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]

Please pardon my typing, its terrible! Meant Adenosine and day not dau of course! LMAO

[Elli126]

o Lisa and Jannie,
PSVT is paridoxical (sp) supraventricular tachycardia, means the heart is not only in SVT but running backwards so to speak ( so me! ) I can't usually convert myself and have to go the the ER and get Adensone push-everyone here knows how much I hate that!!!! Living alone is scary, always waiting for the next eopisode but I can't let it stop me from living my life. I will let everyone know if I can finally get to the EP. May have to use tax return to pay for it out of pocket and hopefully get some kind of payment plan for any additional testing. Having a really crappy dau today just dealing with more than usual PVCs, hope it all I have to deal with today!

[Jannie411]

Hi.....BigKev414 is right.....you're too young to have this take over your life.  Please talk to the doctor some more.....I'm praying that he can help you or that he can refer you to someone who can.  Wishing you all the best.

[Jannie411]

Hi Lisa,

Re: your questions on SVT.  My PCP always told me that it wasn't possible to die from SVT, but if it didn't convert in a short period of time that I should get myself to the ER.  I have to admit, that last episode I had three weeks ago, I sure felt like I was going to die.

SVT and PSVT are the same thing?  Not sure.  My SVT's started out as infrequent, and as the years went by they increased until they were occurring several times a week.  (This was before the days of my taking atenolol.)   I still don't know what kind of SVT I have....guess I will find out tomorrow.

Re:  Dangerous arrhythmia originates in the ventricles? That's what I thought too, but again I could be wrong as I'm not a trained medical professional.  Looking forward to hearing others' opinions on this.

[Jannie411]

I can relate to the day-to-day fear.  I hadn't had it for a long time, until my SVT started acting up again recently. SVT has spoiled so many things in my life, but I will not let it defeat me.  What I really hate more than anything else is the atenolol.   I hope you are able to get some money together soon so you can see the EP.  Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing.

[Jannie411]

Thanks for the warning on the "max out of pocket" expenses.  I did check it out a few weeks ago with the insurance company.  :-)