Avnrt - Heart ablation - Flutters and missed beats

Hello I was wondering if anyone could help and give me some answers.

I am a 20 year old girl and have recently had an ablation surgery just over a month ago now for a type of SVT called AVNRT. The symptoms started when I was 9 but I had more frequent episodes when I got to 16. I was only ddiagnosed a little while ago even though I have kept presenting myself to a cardiologist from the age of 16. I also suffer from a kidney condition called hydronephrosis and had an operation called a pyleoplasty in January. I noticed my heart would race sometimes over 200 bpm for reasons such as excitement, tiredness, hunger or sudden movements and sometimes when just lying on the sofa. However a month before my ablation and EP study I noticed my ears would ring my hands and feet would go very could and then I would feel dizzy these were usually the symptoms which would cause my heart to stop for a few seconds. I can only describe it as as if it had froze and I was very aware that my heart had stopped beating. However after the ablation the symptoms have included missed beats which I know is expected but I am wondering if it is not due to the ablation as I had these symptoms before. I am becoming quite anxious because obviously I think I am on the road to recovery and then I will go dizzy and feel my heart stop.

Just wondering does anyone know what this might be the missed beats can sometimes, not always be a quite sharop and short painfull bang which will make me flinch.

Anybody had similar symptoms and can advise for what I should do next.

As the cardiologist thinks the ringing and dizziness is nothing to do with my heart???

[boognell]

The dizziness and ringing could be attributable to the missed heartbeats; maybe your doctor should suggest a mental health professional so you can express these things aloud and get some personal feedback. Also maybe a low dose anti-anxiety med like Ativan?

[tom_h]

First off, with all ablations, there is a recovery period.  This can extend a year or more.  I'm coming up on 11 months for my AVRT, and I still get little runs and skips.  < 2 months post ablation is much too soon to judge whether your procedure was a success or not.

You describe two sensations, "missed beats" and "heart to stop for a few seconds".  The former sensation could be PVC's which could have been present long before your ablation, and which are often the trigger mechanism for SVT.  Since your ablation, they can no longer initiate the SVT.  Most PVC's are harmless, but are certainly a pian to deal with.  I get them in clusters which last for two weeks or more, then are gone for months at a time.  Your latter sensation could be a Sinus Pause.  There is plenty of web information available on this condition, it symptoms, and treatment.  Sinus Pause can be a very serious condition.  You'll notice that there's no "MD" after my screen name. So obviously my response to you is pure speculation.

As far as the ringing sensation in your ears, there could be many reasons.  I had this condition while I was suffering from severe sleep apnea.  The ringing sensation occured from outside noise as opposed to actual tinnitus.  Listening to music was nearly impossible during that extended period.  At the time, I was also taking a large dose of beta blocker as well.  Once the sleep apnea was corrected and the dosage of BB adjusted, the ringing sensation disappeared.  I have no idea if either caused it.  But it was coincidence that it vanished shortly afterwards.

Anxiety feeds on itself and breeds more anxiety.  This in turn can cause arrhythmias.  If you trust your cardiologist, have faith in what he's telling you.  This can go a long way in quelling your anxiety.  If he's not aware of your pauses, you should definitely let him know of this fact.  That is one symptom that I've never heard of from post ablation patients.

[littlegreenman1]

Yeah - what Tom said.

I was about 60-90 days when I would feel flutters and the feeling of like an SVT would be coming on and ..... "Uhhhhhh, here we gooooooo again..nope."

Lots of people who post here (especially first/few timers) are a little more "nervous" than is practical for good health.

