What is the most common presenting symptom in supraventricular tachycardias?

Palpitations are the most common presenting symptom in supraventricular tachycardias (SVT). This symptom is characterized by an awareness of the heartbeat, which may feel rapid, fluttering, or pounding. Patients often describe it as feeling their heart racing, which can be distressing. The nature of SVT involves a rapid heart rate originating above the ventricles, typically leading to the sensation of palpitations. While other symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath can also occur in patients with SVT, palpitations are most frequently the initial symptom reported, making them the hallmark presentation of this arrhythmia. Recognizing this symptom can assist healthcare providers in the timely identification and management of SVT.