Ablation and SVT questions

[cpharr]

I seem to have alot of questions about SVT and having an ablation and I'm hoping some of you who have had the condition and procedure done could help me out(by the way,I have SVT and am scheduled for an ablation).First of all-is having SVT the same as having heart disease?If SVT is benign and only scary as apposed to being "dangerous" why do people get ablations?What kind of shape should you be in before surgery i.e what if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol?Will having the surgery lower your BPM-what should your beats be normally-is having SVT what makes mine high in the first place-Will it lower your blood pressure?Also-if after the surgery you still cant have caffeine or alcohol or stimulants and in most cases people have to stay on their meds or even have the procedure done several times-then why put your self through such a process with so many risks if  your quality of life isnt going to change?
  I know these questions seem crazy(I just had a baby 2 weeks ago-can I blame postpartum hormones?)However-I met a lot of other people with SVT on another sight for moms who are very negative about the procedure and its got me thinking-Now I'm starting to get scared about the procedure-I just had a C-section surgery 2 weeks ago and it was very scary for me-I dont know if I'm ready to get back on the operating table so quickly.

[debbier]

I had ablation 3 weeks ago for SVT and AFIB,  so far a success.  I was scared until they started the procedure.  It was pretty easy, mine only took 45 minutes.  My heart was very easily provoked into the arrythmias.    I would do it again in a minute.   When it was over I wondered what I worried so much about.  My recovery was easy no pain in the groin, no issues.   I was placed on a beta blocker for 6 weeks, but I am already weaned down to half a dose.    I am happy and glad I did it.  I felt great within 48 hours and was back to my normal activities of running after three little ones.  

[amym2002]

I've had it done twice so far, and after the last one I am thrilled.  There are a lot of positive outcomes, I didn't have one the first time, but the second one was phenomenal. The procedure *****, don't kid yourself about that.  Talk to your Dr about the process that he will use and your sedation, just so you will know ahead of time, no one can tell you exactly what it will be except him.  My breathing has improved tremendously, and I haven't passed out since.  After teh first one I swore I would never do it again, but I'm really glad that I did...after the second one I swore that I would never do it again, but in all honesty, if my Dr told me I needed to have it done every year for the rest of my life, I would do it.
The process is scary, and it's not comfy, and some of it can be painful...learn how to relax (easier said than done) and don't freak out and you will get through it.  My first one was almost 5 hours and my second one was 9 hours.
Good luck!

[litleman]

you seem to be the only one happy post ablation , I am going in soon and I am split in two should I shouldnt I ?Plus i am a nurse but my nerves are shot from SVT and Im down about it.How the hell I am going to get to the hospital i do not know.They say its 95% success rate with my consultant in the UK.
I trust him totally but some things are just fate, all I know is I would not wish this condition on my worst enemy,
Plus ive heard you can be on the table for hours, how sedated are you?Then they are inducing the rythmn off and on what a nightmare.Please help fiona

[mabebesc]

Hi,
I also had AVNRT . I'd be happy to answer any questions for you that I can.  I know it's scary facing an ablation but looking back, it was the best thing I could have done for myself.
Betty

[sister mtt]

HI, I have had this for about 12 yrs now and about 7 so bad they have had to stop my heart 4 times. That is why I op to have it done in the first place. The more times you have your heart stoped the weaker {it can }make your heart . So I had it done , Dont get me wrong it did help. I havnt had to have it stoped yet any more and I can breath better. MY lips and nailes dont look blue any more either. I was 52 when I had it done. I am the exception to all the rules though in life. Its not only my heart, in all things med. and other wise. I was born with a small prob in my heart and then on Nov.7of 97, this nurse give me moriphen, me telling her I couldnt take these drugs and I went in to shock and it sent me over the edge and guess what , it messed my whole life up! I am alive and I was pretty healthy except for the SVT and AF  bouts! I have been on meds ever sense for it. I still wake up at night with the old ticker going well over a hundred. The first time I had it stoped it was 253
and the BP was 203/197. I lived to tell about it . In 2005 I had the ablation done. With in a yr I had it stoped three times. See why I had to have something done. Your young and sound pretty healthy seems like.
Only you can make the right move for you! I did much digging on the net for a yr before I let them touch me. I talk to others and did what your doing, ask ????????????????????? dont be afraid to ask ?????????!!!
I dont know if you pray, but that I do blieve got me through it all. I will never  think other wise!!!! I still havnt had the secound one done yet. I keep uping my meds and I seem to be ok, so far so good! I still bliveve these prayer are working !!!!! Dont count sheep talk to the  father of  the Shepherd ! I hpoe all has gone well with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will keep you in my prayers too!

                                                   sister mtt

[ireneo]

Questions: having SVT is not the same as having heart disease. Some people with heart disease may have arrhythmias but a person with arrhythmias does not necessarily have heart disease.

In a structurally normal heart SVT is considered benign. Why get an ablation then? That's the same question I asked my cardio; he got grumpy and said he wouldn't live like that (having SVT almost every day). I guess it gets down to how much it interferes with a person's life. It can be quite unsettling and uncomfortable.

I don't think cholesterol will play into the ablation procedure. High BP - if it's dangerously high, they may want to bring it down with meds before doing the ablation just because any surgery or procedure has its risks.

A successful ablation will bring your heart rate back into the normal range instead of jumping over 120 all the time. As for BP, mine did drop for a couple months then went back to my normal. Again, if you generally have high BP, the doctor will address that separately.

If the ablation is successful, you won't have to worry about "triggers" like caffeine, stress, exercise any more. If it's not totally successful, the doctor may recommend a second ablation or have you manage it with medication. It depends on how severe the episodes.

I completely understand your concerns. I remember thinking all the same things. It's a creepy thought to have an ablation and yet if it stops that cycle of tachycardia, it's worth it.

[mattpp]

hi betty, what svt did you have? i've avnrt and having ablation soon. worried about it making my symptoms worse although i'm sure it'll be fine. would be good to hear more from your success story!
matt

[sister mtt]

Hi, I am just the flip side of her, I have had it done and I am still on alot of meds. My Dr would like to do it again and I dont want to do again! I am on 75 mgs of metoprolol twice aday now. My pb stays up and I am still passing out at times. The good things about it is , I can breath better now and I can walk faster now too. I would say it did help me some , and I have not had to have my heart stoped yet sence I had it done! So it wasnt a total wast! I am just one of the ones that need it done again! My Dr says he knows where to go this time and where it is. First they must make a map of the sorce and then they can work on it! They make your heart do the thing it dose and then they zap it!
They know what they are doing yes! They must know what they are doing or they dont get to do it. The big guys do these, I know that to be a fact! They know this and alot more, before they get this far, if that helps you any! I hope things go well for you.Its like any thing els, if you get tired you will have it done and I am sure I will have it done again too! It just a matter of doing ! I hope this helps you some?


                                                                    mtt

[mabebesc]

Hi,
I had an ablation done on Aug. 4th after having dealt with SVT since the age of 16. I am now 53 years old.  I put off having an ablation for all the reasons you mentioned.
For me, I couldn't stand living in fear anymore.  I never knew when the SVT would kick in -I was avoiding going on vacations ,etc.
I am so happy I found the courage to have the ablation done.  I have been SVT free for 3 months now and it is truly wonderful.
I wish I had had the ablation done years ago.  I wasted a lot of years dealing with SVT . It's not that I was having any symptoms when the SVT occurred that made me have the ablation. I was just tired of worrying about it all the time.
I'd be happy to answer any questions  and help you through this in any way that I can. For what it's worth,it was the best thing I could have done for myself and I am so grateful I no longer worry when the SVT will start.
Betty