Question: How has SVT adversely affected your life?

[Jannie411]

I'm curious - how has SVT adversely affected your life?  What have you had to give up and how have you had to modify your life because of SVT?

Last night, I was pondering the many ways SVT has changed the way I live over the last 25+ years.  So many favorite foods and beverages I've had to give up, so many activities I no longer take part in.  I've posted a short list of things below.  

Foods, beverages, and OTC medications........No more.....
-  Alcoholic beverages
-  Caffeinated beverages - soda, coffee, tea.   And have stopped decaf beverages as well.
-  Soda, diet soda, and any other beverages containing aspartame or artificial sweeteners
-  Cough and cold medicines - anything with Pseudoephedrine
-  Allergy medications
-  Chocolate - fortunately only have to give this up temporarily until after ablation.

Outdoor & Indoor Activities and other things that will trigger an SVT event.
-  Hiking.....which I absolutely loved.  My heart can't handle uphill climbing.  For whatever reason, walking downhill isn't a problem, only uphill.
-  Climbing stairs - barely able to climb a flight or two of stairs without having to stop.  This has been one of my biggest triggers for SVT.
-  Roller coasters and amusement parks in general.  (And I love roller coasters, the bigger the better!)
-  Exercise - no more walking on the treadmill till my cardiologist gives the OK after ablation.
-  Volleyball - another activity I loved, had to give this up 25 years ago
-  Aerobics - had a really bad SVT event in the middle of an aerobics class - very embarrassing, that was the end of the aerobics.
-  Swimming in the ocean - cold water guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Work functions - I used to take a vacation or sick day anytime the company had an employee activity, like going to a waterpark, beach, party, participating in presentations, holiday parties, etc.  Did not want to take the chance of having an attack in a crowd of people.  This gained me the reputation of being "antisocial".  Only my boss and HR knew about the SVT and kept it in confidence.
-  Working out in the yard.  I feel bad that I can't help my husband with the yardwork and gardening.
-  Snow shoveling ...... ok, this was something I didn't enjoy, but nevertheless it's another thing on the "do not do" list.
-  Climbing stairs - guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Taking hot showers - guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Stooping, kneeling, or squatting - fair chance of setting off an SVT event when I got up.
-  And one of the worst things - being startled by the phone ringing in the middle of the night.  It always set off an SVT event.  (Unfortunately, we're not able to turn off the phone as I have an elderly parent who isn't in the best of health.)

[Elli126]

Hi, I have the same PSVT as you, 250 to 280 BPM. I also take Metoprolol which has brought it down to a manageable level. I get fewer episodes of shorter duration, which I can most times convert myself (I could never do that before). Yes I do get side effects from the drug, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and some depression. Is it worth it? So far yes, I hate going to the ER (which I'm sure you have read above lol )and until I'm insured, that's about the only alternative. I get the hard beats in SVT sometimes, sometimes not. It also has caused me to have panic attacks for which I am on Ativan PRN.

[CaliforniaAl]

Hey Rich,

I have PSVT with a rate of 250 to 280 BPM as well. it seems everybody has slower SVT. I get very hard beats also, and chest pain during the episodes, and on the monitor my rhythm at that high rate looks like ventricular tachycardia. I'm scared to do anything, anymore. I've developed an anxiety disorder, and panic attacks. I started taking metroprolol, and that has kept me from having a sustained episode for about six months now. I do get little runs that last about 3 to 10 seconds several times per month. Do you get these or just no SVT at all. Also, did you notice any side effects from the metoprolol, perhaps depression or dizziness.

[RichInAz]

Hi. I know that PSVT causes a rapid heartbeat (I've had qvrnt PSVTs since age 12 and I'm 37 now), but does anyone else get very HARD and FORCEFUL heartbeats when having a PSVT? When I have PSVTs I get up to 250 to 280 bpm and my heart beats so hard that you can see it. My cardiologist said that's normal for some people with PSVT.

I had PSVTs a few times a week until about age 20 and they've gone down to about once or twice a year since I started taking 50mg of Metoprolol extended release. The beta blocker doesn't help much with the forcefulness but does slow it down a bit. I had a really bad episode in 2006 when I had to have Adenosine for the first time. The paramedics tried 6mg, 6mg again, then 12. Felt terrible but it finally worked. Since THAT episode happened, I've developed anxiety about my PSVT. Although I used to hike and drive alone, I can no longer do that. It makes my adrenaline go just thinking about it and that can start up a PSVT just from the adrenaline.

Because I only have one episode a year or more now, my EP doesn't think it's worth messing with. But the anxiety just knowing that it could happen is  terrible. The scariest thing is driving on long stretches of road where there's no sign of life for 30 minutes to an hour.

Exercise is also very difficult. I'm a man and find it difficult to stay in shape because when I lift weights, especially with upper body exercises, it really does a number on me. I get a few bad beats and if I don't hold my breath, those turn into a full blown PSVT.

[tom_h]

SVT sometimes occurs during pregnancy, and disappears following delivery.  Most SVT's are harmless, but are frightening nonetheless.  If the SVT doesn't convert own it's own, there are techniques that you can use yourself to convert them to normal rhythm.  Up doing so,will save you a trip to the ER.

[chrisymuzz]

Im 32 years old and had a attack Im also six months pregnant i never had this issue before . The doctor has not given me meds yet. can u die from this

[firefighter47]

It totaly ruined my life untill my second ablation surgery. Last year I was diagnosed with AVNRT and WPW. I was very active before the symptoms came on. I raced dirt bikes every weekend and I worked out every day. I also work as a full time firefighter, which totally began to slowly crumble due to the fact I could never do anything physical without having an episode of SVT. I was forced to take lots of time off work, which finacially was crippling cause I didn't have enough sick or vacation time to cover some of those days. Mentally I also began to crumble, I could no longer do the things I enjoyed doing the most. I was on anxiety meds, heart meds, pain meds, which totally drains you out. It was the worst year of my life to say the least!!!