Your heart suddenly races to 150, 180, even 200 beats per minute, and just as quickly as it started, it stops. If that experience sounds familiar, you may be living with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). It can feel alarming, but with the right specialist, it is also highly treatable.
At Valley Heart & Rhythm in Tarzana, CA, board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist Menachem Wakslak, MD, brings subspecialty precision to SVT diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Wakslak and his team are committed to providing you with a clear diagnosis and a personalized plan because the right treatment starts with truly understanding you as a person.
What Is Supraventricular Tachycardia?
SVT is a group of heart rhythm disorders that cause episodes of an abnormally fast heartbeat originating above the ventricles. The most common types include AVNRT (atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia), AVRT (atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia), and atrial tachycardia. During an episode, a short circuit in the heart’s electrical system causes it to beat rapidly, sometimes for a few seconds, sometimes for hours.
Symptoms of SVT
SVT episodes can vary widely from person to person. Common symptoms include:
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Sudden, rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
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Chest tightness or pressure
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Shortness of breath
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Fatigue during or after an episode
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A sense of anxiety or unease during a racing heartbeat
Some people experience frequent episodes while others go months between them. Either way, getting evaluated by a specialist is worthwhile.
SVT Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on how often your episodes occur, how long they last, and how much they affect your quality of life. Options range from watchful waiting to more definitive interventions.
For mild or infrequent SVT, lifestyle adjustments and medications may help reduce the frequency or severity of episodes. If medications are not effective, or if you prefer a more lasting solution, catheter ablation is a highly effective option.
SVT ablation involves threading thin, flexible catheters into the heart to identify and eliminate the abnormal electrical pathway that causes the rapid rhythm. Dr. Wakslak performs SVT ablation using advanced mapping technology and, when appropriate, fluoroless techniques that reduce radiation exposure during the procedure. For many patients, ablation provides a long-term and often curative result.
Am I a Candidate for SVT Treatment?
SVT treatment is appropriate for anyone experiencing recurring episodes of rapid heartbeat that are affecting daily life. Catheter ablation may be the right fit if:
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Medications have not adequately controlled your symptoms
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You prefer not to take long-term medication
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Episodes are frequent, prolonged, or interfering with work or daily activities
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A prior evaluation has confirmed SVT as the diagnosis
Dr. Wakslak takes time to review your full history and help you weigh your options honestly. The recommendation is always the right fit for you, not a protocol.
Why Choose Valley Heart & Rhythm for SVT Treatment in Tarzana, CA?
SVT may be one of the more common arrhythmias, but your care should never feel routine. At Valley Heart & Rhythm, Dr. Wakslak leads every consultation, makes every clinical decision, and stays involved throughout your care. There are no rotating providers and no handoffs to someone who doesn’t know your history.
Dr. Wakslak has practiced cardiac electrophysiology in the San Fernando Valley since 2012. He trained at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, completed his cardiovascular disease fellowship at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, and earned his electrophysiology training at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He performs SVT ablation alongside the full scope of cardiac electrophysiology procedures, all with the same level of personal attention and involvement.
The team at Valley Heart & Rhythm is small by design. Everyone here knows patients by name, and every treatment decision is made by one physician who knows your whole story.
Stop Wondering What’s Happening to Your Heart
A racing heart doesn’t have to be a permanent feature of your life. If you’ve been experiencing sudden episodes of rapid heartbeat, a conversation with Dr. Wakslak is a clear path toward real answers.
Valley Heart & Rhythm is located in Tarzana, CA, and welcomes patients from throughout the San Fernando Valley. Call (818) 724-8000 to schedule your consultation.