[Tine1977]

understand totally about trusting your doctor. I thought I had a great doctor who put in a permanent pacemaker and then did an ablation because of slow heart rate and fainting episodes and called it A-Flutter. A year later and 2 other opinions I found a doctor I truly DO trust and come to find out that I did not need the pacemaker implanted at all.  
Its hard not to be anxious and to totally trust your doctors. I get anxious going to any doctor, especially a cardiologist cause ... well lets be honest ... it IS my heart they are going to be messing with and I fell very cynical of all doctors for a long time.
I agree bout giving the ablation time to work.  I have had 2 and even tho I am scheduled for my 3rd, (3 times the charm?) I know of people who had only one and have sworn that its made a HUGE difference, but just with anything thats worth anything, it's never easy and doesn't always happen instantly. Good luck boognell.

[merileegal]

I also had ablation for avert 4months ago. So far no svt . I have some of the same symptoms u described. My ep said they were pacs and not to worry. The first one I had after my ablation felt like my heart stopped and I felt a little faint. They have become less and less. It would be a good idea to check with your ep . Tom is right about the time it takes for the heart to heal. It. depends on how much they did to your heart. Mine was pretty simple with only one burn just be patient and baby that heart for awhile.

[michellepetkus]

I had my ablation of avnrt a month ago as well.  I have the same flutter missed beat feeling as you and I have had a couple of episodes that felt as though my heart hard some really strong beats.  I can't say that it stopped but it was a strong enough feeling to make me notice it.  If you truly feel as though your heart is stopping I would consult your EP just to be sure.  If it is just pvcs then no worries but if it is concerning you should definitely contact your doc.  

That being said, everyone else who had an ablation longer than a couple of months, do the flutters and missed beats go away?  I wasn't sure if this is a symptom we would have to live with.  Or is it that once you start having pvcs you don't get rid of them?

[littlegreenman1]

They will go away.

[michellepetkus]

Thanks,  I wasn't sure if my svt was more active because of developing the flutter issue or if the flutter issue arose because of the svt's effects on the heart.  Kind of like the chicken/egg riddle.

[nadia200]

Thanks everyone! Is very reasurring to know that others are having the same thing. I think it is just because it took such a long time for them to diagnose and I am still having symptoms with my heart that I know isn't completly normal it is scary!!
If I went back to my cardiologist and explained my symptoms would it be possible to hook me up to another ECG for a week and would the ECG be able to pick up on whatever these bangs and missed beats are??

[tom_h]

A "long term monitor" can be worn that will pick up cardiac anomolies either by auto-recording, or recording by user initiation.  If you're post ablation, I imagine you're familiar with this device, as most ablation patients have worn them prior to the procedure.

[merileegal]

It is certainly possible. Discuss it with your doc.

[nadia200]

Thank you everyone. I have been put onto a 7 day monitor ecg and am just awaiting my appointment to see the cardiologist and whilst i had the monitor on my heart had a crazy episode which went to at least 180 beats. Felt awfull and I know what my cardiologust will say is that they will have to repeat the ablation which I am gutted that the first ablation didnt work. But I have been having some other symptoms recently which I was wondering has anyone else had any similar experiences. SInce the ablation when doing mild exerciise such as walking around the undergrounf or climbing the stairs at work instead of taking the lift my heart will go to sinus tachy around 130 bpm and I will become very breathless which will last around 15 mins to calm. Last night I also had a very strange sensation in my heart which I have never experienced before. I was lying down watching a film and over a period of 5 mins I felt my heart do a series of about 4 different sequences of beats each lasting about 1 min each. When the beat would then change to another beat I would feel my heart drop and I would either get really hot or feel sick as if I was on a rollercoaster.... has anybody had this???

[michellepetkus]

I have not had an svt episodes since my ablation in September but I have had some of the symptoms you mention.  I can't say for certain what you are feeling but I know I have pvcs and pacs and when they start to flare up I will get sinus tachycardia and that 130bpm upon exersion like walking up the stairs.  I have also felt that hot flush feeling and the heart drops.  I know when my pvcs are flaring my heart beat becomes erratic as well alternating speeds from fast to slow.  I cannot be certain this is happening to you but I equate it to my heart still needing some time to heal.  I had boarderline hyperthyroidism so my GP is actually checking that now.  It could be one of the reasons for the flushing and fast beat but I personally just think our hearts need some time to recover from all the svt they have been exposed to.  I believe it can take up to 6 months for the heart to start to fully recover.  Unfotunately it sounds like you may still have svt which will likely delay your recovery but hopefully they can get that corrected and you too will be free of all this one day.  Take care and hang in there.

