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SVT's
I was in the emergency room on Friday for SVT's running in the high 180's. I have had them higher. All the tests they took did not show anything (they did EKG, chest x-ray, blood work,etc.) They gave the medication to stop them because I was not able to stop them by myself. My cardio has told me these are benign but this time I got awfully dizzy and almost passed out. They have not prescribed me a beta blocker to take but it gives me an awful headache. SInce I was dizzy this time do you feel like ablation should be my next step? I have had mnor SVT's all my life but since I have gotten into my 40-50's thy have gotten worse. I am 188 lbs and 5'3" and need to lose weight and exercise more. Also will exercise help to strenghten my heart and cause the SVT's to not be as bad? Any help or advise will be appreciated.
I had an ablation in Aug. and have not had SVT since. For me, it was the best thing I could have done. I just couldn't go on worrying when the next SVT episode would start.
I found the ablation was no big deal. My procedure lasted about 2 and a half hours and it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be
.
I'd be happy to answer any questions for you.
Betty
I found the ablation was no big deal. My procedure lasted about 2 and a half hours and it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be
.
I'd be happy to answer any questions for you.
Betty
That certainly must have been a scary experience. I too was extremely physically fit when my first incident occurred and never had any episodes or disturbances leading up to my first experience... I’m sure my doctor was initially concerned that I had athlete's heart (which I do not). The only symptom I had during my first episode was a pounding, irregular heart beat. I had no clue what was going on and didn’t even go to the ER for an hour. I was diagnosed with a lone case of A Fib (caused by excessive caffeine some alcohol) and was electrically cardioverted to normal rhythm. I had no symptoms for the following 9 months when I suddenly began getting fairly rare episodes of brief tachycardia. I guess I'm fairly lucky in that the episodes are not accompanied by any other symptoms (other than the follow up anxiety and stress) All tests show a structurally normal heart. My GP recommended to my cardiologist that I get a cardiac MRI to be sure...
Hi Andrew
mine started at 31 and was a massive surprise to me as I was fit and active with no regard for any heart problems and no symptoms at all. On a Sunday morning I felt unwell and my heart started racing at an incredible speed and then my left arm became almost paralysed and my hand constricted into a claw - they rang for an ambulance and my mother in law massaged my chest to try and help but I thought I was a goner. the doctor gave me a morphine injection - for the pain I think - and i ended up in the cardio unit all wired up and stayed there for a week.
I came out a complete wreck and was so traumatised that the slightest thing set me off - even watching a film could do it! I lived for years with the taste of beta blockers under my tongue and couldn't even drive without stopping for pulse checks and then sitting with a beta blocker until I was satisfied with the pulse rate. It was no life at all.
Like you the onset of my 'triggers' was instantaneous - saturday i was not aware of any problems but from that sunday I was very very aware.
My fight back was very very long because I DID NOT HAVE THIS FORUM AND ONLY FOUND IT THIS YEAR.
My diary was the start - I recorded my pulse at frequent intervals and everything that i ate or drank plus what i was doing - i found patterns which for me were things to avoid.
I also found that anxiety and the resultant biochemical responses were also very powerful 'triggers' so set out to remove anxiety.
I did this by yoga, meditation and positive visualisation - finding a place within me where i was safe and could retreat to - I also tried hypnotherapy and found self hypnosis tapes very useful for deep relaxation and for accepting positive post hypnotic suggestions.
I really believe that you can communicate with all your cells in ypur body through meditation and use visualisation to enrgise and coordinate them.
as for exercise - get out in nature - find beautiful places and absorb them within you - use them again as places to retreat to when you feel stressed - walking is great for you.
Finally i got into crystals whose vibrations I find very energising and healing.
Sorry for the rambling nature of this post but I am trying to cover too much.
You need to build confidence again and by keeping the diary you are no longer a victim as you knpw you can beat this and every thing that you identify and eliminate builds confidence.
If U get an SVT now I know why it's happening - I also know it's frightening but it's not going to kill me and I damm well make sure i don't be that stupid again in a hurry.
I will be very interested in your progress and send you my best wishes and will help any way i can
dave
mine started at 31 and was a massive surprise to me as I was fit and active with no regard for any heart problems and no symptoms at all. On a Sunday morning I felt unwell and my heart started racing at an incredible speed and then my left arm became almost paralysed and my hand constricted into a claw - they rang for an ambulance and my mother in law massaged my chest to try and help but I thought I was a goner. the doctor gave me a morphine injection - for the pain I think - and i ended up in the cardio unit all wired up and stayed there for a week.
