Can anxiety be mistaken for SVT?

Electrophysiologists (cardiologists who specialize in heart rhythm disorders) will tell you that in young women, SVT is commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety or panic disorder. But it’s seen in people of all ages. Here’s the problem: because SVT happens sporadically, it can be difficult to diagnose.

Can tachycardia be mistaken for anxiety?

A type of arrhythmia called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can make your heart beat as much as 150 to 250 times a minute. This is the heart arrhythmia most likely to be mistaken for a panic attack.

What is the difference between SVT and panic attacks?

Symptoms: With a panic attack, your heart rate speeds up and slowly returns to a normal pace. With supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), your heart will start racing abruptly, and then equally abruptly stop racing or begin to slow down.

Does anxiety make SVT worse?

If you are worn out or anxious, you may be more likely to have a bout of SVT. One small study was able to record electrical changes in the hearts of people with the condition who were mentally stressed. Another study concluded that panic attacks can trigger this.

How do you feel after SVT episode?

Patients consistently described the post-episode fatigue as corresponding to the length of the SVT episode. An episode of SVT lasting seconds to minutes caused extreme fatigue, but the fatigue was short-lived. Longer episodes of SVT were associated with more severe fatigue lasting 1–4 days.

How can I calm my heart rate down from anxiety?

You can lower your heart rate from anxiety with regular exercise, deep breathing techniques, and mindfulness meditation….Take time to breathe

1. Sit or lay down and close your eyes.
2. Slowly inhale through your nose.
3. Exhale slowly through the mouth.
4. Repeat this as often as needed.

What can be mistaken for SVT?

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is the heart arrhythmia most likely to be mistaken for a panic attack. It can make heart beat as much as 150 to 250 times a minute. One of the similarities between both panic attacks and SVT is the rapid action of the heart [4].

Can anxiety make SVT worse?

Women who have some form of SVT may be more anxious about it, and some women with SVT are misdiagnosed as having panic disorder, in part because the symptoms of both conditions are very similar. Some researchers even speculate that panic disorder could morph into SVT, though there is currently no clear proof of this.

Can you be misdiagnosed with SVT?

Women who have some form of SVT may be more anxious about it, and some women with SVT are misdiagnosed as having panic disorder, in part because the symptoms of both conditions are very similar.

Can panic attacks trigger SVT?

This evidence shows that in some patients paroxysmal SVT is the cause, but not the consequence of a panic attack. Our patient with years of undiagnosed panic disorder and all previous work-up negative finally was lucky enough to reach the diagnosis of PSVT based on ECG evidence.