PSVT??

[NightDreamy]

Hi,
I am a healthy 23 year old and I had an episode while sitting down, my heart started beating really fast for about 5-6 beats and then returned to normal and it sort of started and ended with a pac as some people have said, but I am not exactly sure because it happened so fast. It really scared me and I have no idea what it could be, I do suffer from aniexty. Was it PSVT? I haven't gotten another one since. Should I be concerned? If it was PSVT could it have been caused by aniexty? I told my doctor about it and he said it was probably stress, should I get it checked out or is it normal to get PSVT once in a while or from stress? Please help!

[NightDreamy]

*started with a pac or pvc not sure which*

[NightDreamy]

I also get occasional pvcs sometimes more than one in a row

[ireneo]

The fact that it started and stopped so suddenly, most likely it was PSVT. That's the nature of it and why it's called paroxysmal SVT. If your heart is otherwise normal then it's no cause for concern. I've had PSVT for at least 50 years. I still have it. Sometimes it's a mini-tachy like you had, just a few beats. Sometimes it lasts longer. Except for the annoyance factor my heart is just fine. If you have a time where the heart rate doesn't convert back to normal in 15 minutes or so, head to the doctor to get it checked and possibly converted back to NSR. There are plenty of triggers for PSVT and you'll discover yours and avoid them. Also know that sometimes it just happens. Take care.

[NightDreamy]

Thanks Ireneo, I have only had one in my life and it was during a time of bad stress and aniexty, could that be the cause?

[NightDreamy]

I have also had a normal Holter Monitor.

[ireneo]

Stress is definitely a trigger. So are fatigue, caffeine, certain cold medications, exercise, heat, . . .  you get the idea. For some people just bending over will set it off. One of my triggers is eating too fast. Hopefully this will be a one time event for you. If it continues to happen more frequently or you become symptomatic (dizzy, fainting, chest pains, longer episodes) do check in with your doctor. There are some ways to deal with PSVT - simple do it yourself vagal maneuvers, medications or even ablation for the stubborn cases.

[NightDreamy]

I was worried it could be Ventricular tachycardia? what is the difference?

[ireneo]

Even v-tach in a normal heart is not a problem when it's so brief. I found out at my stress test that I had some non-sustained v-tach, just a few beats. When it becomes a problem is when it lasts 30 seconds or more. Then the doctors will monitor it closely and probably deal with it some how. V-tach can be dangerous since it involves the larger chambers of the heart that do the major pumping and circulation to the body. Most folks with nasty episodes of VT pass out.