Supraventricular Tachycardia: Symptoms?

[hello1212hello]

Hi everyone,

I am 18 and was just diagnosed with SVT, but have not found my specific symptoms on any websites that I've looked at. I would love to see if any of you that know you have SVT have these similar specific symptoms, for my own peace of mind.

Here are my symptoms:

My SVT episodes only happen when I am exercising. I can always tell when SVT is about to happen, as I feel that my heart is somehow "jumping" in my throat. It starts very suddenly, and feels like my heart is beating very rapidly in my throat. I get very anxious when this happens, and kind of feel like I'm floating, somehow detached from what's going on (but still aware and able to think, talk, act pretty much the same--if in a social situation, and know where I am). My episodes normally last between 5-10 minutes, and I usually just put my head between my knees and take deep breaths. Each episode ends with a pain in my head (most likely blood rushing to my head--Does anyone else feel this at the end of an episode?), and again just as they start, they end very suddenly.

I would also like to add that I have never fainted, and have probably had in total 15 episodes. They have become more frequent as I've gotten older, but only maybe 2 per year.

Please let me know if your symptoms are similar, as all I've been able to find on websites is that SVT symptoms include: chest discomfort, pounding pulse/ racing or fluttering feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, sweating, etc. I feel all of these except chest discomfort--does anyone else not feel pain in their chest? I have also noticed that these symptoms do not contain things like the feeling when I know it's about to start, or the pain in my head at the end.

Also, I have had 3 EKG's and a stress test, so know that my heart rate is normal. But, one of my friends was just diagnosed with Long QT syndrome, and although I know the disease is generally found on EKG's, I want to make sure that having 3 EKG's and stress test is enough to tell that I don't have Long QT syndrome. Otherwise, I'd like to have a genetic test done.

Thanks so much for your help!

[tom_h]

What you're describing is consistent with Supra ventricular Tachycardia.  The symptoms and the effects it causes can be described differently from person to person.  Many describe that "heart in the throat" feeling.  What you should know is that most types if SVT is typically not a dangerous condition.  I experienced 54 years of SVT, and Michelle above had it for many years as well.  If your episodes become frequent, several times a month, you could look into getting fixed permanently as Michelle and I did through a procedure referred to as cardiac ablation.  In the meantime, you should learn the techniques to convert an episode of SVT back to normal rhythm.  If you're working out, exercising, or participating in strenuous activities, or sports, your respiration rate must return to near resting level before attempting a conversion.  You'll wear yourself out otherwise.

[MichelleP_3811]

SVT and Long QT are totally different conditions.  Having one does not predispose a person to having the other so if your ekg testing was fine I would not worry about long QT.  Long QT becomes a concern mostly if there is a family history of sudden death or a preponderance of a person falling into VT.  You do however very likely have svt.  Peoples general symptoms can vary but the telltale sign of it is that it starts and stops very abruptly.  I did not have pain or sweating with my svt episodes unless I let them go on for too long.  So I would not worry about not having chest pain.  It is good you don't have it because that means your heart isn't feeling stressed out.  It is possible the head pain is because you are putting your head between your knees.  I haven't heard of anyone having the head pain but I have heard of people having migraines after having had an episode but again I wouldn't worry about it.  Maybe try to not put your head between your knees and see if that helps.  Just try to hold your breath and bare down like straining to go to the bathroom and see if that helps it to stop faster.  Or drink a cold glass of water or cough and jump up and down.  If it continues for too long then go to the er to get it to stop.  

This all aside have you been offered an ablation to try and correct the issue for good?  Ablation is really the only way to ensure that you no longer have episodes.  When I was younger it was only intense exercise that would trigger my episodes but as I aged it would just happen randomly without any provocation so you may want to consider trying an ablation to correct it because it won't go away on its own but it is helpful if it is more active.  If you are only having it once a year it may be hard to map and ablate but at some point you may want to consider an ablation to be free from the condition for good.  Take care.