SVT and Hormones???

Hi,

I'm so thankful for this forum as I've read many posts where people have had similar experiences as me and it helps me from going crazy with worry! I'm 29 and recently (4 weeks ago today) had a baby. Within this 4 week time period I've had 3 SVT episodes and had to call the medics each time. The first time my heart rate was 230, second time 215, and third time 164 (I believe because I had been taking a beta blocker, metropol, perscribed by my doc). Still each time I felt like I was going to pass out and couldn't convert myself. I tried baring down and rubbing my neck artery..but neither worked to slow my heart. All three times I had to be converted by adenisine via IV from the medics. It's so scary because I'm home alone with my baby and don't want to pass out. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to see a special cardiologist. My regular doc said I'm probably gonig to need an ablation.

I saw on a few postings that Hormones play a big part in SVT...since I just had a baby my hormones are obviously crazy so I'm wondering if this will go away when eventually. I have felt my heart "skip beats" in the past but never anything like the SVT's until the pregnancy. I'm the primary bread winner in my family and don't know how i'm going to go back to work knowing this can happen at any time. I'm so scared all the time. I just want this to go away. I don't see how some of the people on here have dealt with this for years. I am also scared to exercise or do anythign strenuous, as I'm scared it will trigger an attack. It's weird too because all of my attacks have happened between 11-1pm during the day after I have got up or sat down on my couch. It's so weird.

could someone tell me what PVC stands for? I've seen in on alot of posts but don't understand the difference between PVC and SVT.

[ireneo]

PVC is a premature ventricular contraction. In other words the electrical signal in the heart comes a little too early and causes the ventricles to contract a microsecond too soon. Often there's a pause while the heart resets itself and starts to beat normally again. Folks don't like that pause feeling.

SVT is supraventricular tachycardia. The upper chambers of the heart beat too fast. I've had that all my life, still have it but it rarely lasts more than a minute, rate runs 150-198 bpm. That's a great improvement for me. But I wouldn't feel this good if it wasn't for ablations.

You can't predict your future and if your cardio recommends an ablation for you, especially since your rate is so high and you're so symptomatic, do seriously consider it. Imagine how nice it would be to never worry about SVT again.

[OnTheRox]

Thanks for the response. I guess I've had PVC's too, pretty much for as long as I can remember now that I think about it. I guess you don't know something's not normal if you've always dealt with it. I'm definately looking forward to the ablation. After reading alot of these posts I have hope that it also might cure my anxiety disorder.

[ireneo]

Well, if the SVT is brought under control it will certainly be one less thing to trigger an anxiety attack. Wouldn't that be nice?