Chances of SVT coming back? i have almost episodes?

I had a catheter ablation done for my svt more than 2 years ago and so far i havent had a episode. But some times i randomly get this feeling of svt comming up and my heart speeds up for like 1 second and then stops. As if it wants to start beating fast but then somethings blocking it. Like a mini epsiode. Only last 1 second, im just woudnering if this is a sign of my svt coming back or is this nothing to worry about. Thanks!

terry

[Jannie411]

I don't think this is any cause for concern, but it may ease your mind to discuss this symptom with your cardiologist or EP.

I'm two months post-ablation and have gotten the same symptoms.  They fizzled out after a few seconds and I'm fine afterwards.

I don't know what type of SVT you had, some types can be more complicated to ablate than others, but my EP told me the success rate for SVT RF ablation is 95%.

Hope this helps.

[tom_h]

I'm 7 months post-ablation and occasionally get a little jump.  the good thing is the accessory pathway cannot support conduction, and the SVT drops out after a couple of beats.Like many of us, it's very possible that the triggering mechanism still exists, but there's little or nothing there to support it.

[littlegreenman1]

What Tom said.

I've had that feeling of (and you all KNOW what we're talking about) "Oh boy, here we g-uh... nope."  But that was closer to the procedure.

I've seen some blips of "SVT" on my heart rate monitor that I wear when running, but have never felt ANYTHING - so I think they're just weirdness in the device.

All that being said: I wouldn't seek any treatment for "Uhhhh, nope." I've been released from cardiology and want to answer "No" to any questions on an insurance card, application for Airman's Certificate, etc... regarding "medical conditions."

Besides, I think, most people here are... how does one put this delicately??? "Hyper-acute to the rhythm of their heart."  I am included. But, I don't worry about it.

[littlegreenman1]

Ha! I just looked at the Airman Medical form... it asks "Have you ever in your life..."  Oh well. Will have to review that next time.

[terry947]

thanks a lot guys for the reply. You all put my mind at ease. Im also hyper-acute when it comes to the rhythm of my heart thats why i try to avoid weed as much as possible because it makes me more paranoid. Ill go to my doctor and get a referral for a cardiologist because my old one was at sick kids when i was 18. Once you're past 18, you're considered an adult here in The Canada lol. anyways thanks again!!

[rcslone]

I had my ablation done last December and haven't had an episode since, though like most everyone else, I every now and then get that feeling that an episode is trying to start up, but it never does. In fact, I had one early today, it lasted a few seconds. My heart didn't actually start beating fast, I just got that funny feeling like I used to before it would start, but nothing came of it.

I have to say that having the ablation was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My quality of life has greatly improved, I can do more strenuous activities without worrying about trigging an episode and I seem to have more energy.

[tom_h]

What he said ^^^^^

[svtgirl1011]

Hi everyone, I'm 37 years old -I had an ablation done on 7/25/2011-so far some skipped beats and just today I was driving and I felt like it was going to start up...that feeling you get where the whole world stops around you and all you can do is wait..... my heart sped up really fast then stopped...then I was just left with a really bad anxiety attack to deal with.

I just want this to be over...SVT has put my life on hold for the past 2 years. Been on and off meds ...trips to the ER....I thank you all for this blog reading all your comments makes me feel alot better.  

  

[merileegal]

The heart needs to learn to deal with the PAC that precedes the SVT. That is probably what you were feeling. I had my ablation done in June and what you describe is how I've felt. You can feel it coming and then the heart just seems to stop and then a few fast beats. My ep told my thoser were short runs of PACs, nothing to worry about. The PACs are still going to be there but the SVT should be gone forever I hope. I've had it happen at least a dozen times since June. At first it was really unnerving and I would get a little panicky too. Now when I feel it, I just pause a second, think it through and know it's just a PAC.