[Kim_1970]

I am new here and newly diagnosed w SVT. Had it for 3 hrs thinking they were panic attacks. NOT!
I am on Metaprolol 50mg am/&pm.
It seems to keep my runaway train from running away as my episodes are big and last 2-3 hrs and make me almost black out.
Soooo after being on med after they increased my dose I got the ringing in my ears! I asked pharmacist and he said it is a side effect of beta blockers.
Something about blood flow? Said it may go away after my body gets used to it. Just like Tom on above post.  
Are u on anything like a beta blocker?
Also I totally relate to the heart sinking feeling like the roller coaster feeling and it takes a moments breath away and like a little surge of adrenaline or something happenens.  Then I say oh-----here we go , is this going to be a big one?  But since on the Metaprolol it has stopped at that.
I am meeting with 2nd EP dr after first of year to talk about ablation.
It's so weird having a goofy heart. Although my Aunt has lived with this her whole like and is 81!  I just feel like she is stronger than I am.
Wishing you patience and acceptance as you heal and learn about your body. Kim

[nadia200]

it is horrible!! I didnt want to go on beta blockers just because I dont ewant to have to keep taking medication and incase it got worse if I did come off. I thought the ablationwould be the cure but obviously not. The ear ringing I have heard could be due to blood pressure when having episodes or blips. So maybe go and get that checked out. Has you consultant mentioned ablation??? I am so happy i am not the only one bvecause when its happening i feel like i am. None of my family have any problems with their heart or my friends. The breathlessness is definitly something to do as a result of the ablation becuase I never had it before!!!! I want my body to be normal :(

[nadia200]

Any one else had any similar experience out there??

New update: Need to have a second EP study and ablation - Am even more scared and anxious this time as I have been through it. Before I was naive to it all. They have put me on a mild dose of propanalol to keep my nerve sat bay, but the ecg holter monitor saw that I had an episode of SVT up to 158 which is considerably slower than before as I have it up to 220 but it is still considered SVT... not happy :(. It also picked up that I am still sinus tachy. I have asked if i could be put under general anasetic this time as I am so scared which they have agreed to, but it  can mask my heart problems. My mum wants me to be sedated as they can see the problem clearer in the EP but it isnt my mum who has had it done and knows what to expect. I dont know whether to brave it as it will be more accurate or face the risks and have anaestic that can hide it..... Any advice???

[tom_h]

.....find a new EP?

Seriously, I'm hearing more and more patients being sedated for the procedure.  My EP told me flatly that unless there's a good reason to keep you awake, he sedates his patients.  It allows him to totally concentrate on the job at hand without worrying about the patient's comfort.  He can take his time anf not rush.  I was fully sedated for mine, and only remember getting up on the cath lab table.  That's about it.

[nadia200]

My last procedure i was sedated felt sleepy but was still veryanxious even crying. So you were actually put under then??

[tom_h]

Yes, I was fully sedated and thry told me partially intubated to counter my severe sleep apnea.  The anestheologist used Propofol, (in my opinion) a wonderful drug that drops you into a peaceful sleep, but from which you awake refreshed and fully alert in a matter of several minutes.  Loved it.  In fact, I just had it again last week for a colonoscopy.  Same stuff that Michael Jackson used (abused).  

If your anxiety is such that it brings you to tears, you should seek out an EP that will do it underanesthesia.  If your AVNRT get easily fired up, I would think sedation would be a viable option.

By the way, your profile lists you as a male.  But I suspect that you're not.

[nadia200]

thank you! ha woops no female I am sure