Clarification: is svt life threatening ?

[Ladolce]

I read in one of your doctor's answer that svt could cause heart failure if you experience frequent episodes in many years.  I would like to have some more details on this. Since I have been having svt for nearly 3 years. Episodes are very frequent I can have more than one in a week and sometimes one in 4 weeks. The episodes are long. In the beginning I had to go the ER to stop them. Then I waited at home for 6 hours or so for them to stop. Now the episode is about 2 hours. The speed can peak to 180 but usually its around 140-150. I tried beta-blockers but could not live with them, I had very low blood pressure and fatigue. The only thing that I do is take one rythmonorm when I have an episode. Until now I have refused to go on medication, scared by the side effects and because all doctors told me that I had a good heart and svt is not life threatening- but it is life poisoning. I am a woman, 52, very anxious and very active. So could you plz tell me how much life threatening my condition is ?

[Ladolce]

Thank you Rob.
In fact I am not in the United States. I am in Lebanon but we have good doctors and hospitals here too. Sometimes some of the best. The problem is that i dont like agressive procedure and I consider ablation agressive.
I may sound stupid but you are some how insisting 'Please consider making every effort'; does it mean that I am at risk if things go on like that?? or its just to improve life quality ? Could you please be clear on this.
Thank you

[Rob2008]

Ladolce,   SVT ablation is a very safe procedure IN THE RIGHT HANDS.    Are you in the United States?   Please consider making every effort to see an Electrophysiologist at a well known (Cleveland Clinic) or a nearby University hospital.   I am certain your life will improve!

[Ladolce]

Thank you for your very helpful and very rapid answer. But I would like to know why the frequency is dangerous. Is it because it can cause coronary artery disease or is it because one of these days with age I may have coronary artery disease and it qill become dangerous, Sorry for insisting but I am not very sure about the ablation, if it doesn't work, its worse than before.

[Cleveland Clinic]

SVT is typically not directly life threatening, however, it can cause you heart to fail if very frequent which can then be life threatening.  If you are having lots of SVT episodes and can't tolerate medications other then the pill in the pocket rythmol you should consider an EP study and a ablation.  In some SVT cases this is close to 100% curative.  Also most SVT's in the 140 to 180 range aren't directly lifethreatening, however, in patients with coronary artery disease, for example, they can brought on low blood flow to the heart which then can cause ischemia and further complications.