Little-Known Heart Rhythm Disorder that Affects Millions: SVT Awareness Day 2025

Arrhythmia Alliance Press Release

Approximately 35 people in 100,000 suffer with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and diagnosis can be challenging as the irregular heart rhythm comes and goes.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!

Arrhythmia Alliance is hosting SVT Awareness Day on June 4, 2025. It will take place during World Heart Rhythm Week (June 2-8) to raise awareness of what is described as a “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).

Episodes can be short-lived for just a few minutes or last several hours. Approximately 35 people in 100,000 suffer with SVT, and diagnosis can be challenging as the irregular heart rhythm comes and goes, and, therefore, it is difficult to identify unless an electrocardiogram (ECG) can record an episode at the time it occurs.

Another challenge is that despite treatment, some people with SVT continue to have symptoms. In addition, some may stop taking medication because they cannot tolerate the side effects.

To address some of these challenges, Arrhythmia Alliance, their sister charities, and their partners will raise awareness of the condition and help people seek medical advice and treatments.

World Heart Rhythm Week

Arrhythmia Alliance World Heart Rhythm Week is an annual Awareness Week that focuses on raising awareness of all arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) including Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Atrial Fibrillation, SVT, and Syncope (unexplained loss of consciousness). For more information, visit: www.worldheartrhythmweek.org

World Heart Rhythm Week (WHRW)

Get Involved with World Heart Rhythm Week by downloading the social media toolkit, ordering virtual or physical resource packs, attending or hosting a Know Your Pulse Event or by calling or emailing Arrhythmia Alliance to see how you can get involved - remember anyone of any age and at any time can develop a heart rhythm disorder.

Know Your Pulse (KYP)

Thirty seconds is all it takes—watch listen and learn how you and your loved ones can detect an irregular heart rhythm and potentially avoid stroke and sudden cardiac death. The KYP program promotes the need for us to be aware of our pulse and for the need to perform routine manual pulse checks. Know Your Pulse events can be held anywhere in the world, including hospitals, shopping malls, parks and schools. If pulse checks are routine thousands of lives could be saved, and thousands of debilitating strokes could be prevented every year.

Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A)

Working together to improve the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for all those affected by arrhythmias. A-A is a coalition of charities, patients and patient groups, carers, medical groups and allied professionals. Although these groups remain independent, they work together under the A-A umbrella to prove timely and effective diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. A-A provides support, information, education and awareness to all those affected by or involved in the care of cardiac arrhythmias.

AF Association

Working to provide information, support and access to established, new or innovative treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF).

STARS (Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures)

Working together to improve the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for all those affected by syncope.