[ainsy]

Hi guys,

I've had palpatations, dizziness before but never to the extent which i did on thursday whilst playing football. After a couple of mins they died down and i went home thinking nothing of it. My heart was still racing and my girlfriend took me to the hospital and i was put straight onto an ECG with HR of 220. The doctor said he was going to refer me to a cardiologist for and ECHO scan as I have SVT. Now i'm extremely worried as i've been reading up about it and nobody seems to have a good story to tell.

All of you have had the ablation done a while ago, has it hampered your lives in any way?

[michellepetkus]

If you can find a good EP cardiologist with a good record the success rate for SVT correction is super high, up to 98% with a very low risk of complications around 1%.  It is also actually a very simple procedure for the patient with the anxiety before hand being more difficult to deal with than anything else.   Also, just so you can calm your nerves, if your heart is structurally normal and healthy then the svt is not anything of major concern.  It shouldn't have an undue harm on your heart though you will want to manage it and you may eventually want to get an ablation to avoid having any more episodes.  Most people who have them find their lives are improved by doing the ablation.  Especially if the svt was starting to disrupt their lives.  So good luck with the cardiologist but overall you do not have anything to worry about.  Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.

[Cheers]

So does every SVT episode start with a PAC? If this is true...and PACs continue after ablation...it would seem silly for me to have one I think. Most of what I have and what gives me anxiety and less quality of life is the PACs.

Didnt mean to hijack the thread...just found some of the comments interesting..

[michellepetkus]

I am not totally certain that is totally true.  It really is anything that disrupts the normal beat cycle of the heart and gives the heart a chance to fall into tachycardia.  Mine were probably mostly started by pvcs or maybe pacs but in the early days I never felt anything except a fast beat starting all of a sudden.  But to be honest I would think that theory would mostly apply to avnrt that needs the pause to allow the secondary pathway to complete the circuit but I would think the other wall tachycardias could be triggered other ways but I am not a doctor.  

[littlegreenman1]

follow up... I have not had,  in any time frame I can recall ANY indication of SVT.  So based on what I wrote 7 months ago: I'm **more** solid now.

Current question: No. The only way I think you can use the word "every" with SVT is: Every SVT is a little different. I never had PIC, PAC, ACT, PVC, IRS, AFIB, DOG, LOG, or FUBAR before any SVT. I do not have anxiety. Hell, I don't have SVT anymore.

I'm not sure if I'm the type docs love or hate, but I'm pretty up front with them that I want things explained to me in the the most specific language they can muster. Tell ME - the same way way you'd tell your colleague. If I don't understand... I can work a dictionary or Google or the local Med School library.

[Cheers]

LMAO - too funny.

I am the same way. I want to know actual names and terms and details. My current EP seems to avoid this like the plague. Its annoying.

[Kim_1970]

Thats why we are on this awesome blog.
I am not the kinda patient that takes a pill blind. I research everything.

When we are at the Dr, we have, what ...20 minutes to ask questions?

My last doctor gave me a booklet, and wrote me notes. I liked it.
Especially when I expressed my concern about new med. He wrote that anti-arrythmics taken by a young person (me) with a healthy heart (me) and in a low dose and he wrote in all caps WILL NOT HURT YOU.  In 20 minutes he really did get to know me. LOL
I am still scared to take them and I start tomorrow.  I feel like I am taking poison.  :(

[gman7969]

hi,
i was taken from my job by ambulance with a 220 heart rate also...
with my line of work i was told ablation was the only way i'd be able to return to my "safety sensitive" position...i had alot of anxiety about having the procedure but everything went over without a hitch....
the few months leading up to the surgery i was on metoprolol 10mg
to prevent an episode...if you're worried about the procedure and you don't need to have it like i did....my doctors told me i could be on the medication forever or have the ablation but without ablation my job wouldnt medically clear me...
so i would see if medication is an option in your case the only drawback is you're on it forever and your body could eventually adjust to the dose and they would have to up it...
best of luck and i hope this was helpful