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Are There Ways To Tell If Tachycardia Is Just Sinus-tachycardia Or SVT?
Question: I had a rapid heart-rate last night after drinking alcohol and getting excited about something. It went up to about 150 BPM after walking quickly. I had no chest pain or any other symptoms. Previously when I was having a ekg stress test done they noted Sinus Tachycardia at 144 before the test start as I was quite anxious.
My question is are there any ways to tell if tachycardia is just sinus-tachycardia or it's it some other SVT?
My question is are there any ways to tell if tachycardia is just sinus-tachycardia or it's it some other SVT?
Brief Answer:
With ECG, we can different it.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
Sometime due to stress, people get sinus tachycardia. That could be the reason in your case. In supraventricular tachycardia, symptoms are sudden and may resolve without treatment. Stress, exercise, and emotion can all result in a normal or physiological increase in heart rate, but can also, more rarely, precipitate SVT. Episodes can last from a few minutes to one or two days, sometimes persisting until treated. The rapid heart rate reduces the opportunity for the pump to fill between beats decreasing cardiac output and as a consequence blood pressure. The following symptoms are typical with a rate of 150–270 or more beats per minute, which includes palpitation, chest pain, rapid breathing etc. Diagnosis can be possible by ECG. Sinus tachycardia is physiologic or "appropriate" when a reasonable stimulus, such as the catecholamine surge associated with fright, stress, or physical activity, provokes the tachycardia. It is identical to a normal sinus rhythm except for its faster rate (>100 beats per minute in adults). In general, it is not considered SVT
If in your ECG, doctor said that, that was sinus tachycardia, then nothing to worry.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
With ECG, we can different it.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
Sometime due to stress, people get sinus tachycardia. That could be the reason in your case. In supraventricular tachycardia, symptoms are sudden and may resolve without treatment. Stress, exercise, and emotion can all result in a normal or physiological increase in heart rate, but can also, more rarely, precipitate SVT. Episodes can last from a few minutes to one or two days, sometimes persisting until treated. The rapid heart rate reduces the opportunity for the pump to fill between beats decreasing cardiac output and as a consequence blood pressure. The following symptoms are typical with a rate of 150–270 or more beats per minute, which includes palpitation, chest pain, rapid breathing etc. Diagnosis can be possible by ECG. Sinus tachycardia is physiologic or "appropriate" when a reasonable stimulus, such as the catecholamine surge associated with fright, stress, or physical activity, provokes the tachycardia. It is identical to a normal sinus rhythm except for its faster rate (>100 beats per minute in adults). In general, it is not considered SVT
If in your ECG, doctor said that, that was sinus tachycardia, then nothing to worry.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the detailed reply.
During this particular incident I did not have a ECG done however previously when I was getting a stress-test I found the medical office/equipment quite anxiety inducing and prior to even beginning the stress test, if you can believe it, my heart rate was 144 BPM! This was noted at Sinus Tachycardia by the cardiologist and it was my first eye-opener that the brain can really make the heart-beat fast.
When this most recent incident happened I was received some excitement. I.E. I was excited to be entering into a casino. This excitement seems to trigger the rapid heart rate. I had no other symptoms, not problem breathing, no other issues al all just a fast rate, however I was quite intoxicated given we had just been out celebrating my upcoming wedding.
I guess my primary concern is I want to ensure that this is not something life-threatening. It appears that it is either Sinus Tachycardia triggerred by excitement / adrenaline or some form of SVT. We won't be able to tell since there was no ECG done, but my gut is that it was Sinus related give the previous anxiety induced Sinus Tachycardia and the lack of symptoms.
I will avoid over-indulging in alcohol and if I experience this sort of incident again I will speak to my GP. I had spoken with her before and she said anything over 120BPM could be concerning but I believe since I have seen it go to 144 from anxiety alone this is likely nothing to worry about.
Thanks for your help.
During this particular incident I did not have a ECG done however previously when I was getting a stress-test I found the medical office/equipment quite anxiety inducing and prior to even beginning the stress test, if you can believe it, my heart rate was 144 BPM! This was noted at Sinus Tachycardia by the cardiologist and it was my first eye-opener that the brain can really make the heart-beat fast.
When this most recent incident happened I was received some excitement. I.E. I was excited to be entering into a casino. This excitement seems to trigger the rapid heart rate. I had no other symptoms, not problem breathing, no other issues al all just a fast rate, however I was quite intoxicated given we had just been out celebrating my upcoming wedding.
I guess my primary concern is I want to ensure that this is not something life-threatening. It appears that it is either Sinus Tachycardia triggerred by excitement / adrenaline or some form of SVT. We won't be able to tell since there was no ECG done, but my gut is that it was Sinus related give the previous anxiety induced Sinus Tachycardia and the lack of symptoms.
I will avoid over-indulging in alcohol and if I experience this sort of incident again I will speak to my GP. I had spoken with her before and she said anything over 120BPM could be concerning but I believe since I have seen it go to 144 from anxiety alone this is likely nothing to worry about.
Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
These are anxiety induced symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I think, your are too tense about this. Remember one thing, its our thoughts who run our body. If our thoughts would be negative, then we would get negative response in our body. Same could be in your case. The things, which make you excited or tense, could lead to increase in adrenaline and that lead to increase in heart rate. If you have only increase in heart rate as symptoms, then it is more towards anxiety induced sinus tachycardia. You can take beta blocker like propranalol after your doctor consultation. You can also try some relaxation exercise that would keep you calm or relax.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
These are anxiety induced symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I think, your are too tense about this. Remember one thing, its our thoughts who run our body. If our thoughts would be negative, then we would get negative response in our body. Same could be in your case. The things, which make you excited or tense, could lead to increase in adrenaline and that lead to increase in heart rate. If you have only increase in heart rate as symptoms, then it is more towards anxiety induced sinus tachycardia. You can take beta blocker like propranalol after your doctor consultation. You can also try some relaxation exercise that would keep you calm or relax.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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