Arrhythmia Alliance launches first SVT Awareness Day

Arrhythmia Alliance launches first SVT Awareness Day during WHRW2023: The non-profit organisation Arrhythmia Alliance announces the launch of the first SVT Awareness Day 07 June during World Heart Rhythm Week (05 June to 11 June 2023) to raise awareness of this little-known heart rhythm disorder that affects millions.

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a rapid increase in the heart rhythm that leaves people breathless and anxious, it can cause the heart to beat much faster than normal, up to as high as 250 beats per minute (a normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute). These episodes can be short-lived for just a few minutes, or last several hours. Approx 35 people in 100,000 suffer with SVT. Diagnosis of SVT can be challenging because the irregular heart rhythm comes and goes, and, therefore, is difficult to identify unless an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) can record an episode at the time it occurs.

Another challenge is that despite treatment (e.g., medication such as beta-blockers), some people with SVT continue to have symptoms. In addition, some may stop taking medication because they cannot tolerate the side effects.
Arrhythmia Alliance will launch new patient resources on SVT; host a virtual coffee morning for people living with SVT and also release a series of Living with… SVT webinars – all to raise awareness of the troublesome condition and help people seek medical advice and treatments.

To inspire others to improve care standards for patients with SVT, Arrhythmia Alliance called for healthcare teams to showcase their exemplary work in SVT services. A large number of Medical Centres submitted case studies which were reviewed by an international panel of expert judges, with the winners published in the report and recognised as a ‘Centre of Excellence’. www.svtpioneers.org Arrhythmia Alliance is hosting a reception at The Palace of Westminster, London, UK to recognize and award the winners of A-A SVT Healthcare Pioneers 2023.