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NSVT Question
This past Saturday, I had very bad heart palpitations and my hubby took me to ER. This is my FOURTH trip to either ER, Dr. Office, Cardiologist Office. Every other time, they found nothing unusual. This time, my heart was racing up to 160 BPM, and then back to normal after a few seconds. It did this many times, and eventually I was admitted and they ran a lot of tests, and cardiologist eventually said NTSV (Non Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia). They administered Admindiarone and eventually Metropolol. 52 hours of CCU later, I was released with prescriptions of said medicines. When I was admitted, I was having 4-5 episodes an hour. When I was released, I had had 1 very mild short episode in 24 hours.
I do not return to the cardiologist until July 16th. He said I should resume normal activity, minus caffeine because the meds were doing what they needed to do.
So, here's my question (finally). How do I go on? Everytime I get a little panicked about anything (I have two teenagers!), I feel my heart pounding, and wonder if this is it. I live 30 miles from the hospital, and wonder if I'd make it in time. Anxiety is not helping me! I have a little chest pain---tightness, if you will, like when you have chest congestion from a bad cold. I have some pain (maybe more like discomfort?) across my left mid-back. This afternoon, I got angry about something that happened---nothing out of the ordinary!---and there was that thump thump thump. I've taken my blood pressure/heart rate at least 12 times today---all normal. Nothing exciting.
Doctor said I've had this my whole life, but I feel like my whole life changed with this diagnosis. My husband said, "You have to create a baseline for normalcy, and then you can determine what is better or worse." Great idea, but on Saturday when I was spazzing, I had no pain---just a pronounced rapid heartbeat. It feels fast now, but the machine says it's normal. It feels like it's pounding right now---but maybe I'm just more aware of it??? I keep going between, "The Dr. wouldn't have sent me home if there was a risk," to "OMG, my chest hurts---is this something I should worry about? My heart rate is up---is this something I should worry about?" I definitely can not just "go back to normal."
Any commentary would help---even telling me I'm crazy!
I do not return to the cardiologist until July 16th. He said I should resume normal activity, minus caffeine because the meds were doing what they needed to do.
So, here's my question (finally). How do I go on? Everytime I get a little panicked about anything (I have two teenagers!), I feel my heart pounding, and wonder if this is it. I live 30 miles from the hospital, and wonder if I'd make it in time. Anxiety is not helping me! I have a little chest pain---tightness, if you will, like when you have chest congestion from a bad cold. I have some pain (maybe more like discomfort?) across my left mid-back. This afternoon, I got angry about something that happened---nothing out of the ordinary!---and there was that thump thump thump. I've taken my blood pressure/heart rate at least 12 times today---all normal. Nothing exciting.
Doctor said I've had this my whole life, but I feel like my whole life changed with this diagnosis. My husband said, "You have to create a baseline for normalcy, and then you can determine what is better or worse." Great idea, but on Saturday when I was spazzing, I had no pain---just a pronounced rapid heartbeat. It feels fast now, but the machine says it's normal. It feels like it's pounding right now---but maybe I'm just more aware of it??? I keep going between, "The Dr. wouldn't have sent me home if there was a risk," to "OMG, my chest hurts---is this something I should worry about? My heart rate is up---is this something I should worry about?" I definitely can not just "go back to normal."
Any commentary would help---even telling me I'm crazy!
It sounds like they have solved the acute problem with meds and you are not that far off from seeing your cardiologist. This is all good.
You haven't said why you have NSVT. Perhaps they dont know yet, but NSVT can be symptomatic of an underlying issue. What that issue is determines the way forward. These days, they do have ways to treat VT permanently in many cases. What they cant treat, they can use drugs on, or offer you an ICD to address any safety issues. Or your situation can turn out to be more simple: you can have benign NSVT and just treat the symptoms and increase your comfort level.
You will probably be undergoing some testing. They generally try to rule out heart diseases of various types (hypertrophy, blocked arteries, fibrosis, etc), or genetic causes. This can involve stress tests, echocardiograms, blood tests, MRI, CT scan, and others. They will want to know about your medical history and that of your close relatives. Most of this is straight forward stuff. Talk to you doctor and try to go someplace that you can count on to get this testing done right.
