Understanding Supraventricular Tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a condition characterized by rapid heart rate caused by abnormal electrical impulses originating above the ventricles. This condition is typically present from birth and is caused by defective circuitry in the heart that leads to overlapping electrical signals.
Identifying symptoms of SVT in infants and young children can be challenging, but they may exhibit pale skin, excessive sweating, poor feeding, and a heart rate of at least 200 beats per minute. SVT episodes can occur suddenly and last for minutes or even days. If the episodes are frequent or ongoing, medical intervention may be necessary.
Understanding Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a condition that occurs when the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, experience abnormal electrical impulses. This disrupts the normal rhythm of the heart and prevents the ventricles from filling with blood and contracting effectively. Consequently, the amount of blood pumped to the rest of the body is insufficient.
In cases where ventricular tachycardia episodes last only a few seconds, they may not cause any significant harm to the body. However, episodes that persist for longer durations can be life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention.