Milestone Pharmaceuticals on Sunday presented findings from a prospective study examining the impact of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) on patients between symptomatic episodes. The results were unveiled at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 in Amsterdam.
The study tracked 247 adults with self-reported PSVT diagnoses and no prior catheter ablation, enrolled between February and December 2019. Participants were based in the United States and United Kingdom, with a mean age of 52 years and 72% identifying as female. The research assessed lifestyle adjustments, activity interruptions, and medication side effects experienced between PSVT episodes.
Approximately two-thirds of patients reported modifying their routines to avoid stress, while nearly 40% reduced physical activity or exercise. Daytime activities were interrupted in 73% of cases. Among everyday activities, automobile driving (53%) and travel (43%) were most frequently cited as bothersome or extremely bothersome between episodes.
Anxiety levels averaged 3.1 on a 7-point scale, with 26% of participants reporting extreme anxiety at some point during the study period. Medication side effects also posed challenges, as 65% of patients rated fatigue and weakness as bothersome or extremely bothersome. Dissatisfaction with sleep (30%) and work capacity (22%) was also reported.
PSVT is characterized by sudden episodes of rapid heartbeats, often exceeding 150 to 200 beats per minute. An estimated 2 million people in the United States are affected by the condition.
