what are the causes of svt

My daughter for the last yr has been going through abnormal heart rythm; she has gone to a cardiologist and nothing has been found in the last yr she has three episodes; I am very worry because she has three beautiful children and is only 28 yrs old. why is this happening that I know their is no family history of heart disease. what should she do!

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

If she has a normal heart (EKG, echo and maybe a stress test), they are almost never life threatening.  If her studies are normal, she does not need to fear for her life.

If the episodes start and end suddenly and spontaneously and the rates are very fast, this might be a problem that is easy to fix with an ablation.  It might help to see an electrophysiologist (EP) -- cardiologist that specializes in heart rhythms.  They will help determine if it is likely something that can be cured with an ablation.

The other possibility is that she is having panic attacks -- also common in young mothers (sleep deprived, busy and stressful).

I hope this helps.