afib v svt

[eddpugg298]

hi can any one explain to me the difference between afib and stv please

[BobD Volunteer]

Fibrillation is an irregular irregular non rhythm where rogue signals cause the left atrium to writhe like a bag of worms rather than beat ion a steady manner. Many of these rhythms then pass to the ventricle causing that to beat in a very fast irregular manner.

SVT is ventricular tachycardia (fast beat ) where the signals come from above the ventricle ie the atrium, but are regular.

[mjames1]

Technically Afib is one of several types of SVT. That said, and just to confuse both us lay people and themselves, they often differentiate the two. So when they talk about Afib they talk about an SVT with an irregular and sometimes fast rate while when they talk about SVT they talk about a fast but regular rate. You can also have sinus tach which is also fast and regular but presents differently from SVT. In order to get a correct diagnosis you have to document the event while it's happening with an ecg. Oftentimes the events are of short duration so by the time you get to the ER they're gone. Your doctor can therefore set you up with an event monitor or you can monitor it yourself with a portable device like the Kardia Mobile or Karida Band. That way you will have documentation of what type of arrhythmia you have and from there you can pick the best treatment.

Jim

[eddpugg298 in reply to mjames1]

thankyou