Episodes of SVT may come and go and be mistaken for anxiety or panic attacks, making it difficult to diagnose the condition.
During your initial office visit, your healthcare provider will spend time with you and learn more about your symptoms and overall health. Your provider will:
- Conduct a physical exam
- Discuss your medical history and your current medical conditions
- Listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level
An ECG or EKG records the electrical activity in your heart. Your healthcare provider attaches small electrodes to your arms, legs and chest. Small wires connect the electrodes to a special machine. As you lie still, the machine records your heart’s electrical activity, which your healthcare provider reviews to determine if supraventricular tachycardia is present. The test only takes a few minutes and requires no preparation.
For a closer look at a potential problem, a specialist guides electrodes to your heart through tiny incisions in the groin or neck. As with an ECG, the electrodes monitor the heart’s electrical signals to detect abnormalities. This takes place in an electrophysiology laboratory. You should avoid eating for a few hours beforehand. Prescribed medication will help you relax during the procedure.
A Holter monitor is a portable ECG you wear for 24 to 48 hours while doing your usual activities.
