Supraventricular reentry tachycardia is an arrhythmia, an abnormal heartbeat. The word “tachycardia” signifies that the heartbeat is faster than the normal 50 to 100 beats per minute. “Supraventricular” indicates that the tachycardia involves the upper chambers of the heart (the atria), and “reentry” refers to the circuitous path of the electrical impulses that cause the arrhythmia. This problem usually arises from abnormal electrical connections in the heart that short-circuit the usual conduction pathways. Instead of a one-way impulse, these alternate pathways create a “loop” of current that keeps sending impulses back into the atria, causing them to beat faster than normal. The heart gets less chance to rest when it’s beating like this.
Symptoms of tachycardia can include palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.
- Sit up with your back straight (eventually, you’ll be able to do this exercise in any position).
- Place your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth and keep it there throughout the exercise.
- Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
- Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
- Hold your breath for a count of seven.
- Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
- Repeat this cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.
- If you smoke, stop.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Avoid caffeine (check any nonprescription drugs you take for caffeine content).
- Avoid stimulants in cough and cold medications and any supplements you may take.
- Avoid activities that seem to bring on your symptoms.
- Take 500 milligrams of magnesium twice a day, choosing magnesium citrate, glycinate, or chelate. If this causes a laxative effect, add some calcium citrate to maintain normal bowel function.
