Medical history (history) represents an important component in the diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
Family History
- Do you have relatives who suffer from palpitations or other cardiac arrhythmias?
Social history
- Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- When did the palpitations first occur?
- When did the palpitations last occur?
- How often does the palpitations occur (daily, weekly, monthly)?
- How does the palpitations start?
- Suddenly?
- Gradually?
- In what situations does the palpitations occur?
- Exciting situations/when exerting yourself?
- Prolonged time after excitement or physical exertion?
- During sleep
- How many times does the heart beat per minute during racing?
- Does the pulse beat regularly or irregularly during heart racing?
- How long does the palpitations last?
- How does the palpitations end?
- Suddenly?
- Gradually?
- What other symptoms do you notice during heart racing?
- Loss or threat of unconsciousness?*
- Can you stop the palpitations yourself by maneuvers or tricks? If yes, then please indicate by which?
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- Do you like to drink coffee, black or green tea? If so, how many cups per day?
- Do you drink other or additional caffeinated beverages? If so, how much of each?
- Do you smoke? If yes, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
- Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses of it per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (cardiovascular disease)
- Operations
- Allergies
Medication history
- Digitalis?
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Information without guarantee)