Hi there.
I think your doctor is referring to Sick Sinus Syndrome, but he may also be talking about SVT. I'm not too sure.
SVT can start very quickly and end very quickly, so it can go from 200bpm down to 60bpm within a beat or two.
Sick Sinus is when the Sinus node goes from high to low and alternates from one extreme to the other. It's also known as tachy-brady syndrome. (fast-slow syndrome)
I'm being investigated for Sick Sinus, but it may just be SVT.
My heart rate will sometimes go really rapid (around 200bpm) and then drop to really slow, hard beats. I've also had (i think) a few very brief episodes of A-fib...which supports the sick sinus idea. But I can't say for sure as I haven't caught this on a monitor.
The cure for SSS is normally a pacemaker for the slow beats, and drugs for the tachy. But sometimes EPs will perform a sinus node modification / ablation to control the tachycardia aspect.
I hope this helps : ]
Been taking metroprol for several months; 150 mg per day; still have episodes as often as twice daily for at least an hour at a time. Second ablation planned for about 3 months from now. Is it common to have episodes while taking this med. The episodes do not last as long now with this drug but are nevertheless quite scary.
Oh. Point of clarification. When I say suggest talking your doc about "this", I mean talk to your doctor or doctor's office about your symptoms (not mine). Perhaps they would want to adjust your dosage....
Hello. This sounds like a wild ride. I had SVT that would take my heart rate up there in the 200's someplace. This rate could last for 6 minutes sometimes. After ablation though the duration of fast arrythmia decreased to 10-15 beats. However, I was also put on metoprolol and found that my heart rate would drop quite low as a result of the drug. I must say that when the episodes of the arrythmia are bad, metoprolol provides a great deal of relief. In my case a very small amount suffices to eliminate symptoms, and does not seem to slow my heart rate as badly.
I suggest telling your doctor about this. Maybe they would want to adjust your dosage.
Man I am really sorry to hear this; I know what its like to have these sorts of symptoms, and it really is not a lot of fun. Hang in there though; medicine has really improved and there are answers out there for people like you.
regards, Bromley