Most doctors misdiagnose SVT and other tachycardia issues

[chrisfox]

I used to get docs saying it was anxiety or I worry too much or I don't sleep right.  It wasn't until I had lots of tests done that finally a doc who would pay enough attention diagnosed it correctly as SVT which has now been correlated by other docs.  So don't give up if you get fobbed off.  

Anyway, here's some of my learnings:

I have suffered with it since birth and I am finally on top of the tachycardias in my 40s.  You need to to abstain from any foods/drugs which interfere with your electro-nervous system.  Here's some tips from what I've learned over the years:
- minimize caffeine
- no alcohol whatsover; completely abstain,  It's the worst.
- sleep well
- lower stress
- fight inflammation; get on an anti-inflammatory diet
- minimize sugar intake
- do some kind of aerobic exercise to over compensate for your prob; get super fit & you'll be on top of it
- avoid strong herbs which have a strong effect on the body, especilly those which act on the metabolism, including:
- St Johns Wort
- Echinacia
- Gotu Kola
- Avenia sativa
- etc
- learn all the maneuvers to fight the tachycarias including val salva (sp?), rubbing the cartaroid atery, coughing (my fav), splashing cold water on your face
- avoid dark chocolate
- avoid nuts such as peanuts, cashews, etc. they are good triggers
- never take cold meds with things like ephedrine in them

You'll develop a list of trigger foods, remedies and lifestyle changes over time.  Write them down and stick to them.  It will be hard at first but it's just a matter fo time.  Once it becomes a habit it will be easy.
Hope this helps.

[sick and tired 47]

Yes, we should do a poll on how many people were told "its just anxiety, a panic attack or its all in your head".  I was told that too, put on antidepressants which did NOT help me. Finally after 3 years found a wonderful compassionate dr who referred me to EP cardiologist ( had a cardiac workup with a regular cardio who found nothing). The EP cardio did event monitoring which FINALLY showed the SVT... and hooray- it was NOT in my head! Yes, I had anxiety, but after 3 years of no one listening... I was a bit anxious at times!!
CONGRATULATIONS to all who have been diagnosed after a long struggle. And good luck to the rest... hopefully you will get there too!!
God bless you all!

[mmmxiii]

I've been told that what's going on with me is "just anxiety" for five years now, and my cardiologist pretty much figured out that's not the case on Thursday. I definitely have anxiety issues now, and anxiety certainly aggravates whatever is going on with me, but I wish someone had caught it earlier. I'm quite scarred now and if an ablation will fix/help my issues, I welcome it.

[kozlosap]

I would bet that most people on this forum were told in the beginning that they have "anxiety" and "panic" issues before the received their true diagnosis of  a cardiac rhythm disorder whether it be A Fib or V Tac or thousands of PVC's a day.  I think that the newly trained residents are much less likely to "poo-poo" benign rhythm problems and treat the whole person.  Before my daughter's first cardiologist even looked at her EKG tracing she flippantly told her that she would have to change her lifestyle, ie, the usual stuff as you mentioned with food and alcohol.  She stepped up to the computer screen, looked at the tracing and her face turned bright red.  She apologized and said that obviously diet would not fix pvc's which are in bi and trigeminy continously day in and day out.  That cardiologist immediately referred her to the EP and she was seen the next day.  I know that most people (rightfully so) are scared to death of having an ablation, but in some severe cases of PVC's, they turn out to be a miracle.  If PVC's or any of the other rhythm disorders are ruining your quality of life, please ask to be referred to an EP.  Beta Blockers and other meds do work on some people, but sooner or later most stop being effective and you are back to square one.  Don't let uninformed or old school physician's tell you that "you just have to live with it", there are usually treatments available to make your life normal again. Thanks for reading this long rant - I'm getting ready to sit in the waiting room again on Monday and I'm so glad that ablations are available!