Fast heart rate

[Sara82]

I'm 25 years old due to have my second child on May 1, 2008. A planned c-section.  Before this pregnancy I was diagnosed with SVT.  I feel as though it has gotten worse with the pregnancy.  My heart rate is most always in the100 bpm.  I feel as though my heart is racing most of the time.  I also experience heart palpatations about once or twice a day lasting only a few seconds.  On occasion I have chest pain that comes and goes.  My cardiologist says the pain is from the fast heart rate.  My OB doctor does not want me to go into labor because of my heart.  My question is, is it safe for me to have an epideral?  Will it raise my heart rate?  I'm really nervous even though I have been through this before with my first child.  But I didn't have this heart problem then.  My husband is a perimedic and says not to worry.  I just need some other input.

Thanks for you time.  

[vaiox1]

I'm in pharmacy school so this is not medical advice, however from what I've learned so far about epidurals is that they contain a lot of analgesics that demonstrate a lot of CNS depression and bradycardia (slow heart rate) as side effects, and not tachycardia.  However, cardiotoxicity is a main concern with the drug cocktail epidural, so the best advice would be to ask your OB.  

[medtrans916]

i had svt during all three of my pregnancies and had an epidural with the second in which i did excellant no prob with my daughter either. i did however experience more svt during her pregnancy and did wonderful with the epidural. no probs at all during the insertion of the epidural or delivery and my daughter is a healthy 8 yr old. good luck!!