Hello @ashby1947,

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is caused by faulty electrical signals in your heart that originate above your ventricles. Your ventricles are the lower chambers of your heart, and if there’s an extra electrical pathway (or pathways) in your heart between your atria (the top chambers of your heart) and your ventricles, it acts like a short circuit. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/supraventricular-tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355243

Treatment for SVT aims to control your heart rhythm and rate, and depends on your symptoms. Some people don’t need any treatment at all, and symptoms may go away on their own. Most people with SVT are able to fly safely – flying does not increase your risk of having an episode. Make sure to stay well hydrated and avoid caffeine.

I’ve had SVT ever since I can remember, so I do know how debilitating these episodes can be. There were no restrictions placed on flying, and I underwent cardiac ablation a few years ago – my episodes were getting prolonged, occurred very often, and I couldn’t stop the fast heart rate with any of the vagal maneuvers. In my case, my heart rate was 210 beats per minute –– in SVT, your heart may beat between 140 to 250 beats per minute. Most people experience an improvement after SVT ablation, but there’s a small chance that palpitations may return, and the procedure can be repeated.
But, here I am, and so far so good!

Fortunately, SVT is rarely life-threatening, yet if your heart races for more than a few minutes, or if you start experiencing chest pain, you should go to the emergency room. SVTs are not considered to be dangerous or life threatening, but frequent episodes can weaken the cardiac muscle over time.

I’m tagging @ronbyrd @sue225 @ajmario @ktcrosswalk1 @jigglejaws94 @loli @cheris @martishka @texas7777 @mikeyp @anniegk @predictable to see if they can shed more light on your situation. You may also wish to view these discussions on Connect:
– Supra Ventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) and Running https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supra-ventricular-tachycardia-psvt-and-running/
– Feeling Skipped Beats, Palpitations: What could this possibly be? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-could-this-possibly-be/
– New and totally lost https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-and-totally-lost/

@ashby1947, has your doctor mentioned if medication could be causing these episodes?