Question: How has SVT adversely affected your life?

[Jannie411]

I'm curious - how has SVT adversely affected your life?  What have you had to give up and how have you had to modify your life because of SVT?

Last night, I was pondering the many ways SVT has changed the way I live over the last 25+ years.  So many favorite foods and beverages I've had to give up, so many activities I no longer take part in.  I've posted a short list of things below.  

Foods, beverages, and OTC medications........No more.....
-  Alcoholic beverages
-  Caffeinated beverages - soda, coffee, tea.   And have stopped decaf beverages as well.
-  Soda, diet soda, and any other beverages containing aspartame or artificial sweeteners
-  Cough and cold medicines - anything with Pseudoephedrine
-  Allergy medications
-  Chocolate - fortunately only have to give this up temporarily until after ablation.

Outdoor & Indoor Activities and other things that will trigger an SVT event.
-  Hiking.....which I absolutely loved.  My heart can't handle uphill climbing.  For whatever reason, walking downhill isn't a problem, only uphill.
-  Climbing stairs - barely able to climb a flight or two of stairs without having to stop.  This has been one of my biggest triggers for SVT.
-  Roller coasters and amusement parks in general.  (And I love roller coasters, the bigger the better!)
-  Exercise - no more walking on the treadmill till my cardiologist gives the OK after ablation.
-  Volleyball - another activity I loved, had to give this up 25 years ago
-  Aerobics - had a really bad SVT event in the middle of an aerobics class - very embarrassing, that was the end of the aerobics.
-  Swimming in the ocean - cold water guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Work functions - I used to take a vacation or sick day anytime the company had an employee activity, like going to a waterpark, beach, party, participating in presentations, holiday parties, etc.  Did not want to take the chance of having an attack in a crowd of people.  This gained me the reputation of being "antisocial".  Only my boss and HR knew about the SVT and kept it in confidence.
-  Working out in the yard.  I feel bad that I can't help my husband with the yardwork and gardening.
-  Snow shoveling ...... ok, this was something I didn't enjoy, but nevertheless it's another thing on the "do not do" list.
-  Climbing stairs - guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Taking hot showers - guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Stooping, kneeling, or squatting - fair chance of setting off an SVT event when I got up.
-  And one of the worst things - being startled by the phone ringing in the middle of the night.  It always set off an SVT event.  (Unfortunately, we're not able to turn off the phone as I have an elderly parent who isn't in the best of health.)

[littlegreenman1]

I was only concerned about dying a couple times, but once that passed my EP said, "Quit running (until after the ablation) or you'll end up in the ER again."

So, I missed out on:
caffeine (back on a 30g a day habit thank you)
My wife was always worried about my running. I do marathons, so the time on the road can be up to 3 hours.
I was always "looking over my shoulder" for the next attack.
I didn't train as hard as I wanted...
I miss my savings account and disposable income. (read: if you don't know what the "max out of pocket" is on your insurance plan... you will.)

[cooneystar]

i has svt for 5 to 6 years an im on beat blockers an idnt think they work an iv refussed avin a pacemarker cud any 1 help me i dnt no wot to do abwt it..

[Elli126]

Everything in my life has been affected by PSVT. I've had PVCs and PACs for more than 20 years and now for the last coupla years the PSVT ( everyone on here has heard my rants about this ) I gave up all sorts of things like everyone else, the coffee, chocolate alcahol etc etc etc. But the biggest change has been the day to day fear. I recently moved into a new house and am living alone and live in fear every day of the next attack. The Inderal is doing ok but I haven't gotten the cash together yet to see an EP ( theres avery good one close by ) no insurance at this time. I own my own business and can't afford to buy insurance plans yet. Anyway I'm dealing with it day to day because I have no other choice-but  I can tell you I HATE it.

[Janpes]

Ask your cardio to refer you for an EP study with a possible ablation, you won't regret it.

[Mom2four85]

couple of questions...
I'm trying to understand SVT a bit more - how can you die from it? I haven't read that before

SVT and PSVT are the same thing? does it start out as "infrequent' as PSVT then more attacks occur? - atrial stuff is all new to me.

I thought the only dangerous arrhythmia originated in the ventricles?

I was dx with Pac's and PSVT after my ablation but doctor's say not to worry about it like my pvc's and VT...

[Mom2four85]

thanks for posting this; sorry for all the questions.

that's alot of info and reading about SVT/PSVT is an eye opener...after chatting with Is_something_wrong about holter monitors I'm wondering how many of my pvc's were really pac's or vt/svt...

is there a way to really tell the difference when you have all kinds of arrhythmia's if the doctors don't look at your holter monitors?