ep study

[KarenC]

I have the option of having an ep study & have had 2 previously so I know they are not comfortable or have a reveal device implanted. I had the 2 tests approx 5 yrs ago & showed something about av nodal echos & was told everything looked ok.
That was done for an extremely fast heart racing episode. However a few weeks ago, my heart suddenly began to beat very irregular & felt horrible. I've also been awakened from being sound sleep where my heart feels as though it has stopped. This gets me right up in bed & I cannot feel it beating at first, then it has difficult beating properly before it beats right again. I'm afraid to have another ep study & not certain what to do. Has anyone had more than 2 of these tests & has anyone had the reveal device. I want to be sure whatever is going on with my heart is not life threatening. The last episode felt horrible I appreciate your input & info. Thanks & take care.

[katy174]

Hi Karen,

I have to have an ep study on December 22. I am so nervous and scared to have this done. Can you explain it to me please? Will it hurt. I am panicking.

katy174

[KarenC]

Thanks for your replies. I was sedated but not under general anesthia. I was aware of everything going on including when they were pacing my heart very fast. My blood pressure shot up & the test was stopped. This will make ep test #3 for me; the last one was done approximately back in 2003. I am so fearful of undergoing another, yet I want to know what caused my heart to be so irregular. One doctor will do an ep test because I inquired about it. The others I've seen won't do one & just want me to wear either a monitor or have the reveal implanted.
Take care

[StephPT]

I have had a total of 4 EP studies over the course of 1 year, with 3 attempted ablations.  the procedure always carries some risks, but what i was told by several different physicians was that 2 months needed to pass before the next test to give the groin areas time to heal.

my arrhythmia was finally "fixed" in the last ablation, and i have been SVT free for 6 months.  i know what you mean by the test being uncomfortable, but i suspect you were sedated for yours.  because of the nature of my arrhythmia (swallowing-induced) i was AWAKE for my last two procedures.  i have never been so uncomfortable, as they lasted 9 hours each!

i would say, if the arrhythmia is bothering you (which it sounds like it is) and your doctor feels that the EP study will help to diagnose and possibly fix the problem with an ablation, go for it.

good luck!
steph

[PikaPika88]

Hi Karen,

Has your cardio reviewed your heart events yet (from the reveal device implanted)?  It should tell your "Pause" at the night.  I was always waking in the middle of the night waiting for my heart beats turn up.  My head (feel only) was blowing up like a balloon.  Chest tightness as well.  Do you feel that too?  But mine one is not life threatening because I already have a pacemaker.  My pacemaker also has a build in holter monitor.  Just don't know why it was so slacked and sometime just on strick.  

I only had one EP study.  It was done in 1982.  What's your Dr diagnosed with your EP study?  

Take care

Pika