SVT and 6 weeks pregnant

I have not yet seen a doctor for my first antenal check up, that is when I'm 12 weeks pregnant, for the past 2 and a half years I have had problems with SVT episodes, for the last 4 months I have had no episodes of SVT but perivously I had at least 1 per month but was able to stop them with cold water on my face or beta-blockers. My question is will my SVT worsen during pregnancy, will I be a high risk pregnancy even though I have had no episodes for so long? If I do get an episode why'll pregnant, should I goto the hospital even if I'm able to stop it on my own? What care will I recieve? Any advice on this would be great.

[Brooke_38]

Pregnancy has been identified as a risk factor for paroxysmal SVT. The increase in frequency of arrhythmias and in symptoms during pregnancy may be a result of the increased blood volume, hormonal, autonomic, and emotional changes.

Whether you need to see a high risk OB will depend on your current Dr and his/her level of comfort in seeing you through the pregnancy. A visit to the ER is not usually necessary if you've terminated the SVT on your own...however, your Dr may think differently so this is a question that you should direct to your Dr during your appt.

Treatment of SVT in pregnancy may affect the fetus. For this reason, pharmacological treatment is best reserved for those with haemodynamic changes, severe symptoms or sustained arrhythmias. Non-pharmacological treatment including vagal manoeuvres such as carotid massage, Valsalva manoeuvre and facial ice immersion are well tolerated and safe for both mother and fetus.

If those measures fail to terminate the SVT than Adenosine,  is safe and effective in terminating SVT. It is rapidly metabolized with a very short half-life, making it ideally suitable for use in pregnancy.

If adenosine fails, other antiarrhythmics may be indicated and the risk of their use should be weighed against the risk of continuing SVT. Beta-blockers have been used extensively in pregnancy, to treat maternal hypertension and cardiac problems, and are generally well tolerated.  Verapamil, a calcium channel-blocking agent, is as effective as adenosine in converting an SVT to sinus rhythm.

Congrats on your pregnancy and the best of luck to you!

[Brooke_38]

Pregnancy has been identified as a risk factor for paroxysmal SVT. The increase in frequency of arrhythmias and in symptoms during pregnancy may be a result of the increased blood volume, hormonal, autonomic, and emotional changes.

Whether you need to see a high risk OB will depend on your current Dr and his/her level of comfort in seeing you through the pregnancy. A visit to the ER is not usually necessary if you've terminated the SVT on your own...however, your Dr may think differently so this is a question that you should direct to your Dr during your appt.

Treatment of SVT in pregnancy may affect the fetus. For this reason, pharmacological treatment is best reserved for those with haemodynamic changes, severe symptoms or sustained arrhythmias. Non-pharmacological treatment including vagal manoeuvres such as carotid massage, Valsalva manoeuvre and facial ice immersion are well tolerated and safe for both mother and fetus.

If those measures fail to terminate the SVT than Adenosine,  is safe and effective in terminating SVT. It is rapidly metabolized with a very short half-life, making it ideally suitable for use in pregnancy.

If adenosine fails, other antiarrhythmics may be indicated and the risk of their use should be weighed against the risk of continuing SVT. Beta-blockers have been used extensively in pregnancy, to treat maternal hypertension and cardiac problems, and are generally well tolerated.  Verapamil, a calcium channel-blocking agent, is as effective as adenosine in converting an SVT to sinus rhythm.

Congrats on your pregnancy and the best of luck to you!

[TTC1984]

Thankyou so much for your answer, when my pregnancy was comfirmed I forgot to ask my GP these questions, I'm going to make an appointment with my GP to discuss my concerns and get the info I need before I acually speak to my midwife, your answer was very helpful and put things into prespective