SVT....How long is to long

[aussie mum]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply to my question !!

Here is a brief history....

I'm 36 overweight (trying now to lose the weight) non smoker/drinker. I started having Palps/svt after the birth of my third child who is now 20 months. I did also have PPCM which did not require meds and returned to normal within 6/8 months. I also have mild LV dilation.

In the 20 months since my third child's birth i have been in svt maybe 10 times lasting from 5 mins to 1 1/2 hour (just a few days ago) I have come to except (she said with a half baked smile !!) that i may have to live with palps for the rest of my life but these svt really get me scared.

So may be your answers can help to ease my nerves....

I) How long should or can i leave it (if not able to convert myself) before going to the ER.

2) How many times can someone have svt per day/week before it caused problems.

3) Is it wise to know which form of palps/svt i have e.g. pacs/pvc & psvt/nsvt or are they the same things.

4) I've just been told i have gallstones and need to have my gallbladder out could this be somehow linked to what's going on with my heart.

5) I read a lot on this forum about the vagus nerve. What is your take on it and it's place with the heart. Could it cause svt.

Sorry there are so many question but hopefully they may help relieve the throbbing in my head (from trying to figure out WHY this is happening to me !!)

Thank you !!

[aussie mum]

WOW there must be a few of us out there.... Thanks for you message.... Hopefully you receive mine to you :}

BTW i find it hard to understand when cardiologist say "svt isn't related to anything else"

So why did it start in the first place ??

chat soon

[anacyde]

Your story and mine are almost identical, even the timeframe...my son is 20 months old.  I sent you a private message, I hope you receive it :)  I'd like to talk more with you.

My cardiologist tells me my SVT isn't related to anything else, but I have my doubts of course.  I find it interesting though that the doctor here mentioned some women just develop SVT after pregnancy...I'd like to know more.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Only certain types of SVT are associated with strokes and heart failure, they are called atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.  A simple EKG during the SVT would allow your doctor to tell whether or not you have it.  If you do have it, given the history of PPCM, one would consider starting blood thinners to prevent stroke complications.  Unfortunately, the blood thinner has a bad effect on a growing fetus, therefore, we do not recommend it during pregnancy.  Because those SVT tend to last longer they may cause heart failure.  We recommend controlling the heart rate with medicaitons.  Unfortunately, those medications are also bad for a growing fetus.  It's a bit of a catch22 situation for you because you are in a reproductive age.  Like I said earlier, you are at risk for redeveloping PPCM if you get pregnant again.  If you have the milder forms of SVT (probably more likely in you given your age) they are benign and don't cause these complications.  

Ventricular origin, means coming from the ventricle, therefore, not an SVT.  This type of arrhythmia starts in the pumping chamber part of the heart and is typically more severe than a simple SVT.  It's unlikely that you have it, but that should be rulled out by examing the EKG from when you were in the arrhythmia.  

[Cleveland Clinic]

Only certain types of SVT are associated with strokes and heart failure, they are called atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.  A simple EKG during the SVT would allow your doctor to tell whether or not you have it.  If you do have it, given the history of PPCM, one would consider starting blood thinners to prevent stroke complications.  Unfortunately, the blood thinner has a bad effect on a growing fetus, therefore, we do not recommend it during pregnancy.  Because those SVT tend to last longer they may cause heart failure.  We recommend controlling the heart rate with medicaitons.  Unfortunately, those medications are also bad for a growing fetus.  It's a bit of a catch22 situation for you because you are in a reproductive age.  Like I said earlier, you are at risk for redeveloping PPCM if you get pregnant again.  If you have the milder forms of SVT (probably more likely in you given your age) they are benign and don't cause these complications.  

Ventricular origin, means coming from the ventricle, therefore, not an SVT.  This type of arrhythmia starts in the pumping chamber part of the heart and is typically more severe than a simple SVT.  It's unlikely that you have it, but that should be rulled out by examing the EKG from when you were in the arrhythmia.  

[aussie mum]

Thanks for your reply however i just wish for you to explain what you meant by "STROKE & HEART FAILURE" is this possible while I'm in svt ??

Also if possible  what you meant by "ventricular origin"

And no i do not take any meds as my cardio though i would be better off trying to live without them.

Just as a foot note i did fall pregnant 4 months ago but sadly miscarried at 8 wks. My cardio thinks this is why i have mild LV dilation which he feels will return to normal. I'm having a follow up echo in a couple of weeks to see how it's going.

Your reply would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Cleveland Clinic]

1.  If your symptoms persist for longer than a couple of hours or if you develop chest pain, severe shortness of breath or lightheadedness.  always make sure that someone else (not you) drives you to the ER.
2.  Depends on the SVT and how fast it is going.  If you are having as frequently as once per week I would say, that at least, to control your symptoms and you anxiety, an electrophysiologist (heart rhythm doctor) should look at it and decide whether it should be delt with with medicaitons or even an ablation procedure.  Do you take any medications to control these arrhythmias?
3.  It is worth knowning which one it is and how fast it's going.
4.  Unlikely.  I thing your arrhythmias may be related to either the history of PPCM, or being post-partum.  Some women develop SVT after their pregnancies.
5.  It has been linked to some SVT's.  Let me just tell you that your conditions is most likely a benign form of SVT.  It would most likely respond to a medication that controls the heart rate.  given that you have a history of PPCM, I would want to make sure that this is not atrial fibrillation or flutter, which are less benign form, in that they can cause strokes and heart failure.  Also ventricular origin of the palpitations should be ruled out as well because of your history.  All this can be done by your heart doctor with a simple monitor that you might have to wear for a few days.  You will be fine.  Try not to get pregrnant again because your risk of recurrent PPCM is still there.