Your heart racing out of nowhere can scare you during a workout or on a regular day. Many people brush off these episodes thinking it's just anxiety, not enough water, or pushing too hard. But doctors caution that a quick big jump in heart rate might point to an underlying health issue rather than a simple body response.
Maryland-based physician Dr Kunal Sood, who specialises in Anaesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine, recently highlighted this in an Instagram post, stating that such episodes are often linked to supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
“If you’ve ever felt your heart suddenly take off mid-workout, this is likely what’s happening,” Dr Sood said. “What you’re seeing here is an episode of supraventricular tachycardia.”
Dr Sood explained that SVT is marked by the sudden onset of a very fast heart rhythm—often reaching 170 beats per minute or more—without the gradual increase typically seen during exercise or stress.
“SVT happens because of an electrical short circuit in the upper chambers of the heart,” he said. “Instead of signals flowing normally, they loop rapidly, forcing the heart to beat much faster than it should.”
Common triggers include exercise, emotional stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, and stimulants such as caffeine, which is why episodes may occur unexpectedly during physical activity.
According to an Indian Express report, Dr CM Nagesh, Honorary Secretary of the Indian College of Cardiology and Founder of Cardea Super Speciality Hospital, said the main difference lies in how the episode begins and ends.
“A normal fast heart rate builds up gradually and settles once the trigger passes,” Dr Nagesh said. “In contrast, SVT often starts and stops suddenly, like a switch being flipped. The heart may race above 150 beats per minute even while resting.”
He added that SVT may also cause dizziness, chest discomfort, breathlessness, or a fluttering sensation in the chest, which are less common with normal exertion-related heart rate increases.
Dr Sood advises stopping physical activity immediately and remaining calm. “Resting and slowing down is the first step,” he said.
Certain vagal manoeuvres may help reset the heart rhythm in some cases. These include bearing down as if during a bowel movement, practising slow deep breathing, or gently splashing cold water on the face.
However, repeated or prolonged episodes should always be evaluated by a doctor.
Dr Nagesh noted that SVT can affect even healthy adults, with several lifestyle habits increasing vulnerability.
“Excessive caffeine from coffee, energy drinks, or pre-workout supplements is a common trigger,” he said. Poor sleep, chronic stress, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances—especially low potassium or magnesium—can also contribute. In some individuals, alcohol consumption, smoking, and high emotional stress further raise the risk.
To figure out what's going on, doctors start by asking about your health history and checking you over. They'll then do an ECG to look at your heart's rhythm.
If episodes occur intermittently, doctors may recommend a Holter monitor or event recorder to track heart activity over several days or weeks.
“Blood tests are often done to check thyroid function and electrolyte levels,” Dr Nagesh said. “An echocardiogram may be advised to assess heart structure. If it happens a lot or is bad, you might need an electrophysiology study to find out where the weird rhythm is coming from.
Also Read: Heart health: Everyday changes that lower your heart risk, boost energy
While you can often manage SVT, experts say you shouldn't ignore it if it keeps happening, lasts a long time, or is bad. Getting it checked out and treated can stop problems down the road and help you go about your day and exercise.
1. What is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and what triggers these episodes?
SVT is a condition characterised by a sudden onset of a very rapid heart rate, often exceeding 170 beats per minute, due to an electrical short circuit in the upper chambers of the heart. Common triggers include exercise, emotional stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, and stimulants such as caffeine.
2. How is SVT different from a normal fast heart rate?
SVT starts and stops suddenly, unlike a normal fast heart rate that builds up gradually. SVT can cause the heart to race above 150 beats per minute even while resting.
4. What should I do during an SVT episode?
Stop physical activity immediately, remain calm, and rest. Certain vagal manoeuvres like bearing down, deep breathing, or splashing cold water on your face may help reset the heart rhythm.
5. What lifestyle factors increase the risk of SVT?
Excessive caffeine, poor sleep, chronic stress, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, alcohol consumption, smoking, and high emotional stress can increase the risk of SVT.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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