I came out a complete wreck and was so traumatised that the slightest thing set me off - even watching a film could do it! I lived for years with the taste of beta blockers under my tongue and couldn't even drive without stopping for pulse checks and then sitting with a beta blocker until I was satisfied with the pulse rate. It was no life at all.
Like you the onset of my 'triggers' was instantaneous - saturday i was not aware of any problems but from that sunday I was very very aware.
My fight back was very very long because I DID NOT HAVE THIS FORUM AND ONLY FOUND IT THIS YEAR.
My diary was the start - I recorded my pulse at frequent intervals and everything that i ate or drank plus what i was doing - i found patterns which for me were things to avoid.
I also found that anxiety and the resultant biochemical responses were also very powerful 'triggers' so set out to remove anxiety.
I did this by yoga, meditation and positive visualisation - finding a place within me where i was safe and could retreat to - I also tried hypnotherapy and found self hypnosis tapes very useful for deep relaxation and for accepting positive post hypnotic suggestions.
I really believe that you can communicate with all your cells in ypur body through meditation and use visualisation to enrgise and coordinate them.
as for exercise - get out in nature - find beautiful places and absorb them within you - use them again as places to retreat to when you feel stressed - walking is great for you.
Finally i got into crystals whose vibrations I find very energising and healing.
Sorry for the rambling nature of this post but I am trying to cover too much.
You need to build confidence again and by keeping the diary you are no longer a victim as you knpw you can beat this and every thing that you identify and eliminate builds confidence.
If U get an SVT now I know why it's happening - I also know it's frightening but it's not going to kill me and I damm well make sure i don't be that stupid again in a hurry.
I will be very interested in your progress and send you my best wishes and will help any way i can
dave
Hello greendave. I am curious with your story, as it is somewhat similar to mine. I have been dealing with SVT for about a year and can't find myself accepting the condition and trusting my doctors word that it is not something more serious. I am 27yo and do not want to deal with years of stress over this. I am already finding myself overly-cautious when it comes to daily life, which is probably causing me more anxiety than ever before.
One question I have: I never really had an intolerance towards certain foods or even alcohol before my first case of SVT one year ago. Now suddenly, I seem to be affected quite frequently. Did you also experience this sudden onset of intolerance to certain foods/drinks? I have given up caffeine... I am not even sure if this contributed to my SVT as I quit cold turkey, not wanting to risk another episode. I went from drinking several cups of coffee a day to absolutely none...
I have also put on a bit of weight as my level of physical activity has dramatically decreased... once again, I dont really know if excercise would induce SVT... I am simply too afraid to try...
Is it wise to experiment with ones tolerance when it comes to SVT?
Anyways, as you can see, I am in the beginning stage of my life with SVT... not quite sure how to deal with it yet.
One question I have: I never really had an intolerance towards certain foods or even alcohol before my first case of SVT one year ago. Now suddenly, I seem to be affected quite frequently. Did you also experience this sudden onset of intolerance to certain foods/drinks? I have given up caffeine... I am not even sure if this contributed to my SVT as I quit cold turkey, not wanting to risk another episode. I went from drinking several cups of coffee a day to absolutely none...
I have also put on a bit of weight as my level of physical activity has dramatically decreased... once again, I dont really know if excercise would induce SVT... I am simply too afraid to try...
Is it wise to experiment with ones tolerance when it comes to SVT?
Anyways, as you can see, I am in the beginning stage of my life with SVT... not quite sure how to deal with it yet.
Thanks for your comments. I go and see my cardo guy today to discuss options. I will let you know what we decide. I am kinda scared of the ablation but I am more scared of going through life scared of the next SVT attack. Thanks again and I will keep you posted.
Hi Pamela
I ended up in hospital for a week (suspected heart attack) as my introduction to the wonderful world of SVT's and that was 21 years ago. I 'lived' like a zombie for far too many years, thanks to beta blockers, under constant fear of the next attack and had to find out for myself how to 'live' a quality life.
Not only have i not had an ablation I didn't even know what one was!
I was lucky in that I started keeping a diary of my pulse and what I ate and drank and did.There was a clear pattern of csrtain foods (I became a vegetarian) and in particular for me alcohol was the number ! guaranteed to give ne a 2am wake up an SVT incident that often lasted till dawn. So i lived by my rules and things got better - but of course your body is unique and it would be interesting to see if you can keep a diary and find out if you react badly to any food, drink or stress.
