Exercise-induced SVT

[anacyde]

This condition sucks.  If (during exercise) I move just the right way or of my heart rate gets too high, all it takes is one PAC and I go into SVT.  This means I have to stop what I am doing, bear down, then go splash cold water on my face before I can resume what I was doing.  It always seems to happen when I'm really feeling my best, too.  Talk about a buzzkill!

Since the episodes are so short, usually less than 30 seconds, my cardiologist says they require no treatment and certainly not an EP.  The episodes vary from happening with nearly every workout to vanishing completely for months at a time.  I also have PACs and PVCs which are considered a "normal variant".  But GEEZ!  It would be so awesome if my heart would just stay in NSR and I didn't even have to THINK about it.

I'd like to talk to other exercise-induced SVT/PSVT sufferers.  I'm sure there are some of you here, this isn't uncommon.  I'd like to discuss strategies and helpful tips in managing this, what you've found helpful and what seems to tigger you.

[tom_h]

Hi Alex.  I got your message.  In my younger days, I competed in some criteriums, and a lot of track cycling.  I leaned more towards sprint cycling, becasue it was shorter distances than road cycling and because I lived near a velodrome. I cross trained with short track speed skating in the opposite season. I had a particular time with cycling as I think bearing down on the cranks caused me to perform inadvertent Valsalvas, and the abrupt change in blood pressure sometimes set it off.  I retired from cycling years ago following a bad crash in a local criterium where I was involved with a number of other riders.  Two surgeries later, I promised my wife I'd give it up.  I still skate, coaching, and racing in the Grand Master division; ie. really old guys.


242 is up there.  I varied from 210 to 260.  It was dependent on what I was doing at the time it started up,  Of course high respiration resulted in high rates.  As a kid of 6, I was hospitalized with a rate of 312 with had been going on for over 24 hours.  Fortunately, the hospital was able to slow it.  That was back in the mid 1950's before the modern drugs of today.

At 54, you should keep an eye on the number of events you are experiencing.  My cardiologist was concerned how my aging heart would respond to the high rates I was experiencing.  My events were about 3-5 times per month.  Many of these events were at rest, a phenomenon I observed as I got older; more at rest and less under physical stress.  Catheter ablation cured mine, and I'll celebrate 2 years free of SVT next week after having had it for 54 years.

[alexn48]

I am 54 years of age. I took up cycling at 50, with anatural ability I even started veterans racing. I embarked on a regular training regime. Last year while training I had an SVT-242bpm!!! I've had about 5 episodes since. The fact that it happens during cycling is now very frustrating and even making me feel depressed. I eat a careful diet and avoid alcohol, really don't know what to do

[tom_h]

Yes, get to an electrophysiologist and see about getting it fixed.  Martial arts involve body movements, and abrupt internal pressure changes that are a playground for SVT. If you aspire to excell and be among the best in your chosen sport, I know from experience that SVT will prevent you from getting there.  Do yoga for spiritual insight and tranquility, not as a prevention for "exercise induced SVT".  Unlike yourself, I endured a lifetime because there was no cure.  You don't have to.

[littlegreenman1]

Go see an Electrophysiologist (cardiologist who specializes in heart rhythm).  19 is too young to deal with that for life.

There's a decent shot you can get this fixed.

[karategirl18]

i'm 19 and i was "diagnosed" a year and a half ago. My attacks came on suddenly. I was involved in high intensity martial arts training for almost 8 years at that point, and suddenly i could barely walk up the stairs without running out of breath. my doctor didn't know what it was causing this, and the children's heart doctors wouldn't make a firm diagnosis about it. All of your stories have given me some great ways to deal with these episodes. I am starting yoga this summer and all of your stories are a great help.

[Lisa62066]

Holly there are more people like me out there.. This is stopping me form getting to my ideal weight.  Other then being over weight I am pretty healthly.  I eat healthy, get all my water and fruits and veggies everyday, keep my calories within 1200-1600 for the most part.  I work out 3-5 times a week sometimes for 2 hours.  
I have been to doctor after doctor had all the test you can think of that dont involve surgery.  My cardiologist put me on Metoprolol Tartrate  low low dose and it seems to help the severity of the episodes but not they happen during working out - bike ride specifically or anytime I do a treadmill work out that makes my heart go up and down.

has anyone found help or an answer for this what the f is it.
Lisa