From what I read, the most common types of non-genetic monomorphic VT's can be treated permanently with ablation. This is a development that has occurred within the last 5-10 years. There is some risk involved in this and not all EP's have the skill set. Some VT types are more difficult to ablate and treatment comes with a greater risk. Most of the polymorphic VT's are genetic. Those usually get an ICD and drug treatment. The type of VT you have, and the reason you have it, are big factors in determining an appropriate treatment strategy. There is a very good change though that you have a benign NSVT. So don't get too wound up about this.
As for your safety, and depending on the seriousness of your situation, you could ask your cardiologist whether your safety is at risk, and do they recommend buying an AECD for your home. However, try not to jump the gun if this would just be overkill. Many many people just have benign NSVT.
You haven't said why you have NSVT. Perhaps they dont know yet, but NSVT can be symptomatic of an underlying issue. What that issue is determines the way forward. These days, they do have ways to treat VT permanently in many cases. What they cant treat, they can use drugs on, or offer you an ICD to address any safety issues. Or your situation can turn out to be more simple: you can have benign NSVT and just treat the symptoms and increase your comfort level.
You will probably be undergoing some testing. They generally try to rule out heart diseases of various types (hypertrophy, blocked arteries, fibrosis, etc), or genetic causes. This can involve stress tests, echocardiograms, blood tests, MRI, CT scan, and others. They will want to know about your medical history and that of your close relatives. Most of this is straight forward stuff. Talk to you doctor and try to go someplace that you can count on to get this testing done right.
From what I read, the most common types of non-genetic monomorphic VT's can be treated permanently with ablation. This is a development that has occurred within the last 5-10 years. There is some risk involved in this and not all EP's have the skill set. Some VT types are more difficult to ablate and treatment comes with a greater risk. Most of the polymorphic VT's are genetic. Those usually get an ICD and drug treatment. The type of VT you have, and the reason you have it, are big factors in determining an appropriate treatment strategy. There is a very good change though that you have a benign NSVT. So don't get too wound up about this.
As for your safety, and depending on the seriousness of your situation, you could ask your cardiologist whether your safety is at risk, and do they recommend buying an AECD for your home. However, try not to jump the gun if this would just be overkill. Many many people just have benign NSVT.
I suffer from chronic PVCs, so I can relate to your anxiety.
i hope you feel better soon. just a thought, when my PVCs act up, I try to involve myself in something that sort of takes my mind off of the heart irregularities. I know this is a lot easier said than done, but sometimes it works for me.
my best to you
i hope you feel better soon. just a thought, when my PVCs act up, I try to involve myself in something that sort of takes my mind off of the heart irregularities. I know this is a lot easier said than done, but sometimes it works for me.
my best to you
Thanks Michelle! It just seems that everyday a new door opens with this. Right now, it's sleeplessness. The last two nights, I've gotten very little sleep. I don't know if this is anxiety or an effect of the medication. And it seems that every day has yet another "oddity" that I wonder about.
Again, thanks so much for your response. It does comfort me to know that there are others out there living with even more than I am!
Again, thanks so much for your response. It does comfort me to know that there are others out there living with even more than I am!
I don't have anything to add to what the others have said, I had svt not vt so I am not really knowledgeable on the subject but just want to let you know I know how you feel. I was quite ignorant of my heart condition while I was growing up. I knew my heart beat fast from time to time but I think since I was born with it I just assumed it was normal and everyone did it. I also think I assumed I was hyperventilating. That my severe shortness of breath was related to my lungs and my heart was beating fast in response not the other way around, my heart was beating fast making it hard for me to breath. But once I was told it was my heart all of a sudden there is this hyper focus on your heart and every odd beat you feel. It can be difficult to get past and you have bigger issues than I have. But if I have learned anything about the heart through all of my issues is that it is a very resilient muscle and can keep us alive in all manner of ways. the fact yours is nonsustaining and isn't causing you to pass out is a good sign. As hard as it can be the worst thing we can do to ourselves is stress out about it so just take some time to address the stress if you can Even if it is a matter of stopping to take deeps breaths all day long. I have personally found it does help a lot to alleviate stress and anxiety. You will never be able to avoid stress and anxiety but we can take control how we respond to it and deep breathing really does help calm the nerves a bit. Well anyways, I wish you the best of luck moving forward and getting control of your condition. Take care and feel better soon.
Thanks, Bromley!
I find it hard to believe that just a week ago, I had no cares or worry, and now I'm a basket case. My cardiologist encouraged me to go back to all normal activity, and I really am trying to. But, at times like this (fatigue/anxiety) I just can't imagine. I don't want to feed my paranoia, but at the same time, don't want to ignore something that might be important. I do, however, see, that each day gets better---and you have demonstrated that. Thanks.