On exercise i have gone from frightened couch potato to a mountaineer by starting slowly and exercising outdoors - I am a firm believer in being outdoors somewhere beautiful - consider starting by gentle walks. I have seen so much damage done by so called 'exercising' where the only result seems to be injuries. I have no intention of joining the 'hamsters' on the 'treadmills'
As Lagoya said you will get plenty of different views but one common thread, in that we all have been there and know what you are going through.
Best wishes
dave
I ended up in hospital for a week (suspected heart attack) as my introduction to the wonderful world of SVT's and that was 21 years ago. I 'lived' like a zombie for far too many years, thanks to beta blockers, under constant fear of the next attack and had to find out for myself how to 'live' a quality life.
Not only have i not had an ablation I didn't even know what one was!
I was lucky in that I started keeping a diary of my pulse and what I ate and drank and did.There was a clear pattern of csrtain foods (I became a vegetarian) and in particular for me alcohol was the number ! guaranteed to give ne a 2am wake up an SVT incident that often lasted till dawn. So i lived by my rules and things got better - but of course your body is unique and it would be interesting to see if you can keep a diary and find out if you react badly to any food, drink or stress.
On exercise i have gone from frightened couch potato to a mountaineer by starting slowly and exercising outdoors - I am a firm believer in being outdoors somewhere beautiful - consider starting by gentle walks. I have seen so much damage done by so called 'exercising' where the only result seems to be injuries. I have no intention of joining the 'hamsters' on the 'treadmills'
As Lagoya said you will get plenty of different views but one common thread, in that we all have been there and know what you are going through.
Best wishes
dave
hi
i was suffering a lot of svt and went for the ablation more than a year ago and had a massive difference was able to come off most of the meds and had a good improvement in quality of life ,i have still a few minor hipcups ,but it is worth it and u should at least talk about it with your doc ,and maybe see what they think ,the success rate are high and the producure is not as bad as it sounds ,u will get a good bit of support in here from all the lovely folks who post ,beta blockers are not sometimes the best thing for svt depending on origin ,some cardios will give anti-arrthyhmias which can have side effects,but again it all depends on you .i know when i was getting a lot of svt attacks i would get dizzy as well and had a lot of problems driving and things like that ,some find fish oils and cq10 a good help with these as well as avoiding the usual suspects caffeine etc
hope u feel better soon and keep posted
i was suffering a lot of svt and went for the ablation more than a year ago and had a massive difference was able to come off most of the meds and had a good improvement in quality of life ,i have still a few minor hipcups ,but it is worth it and u should at least talk about it with your doc ,and maybe see what they think ,the success rate are high and the producure is not as bad as it sounds ,u will get a good bit of support in here from all the lovely folks who post ,beta blockers are not sometimes the best thing for svt depending on origin ,some cardios will give anti-arrthyhmias which can have side effects,but again it all depends on you .i know when i was getting a lot of svt attacks i would get dizzy as well and had a lot of problems driving and things like that ,some find fish oils and cq10 a good help with these as well as avoiding the usual suspects caffeine etc
hope u feel better soon and keep posted
Hello...
I'm sorry that you had to go through this unpleasant event. It sounds like you may have come to the point where ablation may be the answer.
If you are not able to tolerate the medications that are used to help keep this arrhythmia at bay, an ablation would hopefully offer you a cure.
It is a horrible way to live never knowing when the next round of SVT is going to strike. Not knowing if the symptoms, associated with it, will be worse than the time before. This is not what I call "quality of life" Going through an EP Study will allow your Dr to pinpoint where the SVT is originating from and then ablate it. If it is the garden variety SVT called AVNRT (AV Node Reentrant Tachycardia) these ablations offer a 98% success rate of never recuring again.
There are many members here that have been through recent procedures. I'm sure they will jump in here and be able to offer some of thier success stories.
I wish you the best as you try and decide what will be your best option. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.:)
I'm sorry that you had to go through this unpleasant event. It sounds like you may have come to the point where ablation may be the answer.
If you are not able to tolerate the medications that are used to help keep this arrhythmia at bay, an ablation would hopefully offer you a cure.
It is a horrible way to live never knowing when the next round of SVT is going to strike. Not knowing if the symptoms, associated with it, will be worse than the time before. This is not what I call "quality of life" Going through an EP Study will allow your Dr to pinpoint where the SVT is originating from and then ablate it. If it is the garden variety SVT called AVNRT (AV Node Reentrant Tachycardia) these ablations offer a 98% success rate of never recuring again.
There are many members here that have been through recent procedures. I'm sure they will jump in here and be able to offer some of thier success stories.
I wish you the best as you try and decide what will be your best option. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.:)
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