What is the Difference Between Sinus Tach and SVT

The key difference between sinus tach and SVT is that sinus tach is a type of tachycardia that presents with a heart rate of 100 to 150 beats per minute, while SVT is a type of tachycardia that presents with a heart rate of 151 to 250 beats per minute.

Tachycardia is a medical condition that presents with a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute. There are three main types of tachycardia as sinus (sinus tach), supraventricular (SVT), and ventricular. Sinus tach and SVT are two different types of tachycardia.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Sinus Tach  
3. What is SVT
4. Similarities – Sinus Tach and SVT
5. Sinus Tach vs SVT in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Sinus Tach vs SVT

What is Sinus Tach?

Sinus tach or sinus tachycardia is a type of tachycardia that normally present with a heart rate of 100 to 150 beats per minute. In this condition, electrical signals from the sinoatrial node of the heart inform the heart to beat faster than normal. Sinus tach can be caused by fear, nervousness, fever, intensive exercise, certain drugs, dehydration, damaged heart vessels, anemia, heavy bleeding, and hyperthyroidism. Moreover, this condition usually does not have symptoms. Even when people exhibit symptoms, they do not last long. The common symptoms of sinus tach include faster heartbeat, palpitations, fainting, chest pain, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, shortness of breath, tiredness, and inability to handle exercises.

Figure 01: Sinus Tach

Sinus tach can be diagnosed through an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, Holter monitor, chest CT scan, blood tests, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry, and a scan to check circulation in the lungs. Furthermore, treatment options for sinus tach may include medications like beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ivabradine, catheter ablation, cognitive behavioural therapy, and lifestyle and home remedies (reducing caffeine intake, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and using tobacco products, and consuming less sodium).

What is SVT?

Supraventricular (SVT) is a type of tachycardia that usually present with a heart rate of 151 to 250 beats per minute. With SVT, the fast heart rate often begins in the upper heart chambers. Svt can be caused due to stress, caffeine, alcohol or cigarette smoking, pregnancy, thyroid, lung, or heart disease. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include chest pain, tiredness, a fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, sweating, feeling dizzy, passing out, palpitations, and shortness of breath.

Figure 02: SVT

SVT can be diagnosed through physical examination and electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Furthermore, treatment options for SVT may include resting, applying pressure to specific areas of the face and neck, doing the Valsalva maneuver, lying down, putting ice cold towel on the face, coughing, and medications like adenosine, atropine, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, potassium channel blockers and lifestyle and home remedies (manage stress, drink less alcohol, stop smoking and drink less coffee and other things that have caffeine).

What are the Similarities Between Sinus Tach and SVT?

• Sinus tach and SVT are two different types of tachycardia.
• Both conditions have similar symptoms, such as fast heart rate, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.
• Both can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• They are treated through medications and lifestyle, and home remedies.

What is the Difference Between Sinus Tach and SVT?

Sinus tach is a type of tachycardia in which the heart beats at a rate of 100 to 150 beats per minute, while SVT is a type of tachycardia in which the heart beats at a rate of 151 to 250 beats per minute. Thus, this is the key difference between sinus tach and SVT. Furthermore, sinus tach is usually caused by things that people cannot control, while SVT is usually caused by things that people can control.

The below infographic presents the differences between sinus tach and SVT in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Sinus Tach vs SVT

Sinus tach and SVT are two different types of tachycardia. Both these conditions may have similar symptoms. Sinus tach is caused due to things that people cannot control, while SVT is usually caused by things people can control. Moreover, in sinus tach, the heart beats with a heart rate of 100 to 150 beats per minute. In SVT, the heart beats with a heart rate of 151 to 250 beats per minute. So, this summarizes the difference between sinus tach and SVT.

Reference:

1. “Sinus Tachycardia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Types, Causes, & Risk Factors.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “ECG Sinus Tachycardia 132 bpm” By Ewingdo – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “SVT overview (CardioNetworks ECGpedia)” By CardioNetworks: Drj – CardioNetworks: SVT_overview.svg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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