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 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 first degree relative, which is a parent, brother, or sister, with this disorder and he or she has symptoms, talk with your doctor about your risk of developing this abnormal heart rhythm.

Last updated:	September 17, 2008
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC