anyone with similar symptoms please reply.  It is very unnerving, and I have seen a doctor, who said it was SVT, but it's best sometimes to hear from people who are going through the same.  Thanks!

[Artaud]

Hi,

The more I read, the more I begin to understand the ambiguity of the word SVT.

Here, from a Cardiac Terms Definition site, is an example of the complex use of the word SVT:

"Sinus tachycardia is a generic name for a variety of specific supraventricular rhythms, including Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia, and Atrial Tachycardia.

It is also used in reference to any narrow complex rhythm to distinguish it from wide-complex rhythms that could arise in the ventricle. In addition to the specific rhythms mentioned above, this use of the term includes atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, junctional tachycardia, accelerated junctional rhythm, and multifocal atrial tachycardia."

More, from another site:

“Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a heart rate greater then 100 beats/minute that originates above the ventricle.  It includes sinus tachycardia, paroxysmal SVT (PSVT) and atrial tachycardias.  

Sinus tachycardia (ST) is a heart rate faster than 100 beats/minute (in adults) that originates in the sinus node. The rate does not usually exceed 160 beats/minute but can be as high as 180 beats/minute in young adults and children.

Paroxysmal SVT is a regular rhythm with rates from 160 to 220 beats/minute.”

Whew, what a mouthful! So, when a Doctor says SVT, what did he/she really say?

The important thing is that you have been seen by a Doctor. Was this recent? Did he/she do any kind of Holter or Event Monitoring?  Doing a Holter and capturing the arrhythmia may enable your Doctor to determine whether it is strictly an Atrial Rhythm, such as Atrial Tachycardia, or if the Ventricles are also involved.  Arrhythmias that originate above the ventricles are often not as significant as arrhythmias that originate on the ventricles, but knowing the exact form of your arrhythmia would probably be reassuring to you and your Doctor.

Be well.