Supraventricular Tachycardia: What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

Some lifestyle factors can raise your risk of having an episode of supraventricular tachycardia, such as overuse of caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol or use of illegal drugs, such as stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine.

Decongestants that contain stimulants should also be avoided, including oxymetazoline (such as Afrin and other brands) and pseudoephedrine (such as Sudafed, Actifed, and other brands). Doctors also warn against using nonprescription diet pills or "pep" pills, because many contain caffeine, ephedra, ephedrine, the herb ma huang, or other stimulants.

Conditions that affect the lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism, can raise your risk for multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT), a type of supraventricular tachycardia.

Many experts believe that Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome may in some cases be inherited. If you have a close relative with this disorder and he or she has symptoms, talk with your health professional about your risk of developing this abnormal heart rhythm.

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Last updated:	September 26, 2006
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Laurence Epstein, MD - Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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