Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

It is a sudden and intermittent (comes and goes) accelerated heart rhythm (> 100 beats/min) that originates in the atria of the heart.

It is favored by intoxicants such as tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and other drugs or pharmaceuticals, as well as some diseases.

The person, in an abrupt not maintained way, notices palpitations, anxiety and sometimes chest pain and dizziness.

The diagnosis is made through the medical history and confirmed with an electrocardiogram that records the arrhythmia (a device records the heart rhythm for 24 hours).

In a controlled manner, it can be reversed by massaging the carotid arteries in the neck or by exerting force with the abdomen to simulate a strong cough or straining to defecate. In certain cases, medication or a low-energy electric shock may be necessary to reverse the arrhythmia. In the long term, surgical options (myocardial ablation) may be considered.