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Stephen R. Shorofsky, M.D., Ph.D.

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Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)

Alternative Names:

PSVT; Supraventricular tachycardia

Symptoms:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Note: Symptoms may start and stop suddenly, and can last for a few minutes or several hours. A PSVT lasting more than 50% of the day is considered an incessant PSVT.

Signs and tests:

An examination during a PSVT episode detects a rapid heart rate. The heart rate may be 150 to 250 beats per minute (bpm) (in children the heart rate tends to be very high). There may be signs of poor perfusion (blood circulation) such as light-headedness. Between episodes of PSVT, the heart rate is normal (60 to 100 bpm).

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