a fib svt and other symptoms

[Anne 35]

I am a 35 year old female, and have been told I have several arrhythmias including afib and svt after wearing moniter for two months.  I am having an ablation on Friday. I cannot find a pattern to my episodes. I have blacked out completly once (suddenly). Other times I start feeling sick become very lighted headed, dizzy, and then become in a state of not being able to wake up in the middle of the day almost as if I had been sedated. This will last a few hours. Lost control of my bladder one time during. Some times my heart races, but sometimes my heart drops to 35-45 beats per minute.  I only noticed this last week when I had my blood pressure taken during an episode, and was told it was 83 over 54, and my pulse was 45.  I have since taken notice of the slow rate, but never made a recording of it while I was wearing the moniter, because I was only saving the racing , and did not realize it was droping below normal. It almost seems the sick feeling I am feeling an hour or so before my svt or my afib would hit was preceded by my heart rate slowing way down.  Is this possible? And do I need to make a point to tell my doctor before the ablation, or will this be picked in the ep study he will do during the procedure.  Also what does it mean when you have this many arrhythmias that seem to develop over night 4 months ago. Coronary Artery Diesease, enlarged heart, thyroid, all that has been ruled out.Is there something that can cause me to suddenly have pvc, sinus tach, svt, afib, Abnormally slow heart rate, inverted t waves,Blackout,dizzines ,etc. and will an ablation fix me?

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Anne,

Thanks for the post.  You gave us a bit of a brain dump, but I'll sort through some points ...

Arrhythmias often develop without warning -- just like cancer or infections.  It's not at all unusual for someone to be ticking along just fine, and then an illness develops.  Arrhythmias are certainly no exception.

Afib is a form of SVT, and some SVTs lead to secondary afib (WPW is a type of SVT that can do this).  Alternatively, you may really just have one SVT.  Portable monitors often do not provide enough information to definitively diagnose the type of SVT present, so for both afib and SVT to be called from the same monitor would not be unusual.  If the black out spells are coming from the SVT, then an ablation should help prevent them.

The slow heart rate could be from a number of things.  The most likely explanation is from the medicines you may be taking to control the SVT/afib.  Other possibilities include athletic conditioning, young age, heart conduction abnormalities, hypothyroidism, and others.  Aymptomatic slow heart rate rarely needs any treatment. So if you weren't having symptoms when you counted the slow heart rate, it likely is not a problem for you.

It certainly would be wise to mention the slow heart rate to the doctor performing the ablation.  He may just nod his head, or he may alter the EP study and ablation procedure.

Good luck.

[Dr. Erik]

Just let the Doctors do their thing. I hope the ablation cures your arrhythmias. They are getting better and better at it every day. Best of Luck!!!!

[Momto3]

I agree with Erik....The fabulous work done in this area by a very gifted set of cardiologists is truly amazaing.  I had an ablation last week, and so far, so good.  Best of luck to you!!

[Momto3]

Hi Allie!! I feel so badly that you have had such a rough time.  PVC's are enough to deal with absent the problems you encountered in the medical profession.  I have been very fortunate in the regard. My doctor is an extremely compassionate and remarkable physician.  Oh, it has been a ride...lol! You may remember, I began the antiarrythmics early this year, but didn't care for the associated side effects.  In July, we decided to give the ablation a try.  Well, I'm here to tell ya....so far, so good! YEAH!! The doctor has a lot of experience with ablations, and she was able to ablate a major foci in the RVOT. I'm not sure if I will end up back on some medicine, or possibly another ablation...I suppose, time will tell.  I knew going in that ablations for pvc's are not always successful, and in fact, sometimes require repeat visits. So, now I wait a few weeks...and see how they're doing.  Great to hear from you....I sure hope you are feeling better.  I've gotta tell ya, it's great to be RX-free!!