SVT

[jan]

I am a 36 year old female, with no medical problems.  Last night
I experienced a feeling of pounding rapid heartbeat and shortness
of breath.  I was taken to the ER and I had a heart rate of 205
with very low bp.  They were going to give me inderol but couldn't get a vein and after about 30 minutes my heart slowed
down on its own.  It was still pretty fast 100-110 when they
discharged me.  Said I had SVT.  I have not ever experienced
this before.  I am not on any medications.  They said maybe
I was dehydrated but all blood tests and EKG were normal.
I also have heartburn at night if I eat too late.  I don't
smoke or drink and have very little caffeine, I don't drink
coffee.  I have gained about 20 pounds over the last year
and exercise makes me really tired.  Do I need to see a
cardiologist?  Can the heartburn or weight be causing this?
thank you

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Thank you for your question. There are many causes of tachycardia  (fast heart beat) and they can be divided roughly into sinus (originating from the sinus node or heart's natural pacemaker) and non-sinus tachycardias.  

Nonsinus tachycardias are either  supraventricular (coming from the upper chambers of the heart) or ventricular (coming from the lower chambers of the heart).  Supraventricular tachycardias are also know as SVT's (supraventricular tachycardia) and include:  paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and AV nodal tachycardia.

The treatment of SVT depends on what type of SVT it is.  PSVT is often treated with a catheter ablation but may be treated medically as well.  Atrial flutter is almost always treated with ablation now days.  Atrial fibrillation is usually treated with medications but may sometimes be treated with certain surgical and interventional methods.  AV nodal tachycardia can also be treated with ablation.  It may not be possible to tell which type of SVT on has from surface ECG recordings and if that is the case a special type of study called an electrophysiology study is performed.

Weight gain and heartburn do not generally cause SVT.  I would start with your internist and if he/she is unable to find a source a cardiology consult may be in order.

[Michele M]

I'm a 28 year old female and have been diagnosed with SVT and PVC's.  The SVT episodes started in October of 1991...at this time I experienced dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, pain in left arm and eventually numbness on the left side of the body. My heart rate was at 280 bpm. I was given a shot of adenicard to bring down my heart rate and later that week I had two EP Studies done.  At this point I was put on 240 mg of Calan.  This seemed to control my condition for a couple of years and I was then weaned off medication due to side effect issues.  Approximately 3 years ago (1996) I began experiencing another form of an irregular heart beat (slow, hard heartbeat) which turned out to be PVC.  For the past 6 months I have been having problems with both SVT and PVC (I was put back on Calan)...I was hospitalized again on Friday for SVT (heart rate was 260 for approx 60 minutes) They gave me a shot of Adenicard to bring it down to 110. It's now Tuesday and I still feel like I could loose consciousness at any minute. I have sharp head pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc... I felt this way even before I started taking my new medication. My doctor now has me on Cartizen CD 180 mg.  I wanted to find a good hospital and Doctor specializing in SVT, EP Studies and ablations and find out success rate. Thank you.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I would look into the local university hospital.  Or if you would like to come here I would recommend Dr. Mina Chung.

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