SVT or V-Tach?

[zipper777]

I am a 45 year woman with no health ailments except this heart thing going on.  First skip I ever felt was when I was around 23 years old.

I have always had PVC's and PAC's and I have been thru every test imaginable including an EP study to find out they are benign.  The only thing that was seen on a holter was a 5 beat run of v-tach and that is the reason they were so thorough on checking everthing out.  Needless to say they chalked it up to my major anxiety and panic attacks that was the reason my heart would beat irreguarly.  I have now been on Prozac 40mg for almost a year and I only get maybe 1 or 2 skips a day and don't really care about them anymore.  I have been "guaranteed" I have a normal heart and not to worry but it still "bugs" me when it does weird things.

My question is maybe every couple of weeks or so my heart will kind of take off into this fluttery fast beat for a few seconds and then just goes back to regular on its own.  It is just a strange feeling in my chest when it takes off for no reason.  I get this when I am just standing around doing nothing or just sitting watching TV.  Does this sound like anything to be concerned about or does this sound normal to you?

Thank you!!!!

[malan]

Hi Zipper
Just read your comments. Four beats were caught on the holter, but it was one of my minor episodes. The more major ones never seem to oblige by coming when I am attached to the machines. That's why I am a little sceptical of the Doc's reports!-also because they cant locate a cause for the attacks. How often do your attacks come and have you been able to find the trigger? What about the side-effects of your medication?

[rbeans]

I am going in for an ablation on Tuesday for my VT. I also have had stress test, echo, etc.
My Cardio and EP Drs tell me not to worry. If you have structurally normal heart VT is not life threatening. They also tell me that the ablation could be a cure for me.

We will see after Tuesday :)

Try not to worry too much! We are all in the same boat. Look on the Heart Rhythm Forum for more info. and friends
.

[zipper777]

Hi Malan.  Read your posting.  So how many beats of v-tach were caught on your monitor.  I also have a VERY tough time believing it when they say "benign".  My doctor even showed me the report for the cardiologist and it read "benign PVC's" but I can't wrap my head around it!

[malan]

I am in almost the same position as you, except that I am male.I too felt the first skip when I was around 24, and now at 45 I have been diagnosed with v-tach. All tests, except for EP study which I have avoided, point to a structurally normal heart. I was prescribed beta-blockers which also I have avoided due to fear of side-effects. Yet for me the worry remains despite the re-assurances of the docs. The heart going crazy can be very scary .I suppose the only thing to do is to learn to put up with it and pray hard!

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

It sounds like you have had the full work up.  In all likelihood, it is nothing to worry about since your doctor has given you a clean bill of health.  It is more important to ask your doctor this because I haven't seen any of your records.  If I had done all those studies on a patient and found them to be normal, I would feel very comfortable reassuring them that it was not dangerous.

I hope this helps.