I find it hard to believe that just a week ago, I had no cares or worry, and now I'm a basket case. My cardiologist encouraged me to go back to all normal activity, and I really am trying to. But, at times like this (fatigue/anxiety) I just can't imagine. I don't want to feed my paranoia, but at the same time, don't want to ignore something that might be important. I do, however, see, that each day gets better---and you have demonstrated that. Thanks.
Hi. I intially went through something like this myself. You might need to get the testing done to characterize what you have. If you find out you have benign SVT for instance, would you sleep better? If yours is polymorphic, you might sleep better if the problem was addressed. I have lived with benign NSVT for about 10 years now. I know that it can be ablated at this point with low risk. However, the palpitations are little more than an annoyance, now that I know what I am dealing with. Initially, emotions ruled, even though the NSVT was benign all along.
Artraud,
Please forgive me, but I've read and researched many articles in well respected medical journals in the past few days, so a response from a CNA/EMT may or may not be worthy. I'm not saying he doesn't know. I'm saying that you can't believe everything on the Internet read in forums from well-meaning, but possibly misguided individuals. I should also add that many doctors are dead wrong, and there's plenty of people on the Internet posing as doctors who are not actually doctors. Who's to know? So, in an effort to weed out the good from the bad, I try to find authentic medical articles. I'm a librarian --- I am suspect of information, and if that offended you, I apologize.
How does one NOT worry? My GP said, "You have to find a new normal." OK. This morning, I woke at 2:30 and used the restroom and crawled back into bed. No issues---until I couldn't fall back to sleep. The more I lay there, the more my mind wandered off to my heart rhythm, and then----there it was, that quick acceleration, and I despite my attempts for the next four hours, I was not able to sleep. Lack of sleep seems to make all things worse in this area, so now I'm feeling a little anxiety, a lot of fatigue, and generally just crummy.
Yesterday I had a very uneventful health day. Kids and I had some cleaning out to do and hauled stuff to the trash. It was 94 degrees, and it was moderately hard work, but it totally wore me out---it took me about an hour to feel like I had physically recovered afterward. Is this the way my "new normal" is going to be, or will I progressively get past this?
My brother-in-law take no meds and sees no cardiologist for his NSVT. I realize that every NSVT is different, but I am hoping that I come to the point where I can be off meds and just know that this it part of being me, without fear of every ache and pain and heartbeat.
Please forgive me, but I've read and researched many articles in well respected medical journals in the past few days, so a response from a CNA/EMT may or may not be worthy. I'm not saying he doesn't know. I'm saying that you can't believe everything on the Internet read in forums from well-meaning, but possibly misguided individuals. I should also add that many doctors are dead wrong, and there's plenty of people on the Internet posing as doctors who are not actually doctors. Who's to know? So, in an effort to weed out the good from the bad, I try to find authentic medical articles. I'm a librarian --- I am suspect of information, and if that offended you, I apologize.
How does one NOT worry? My GP said, "You have to find a new normal." OK. This morning, I woke at 2:30 and used the restroom and crawled back into bed. No issues---until I couldn't fall back to sleep. The more I lay there, the more my mind wandered off to my heart rhythm, and then----there it was, that quick acceleration, and I despite my attempts for the next four hours, I was not able to sleep. Lack of sleep seems to make all things worse in this area, so now I'm feeling a little anxiety, a lot of fatigue, and generally just crummy.
Yesterday I had a very uneventful health day. Kids and I had some cleaning out to do and hauled stuff to the trash. It was 94 degrees, and it was moderately hard work, but it totally wore me out---it took me about an hour to feel like I had physically recovered afterward. Is this the way my "new normal" is going to be, or will I progressively get past this?
My brother-in-law take no meds and sees no cardiologist for his NSVT. I realize that every NSVT is different, but I am hoping that I come to the point where I can be off meds and just know that this it part of being me, without fear of every ache and pain and heartbeat.
One additional thought. Sometimes when the subject of SVT comes up, the subject of VT also comes up. The reason for this is that it can be difficult to distinguish the two in some circumstances. SVT can also be genetic.
Hi. The idea is not to worry so much. However, a genetic polymorphic NSVT or VT is something you need to talk to your doctor about. As far as I am aware, if that is what you have, there are treatments available for you that can reduce the rate of occurrence of your tachycardia (for example the drug treatment you got) and increase your safety. But it may be sometime before you arrive at that diagnosis. As Artaud mentions, there are often times when doctors come to different conclusions.
