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Arythmia and Coronary Artery Spasms

My wife was diagnosed with SVT several years ago.  She has undergone ablation procedure but the SVT has returned.  On top of this she is now diagnosed with Atrial Tachycardia and Coronary Artery Spasms.  She is in her early 30's and I just hope and pray everyday for some relief so that she can live a normal life.  What treatments tend to work?  She has been perscribed meds and will be going through the observation period to find the correct combination to control her condition.  What are your experiences with these diagnosis?  What should I watch for and when should I seek medical help for her?  Any replies would be helpfull.  Thanks and God Bless.
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Avatar universal
Wife has just started Cardizem.  Hoping this will help.  Went for a second opinion, and Dr. wanted to take her off of Metoprolol to try the Cardizem.  Anyone else had any experience with the Cardizem?
Helpful - 0
712042 tn?1254569209
Matt, keep us informed. Ed....you know I'm thrilled for you; it's not the best thing to have but when it can be managed to give good days, then we have to accept it. It does get discouraging to have the episodes return as they are unpredictable and you can never plan how long you'll have to be down or as my family says "she has to go to her quiet place". And doctors are getting better at accepting this diagnosis based on subjective signs even tho' they sure like to see technical evidence! Have a better day everyone. Joan.
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for your replies.  It definately gives me a little more comfort to see that people are getting relief through medication.  

Joan,
She is just starting treatment through meds, so hopefully she will see some relief soon.  

Thanks everyone and God Bless
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237039 tn?1264258057
I went to the ER last week with those types of spasms.  I thought I was having another heart attack.  The EKG showed a good rythym and the blood work showed normal cardiac enzymes, but the medical team knew something wasn't right with me.  They paid more attention to the data they were getting from the monitors and were able to see that these were spasms.  As for triggers, in my case, I have no idea.  They come on during the night and wake me from a dead sleep.  They come on when I am sitting watching TV or on the computer.  They come on if I stand and walk across the room.  The past 2 days have been much better for me, as they seem to have stopped for a time. Before then I was having as many as 1 attacks on some days.  The doctor ordered something different to take for this.  It's expensive, but I am anxious to see if it will work better than the drug I was taking.   (Norvasc) But it is almost unbearable to have these.  And I did suffer with svts a few years back.  I was put on Amiodorone 400 mg (I think it was)for this and they stopped. After reading up on the side effects of this drug and having to be monitored so closely I decided to stop taking Amiodorone.  I was on this drug for 9 months and it seems to have done the trick because it's been 2 years without it and I haven't been bothered with any more skipped beats.  I had these so bad I actually came close to passing out.  Those are no fun either.  Take care and keep us poted.  This forum has been my saving grace in many ways!

Ally
Helpful - 0
187666 tn?1331173345
I understand how frustrating it must be for you and your wife. I've had atrial arrhythmias for as long as I can remember (and I'm old). About 10 years ago a doctor told me an ablation could fix that. Hmm. OK. I ended up having 3 and I still have PAC's, PVC's and PSVT (atrial tachy). But they're much improved, don't last as long as before.

A few years ago I started having sudden chest pain. I would be rushing through the grocery store or carrying a bag of something and bam! a sudden pain that would grab me and stop me in my tracks. Had it checked and the doc said he didn't "think" it was cardiac related. Nice to have someone guess like that. Anyway I ended up on Diltiazem (a CCB) before I had surgery on a different body part about 2 years ago. Strangely enough, the chest pains dropped to almost nothing. Whatever is going on in there, I'm just thankful for my CCB that has eased the pain and slowed down the few atrial tachy times I was having.
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976897 tn?1379167602
I gave them a good run for their money today, went for a brisk walk to try them out. I was daydreaming about something but then suddenly realised I was half way up a steep hill and hadn't noticed any discomfort. It really is like a miracle to have this dreaded throat discomfort gone. I was short of breath still, but as the walk progressed I noticed this improved too. I'm just unfit now I think. I walked a mile away from home, then a mile back again up and down several hills I couldn't handle before. I felt about 3 twitches in my chest in total, but nothing to worry about. I think more exercise is going to improve things a lot more. So, it looks like my cardiologist was right after all, and you. Spasms can be triggered by exercise so I think this must give a difficult outlook for trying to diagnose stable/unstable angina. It looks like spasms associated with unstable angina can actually be classed as stable angina when you know what the trigger is. I guess the hard part can be finding that trigger.
Another difference I have noticed with ccb is my digestive system. When I used to eat anything I would get lots of discomfort, or simply fall asleep exhausted. Now my stomach sounds like a couldron, gurgling and churning and I feel much better.
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712042 tn?1254569209
What meds is she on and is there a connection between her arrhythmia and the spasms?I have no blockages but if I do not have nitro or a CCB on board then I will have a variety of arrythmias along with the spasms. I was in great shape and super active when all this started. Also, it helps to have a low dose of Elavil taken at bedtime to make the brain not react so badly to the pain. It is not helpful either to get anxious with this pain as it then further stresses the heart and it becomes cyclic.For 12 days to be having spasm not relieved by meds is a very long time.She needs a CCB first and other meds also. Let me know.
Ed34: I'm glad you're liking the CCB and as I've said before they may completely calm down, or you may experience them less often. Joan.
Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
Yes Joan sure knows her stuff about spasms and other things, shes brilliant.
I didn't really believe I had spasms, but I was started on Calcium channel blockers this morning. I am amazed at the effect. If someone told me that it would cure my throat discomfort and chest pains, I wouldn't have believed them having tried so many medications. My first pill of just 60mg made all the difference. It's still too good to believe. This is just my first day, so it's early yet, but it looks very encouraging.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the reply.  She was in the process of testing for her arrhythmia and was experiencing chest pains that were getting progressively worse.  After a couple trips to the ER and several more test (ecg, chest x-ray, blood work, and ultrasound ) her cardiologist diagnosed her with the spasms.  She has no blockage, but the spasms are severe and she experiences nausea.  My wife is in great shape and is a very active person.  It is just very scary and I am trying to get some perspective on the condition.  She has been having severe spasms for 12 days now.  
Helpful - 0
712042 tn?1254569209
I have had coronary artery spasms since 2005. They hurt. Spasms are also one of those types of problems that can be very hard to avoid a spasm, even with medication.They sometimes just occur. I have some triggers that I have come to recognize and your wife needs to start recognizing those events. The best medication is a Calcium Channel blocker. It helps with the contractibility of the heart and settles down the impact of the spasms. Nitro can also help if the spasms are severe and the quick sudden onset of pain does not go away within seconds.
Good news: I've had no heart muscle damage.
It is painful and the spasms can take your breath away and stop you in your tracks. I have gone long periods without a bad episode and then wonder what changed when I have a few a day. Being still, stopping what you're doing works.
Be sure to talk with the doctor about what to do when you feel more urgent, emergent care is required. I've never had an unscheduled doctor or ER visit for this problem as I know how to manage it and know when I need to get emergent care.
How was she diagnosed with spasms? This is also known as vasospastic angina. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Joan.
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