*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Supraventricular Tachycardia Svt

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a condition where your heart suddenly beats much faster than normal. It's not usually serious, but some people may need treatment.

Causes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

SVT happens when the electrical system that controls your heart rhythm is not working properly.

This causes your heart to suddenly beat much faster. It can then slow down abruptly.

A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). But with SVT your heart rate suddenly goes above 100bpm. This can happen when you're resting or doing exercise.

Symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Having SVT means your heart suddenly beats faster.

This:

usually lasts for a few minutes, but can sometimes last for several hours
can happen several times a day or once a year - it varies
can be triggered by tiredness, caffeine, alcohol or drugs - but often there's no obvious trigger
can happen at any age, but often starts for the first time in children and young adults - many people have their first symptoms between 25 and 40

You may get no other symptoms, but sometimes people also:

have chest pain
feel weak, breathless or lightheaded
feel tired
feel sick or are sick

See a GP if you keep getting a fast heartbeat

It's important to get it checked out. You might need a test, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), to find out what's going on.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you have been diagnosed with SVT and your episode has lasted longer than 30 minutes
you have sudden shortness of breath with chest pain

You need to go to hospital for treatment immediately.

Things you can do to help with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

If your episodes of SVT only last a few minutes and do not bother you, you may not need treatment.

You can make changes to your lifestyle to reduce your chances of having episodes, such as:

cutting down on the amount of caffeine or alcohol you drink
stopping or cutting back on smoking
making sure you get enough rest

Your doctor may also be able to recommend some simple techniques to help stop episodes when they happen.

Treating supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in hospital

SVT is rarely life threatening. But you may need treatment in hospital if you keep having long episodes.

This may include:

medicines to control the episodes of SVT - given as tablets or through a vein
cardioversion - a small electric shock to the heart to help it get back to a normal rhythm
catheter ablation - a treatment where thin tubes are placed through a vein or artery into your heart to correct the problem with the electrical system; this permanently cures the problem in most patients

Find out more about:

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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