You could ask your doctor if it would make sense to purchase an AECD for your home. I can not diagnose as I am not a doctor. Some people have benign NSVT. So having palpitations does not warrant excessive worry. Be diligent with your medical care.
You could ask your doctor if it would make sense to purchase an AECD for your home. I can not diagnose as I am not a doctor. Some people have benign NSVT. So having palpitations does not warrant excessive worry. Be diligent with your medical care.
He was making the statements on a pay for answers forum. There are doctors that supervise and comment on the answers as they did in agreement with many of his posts. I had seizures for more than 15 years by consulting the "experts", and had cancer of the thyroid that other experts told me was just anxiety. You put far too much trust in letters before names.
I just consulted an Electrophysiologist, he told me that my PVCs were caused by an issue in the RVOT, yet I went to a more senior E.P. after that, he emphatically said the first E.P. was wrong, that the focus of my PVCs are in the Purkinje Fibers. How would this be possible, they both are accredited E.P.s?
Ultimately, John's answer was bore out by your own physican's lack of care, you're fishing for something to be afraid about.
Be well.
I just consulted an Electrophysiologist, he told me that my PVCs were caused by an issue in the RVOT, yet I went to a more senior E.P. after that, he emphatically said the first E.P. was wrong, that the focus of my PVCs are in the Purkinje Fibers. How would this be possible, they both are accredited E.P.s?
Ultimately, John's answer was bore out by your own physican's lack of care, you're fishing for something to be afraid about.
Be well.
My worry with the reference you gave me is that the only John Kenyon I could find is a CNA and EMT (I was a CNA when I was 20 years old, and an EMT for a few years after that). I don't really think of him as qualified to make the statements he makes.
If I've found the wrong John Kenyon, I shall stand corrected, but in the meantime, I'm not very reassured.
If I've found the wrong John Kenyon, I shall stand corrected, but in the meantime, I'm not very reassured.
Hi MuggleMom,
Google search for "john kenyon topic-16095.html" exactly as shown without the quotes. He addresses the topic of your concern. Bromely rightly urges circumspection, but John says "V-tach is generally only of concern when the left ventricle is diseased and not functioning properly."
I suspect that's why your doctor does not seem to have the level of concern that you have. Regardless of any comfort you may have with John's article, it is important to follow your physician's suggestions. You can always seek a second opinion if not satisified. In addition, keep a diary of your symptoms, heart, breathing, dizziness, etc. and make a list of your questions and concerns for the next time you visit him or her.
Hope this is of some help.
Google search for "john kenyon topic-16095.html" exactly as shown without the quotes. He addresses the topic of your concern. Bromely rightly urges circumspection, but John says "V-tach is generally only of concern when the left ventricle is diseased and not functioning properly."
I suspect that's why your doctor does not seem to have the level of concern that you have. Regardless of any comfort you may have with John's article, it is important to follow your physician's suggestions. You can always seek a second opinion if not satisified. In addition, keep a diary of your symptoms, heart, breathing, dizziness, etc. and make a list of your questions and concerns for the next time you visit him or her.
Hope this is of some help.
My cardiologist ran a plethora of tests during my hospital stay (EKGs repeatedly, sonogram, many blood tests). He concluded that my NSVT is congenital ( I used to pass out when I was a small child, for no apparent reason), along with the fact that I have no disease or condition present that would cause the NSTV.
So, at what point do I get worried? Since the hospital stay, I'm acutely aware of my heartbeat. I take my BP and Heart Rate 12 times a day. I realize that I'm hyperfocussing, but I don't know the line between "normal" and "abnormal" right now.
Example, my chest feels like I have chest congestion, and my throat hurts. Is this a concern?
So, at what point do I get worried? Since the hospital stay, I'm acutely aware of my heartbeat. I take my BP and Heart Rate 12 times a day. I realize that I'm hyperfocussing, but I don't know the line between "normal" and "abnormal" right now.
Example, my chest feels like I have chest congestion, and my throat hurts. Is this a concern?
One other matter of potential interest for you. The university of Pennsylvania has been a sort of center of excellence for VT. By this I mean they have done a fair amount of research on VT, and are a good source of information. As for treatment successes and the other qualities of a good heart hospital, I cant say how this institution stacks up. I mention it for you awareness, in case you do online research.
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