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.)

[Jannie411]

As I read these posts, everyone's resiliance and spirit comes through, despite what we've all been through it's made us stronger people.  Thank you for sharing your story with all of us.  I am very  glad to hear you're doing so well.  Every success story here gives me hope, that I can do it too.  Please keep me posted on how you're doing.

[Jannie411]

Hi.....I hear ya about the caffeine......it did awful things to me, but I loved that energy kick.....haven't had a cup of real coffee in years.  Can't even drink decaf anymore.  I refuse to give up my chocolate though.....I treat myself to a few small squares every week.  Don't dare go overboard though.

Interesting to hear that protein seems to lessen SVT issues.  I will up my intake and see if it makes a difference.  I can also relate to the "trapped" feeling.  Everytime I go somewhere, the first thing I do is scout the room and find out where the nearest exit is.  I also can't stand crowded elevators......if an elevator has too many people (more than a couple), I wait for the next one to come along.   Thank goodness we all have one another to discuss these things with....not too many other people understand what a challenge this is.

[Jannie411]

Hi Tom, thanks so much for all your help and explaining things to me over the past few weeks.  I look forward to chatting with you again later this week.  P.S.  I hope someday you and your wife get to go on that cruise.......the Caribbean is a beautiful place to visit in the spring.

[Jannie411]

Hi...I definitely will drop you a note and let you know how it went.  Looking forward to sharing my experiences and comparing notes with everyone.

[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?

[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...