Heart Monitor Results Worry Me

[Cheers]

I wore a 30 day event monitor recently. I just got a call from the RN and it was not what I wanted to hear. I had been feeling more palps lately and I wanted the test so that I could be reassured that I am indeed ok.

I have been taking a beta blocker (25mg of metoprolol) for 8 years due to an tachycardia attack which sent me to the ER. As far as I knew, it has been doing great at keeping my heart in check. But around my period - I get more palps.

So this is what she said:

A few PACs
One PAC couplet
and (what really upsets me) a 7 beat SVT

I never knew I was having any couplets and I do worry about this. But what really makes me mad is the SVT. I had no idea this was happening. I was really hoping I would have more assurance that I was safe and ok. But this is the opposite (tho I do know it could be worse).

I have SO much anxiety about my heart. And now knowing that SVT is cropping up, it really worries me.

Since day one I have been petrified of having an EP study or ablation. Want to avoid it at all costs - except my safety of course. She said that the Dr said that was a possible option if this was causing a problem in my life. But honestly, the only problem it is causing is the intense fear and anxiety. If I can KNOW that it won't hurt or kill me...I would be ok.

What do you make of this? Any words of wisdom here??

I really appreciate you reading!!

Heather (38) - otherwise healthy, good echo and ekg results, great lipids

[Cheers]

Ha!! No kidding! Truth is, I barely felt anything during that 30 day monitor!! It does oddly make me feel secure. I do think the holter will give a better picture tho since it may pick up things I do not feel. Although, I thought I felt EVERYthing. I am far too over sensitive to everything in my body.

Thanks for responding!! You guys have really helped.

[SassyLassie]

I would not worry to much about the SVT, it could be just a close run of PVC's even. A 48 hour event monitor should help ease your mine.

I am wearing a 7 day KOH right now, it makes me feel secure, so, I have not had any episodes, but, when they take my monitor off, back they come, so, for me, it is all stress related.

[Cheers]

Thanks guys. This helps so much.

My mom works in a hospital and spoke with someone in her Cardio dept. She suggested seeing a regular cardio for their opinion as sometimes EPs are quick to suggest ablation.

During my appt on Fri, I will ask for a 48 hour Holter as I think that may be more accurate. After that, I will probably seek a second opinion once I have all results.

For now, I need to calm down and pull myself together. I feel so sorry for my therapist today LOL.

Thanks again. I so appreciate it.

[MichelleP_3811]

I was awake as well for my ablation and it really is not a big deal at all.  The apprehension the week before was more stressful than the actual ablation.  I had avnrt and unlike Tom I think I only needed one burn though he hit the spot twice to make sure he made a good scar.  But like Tom said, I don't think you are in any need to rush into an ablation .  I might even question an EP pushing one on you.  Mine made it totally voluntary even though I was getting episodes every other week.  Which just goes to show the cardiac community does not see the condition as a life or death situation.   Well good luck at the docs and let us know how it went.

[tom_h]

Yup, she has big brass ones that's for sure!  I believe her procedure was typical of what most conscious patients experience, and that's why I continually reference her experience.  I also see people like myself who elect general anesthesia.  I had a very positive experience going that route, and wouldn't hesitate to go that route again.  My physician preferred general to being awake.  He was confident that he could find my SVT, and get it going even in the relaxed state that I wa in. It also allows him to totally concentrate on the job without worrying about patient comfort.  The burn process can be uncomfortable too.  Mine required him to literally connect 17 burn spots to form a line to bridge the conductive muscle.  That would have been uncomfortable while awake.  So, if your path eventually leads to this procedure, I advise you to check with your EP, and decide what method you prefer.  If you're having short runs which last only a couple of seconds, you're probably have a long way to go before an EP study would be suggested.  Remember, the heart is a muscle, and like all muscles it sometimes twitches a little.  Everybody experiences an occasional jump or skip.  To put things into perspective, there are people on here who have thousands of skips per day; exceeding ten thousand.  So an occasional is well within normal "operation" so to speak.  Relax!

[Cheers]

I have read the majority of her posts now. Wow. It just sounds too good to be true...or that she is some kind of superhero or something. So brave. Do you think the majority of ablations are like this???

[Cheers]

Thank you Michelle. Your words mean more than you know. Youd think at 38 I would have more of a grip on my fears. My appt is Friday and it cannot get here soon enough!!

Thanks again...so much!!

[Cheers]

Thank you Tom. That is very reassuring. I will look up the journals! I actually take 12.5mg twice a day. I know it is very low. My EP told me to try to keep it low as I still have a little weight to lose (about 10 lbs). Clearly, that may be less of an option.

I know I probably sound like such a baby. I have HUGE health anxiety and it all focuses around heart issues. My father died in front of me at the age of 46 and that really brought my mortality to a ridiculous level of consciousness. I hate being this way.

Thank you again.

[MichelleP_3811]

A seven beat count of svt does not sound like a major problem to me.  It is likely it was 7 beats of pacs as opposed to an accessory pathway svt though the doctor is the only who can determine that.  Are you having any shortness of breath, dizziness or feelings as though you would faint with these palpitations?  If not then if I were you I wouldn't bother with the ablation.  In the first place the EP has to be able to induce the problem and the amount you have does not seem nearly enough to get a good read on mapping the errant electrical paths in your heart so you could wind up going in for a very expensive procedure and not accomplishing anything.  That said, the procedure is actually a piece of cake.  I have had 2 full abdominal surgeries and an ablation is like a walk in the park compared to them.  If you are interested in reading about one you can click on my name and go to my profile and read about my ablation but I really don't think you are at point of needing one right now.  And if it makes you feel any better still, pacs are less of a worry than pvcs and most cardiologist won't even broach an ablation for them unless you have 20,000 or more.  Well anyways, I suggest going in and talking to the cardiologist.  I am sure he can give you more reassurance that you are fine and will continue to live a long healthy life.  Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.

[tom_h]

Here's Jannie411's journal entry for her procedure:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/index/1642095?page=8&personal_page_id=2100263&sort_by=date

[tom_h]

First stop worrying about your SVT events!  I had SVT for 54 years, anywhere from 3-5 times per month.  Most SVT's are not dangerous, and I could have only hoped for runs as short as 7 beats.

Secondly, in my opinion, you're needlessly worrying about the electrophysiology procedure.  Many of us here on the forum have had them.  Some have had them wide awake, and other like myself had it done under general anesthesia.  If you look up the user "Jannie411" and check her journals, she gives a very good rundown of what hapened to her, as she had hers done while she was wide awake.  If you look at my journals, mine stops as got on the cath table and picks up again in the recovery room.  I was fast asleep.  If your route points you towards the EP procedure with probable ablation, look upon it as a new beginning.  At 60, I was freed of a 54 year millstone that I carried all through life.  The procedure has let me freely live without fear of an inopportune event.

By the way 25mg. (I assume) twice a day is a very low dose.  You have a lot of room to work with it.