SVT and VT

I recently found out that someone i know says he has SVT in both the upper and lower chambers.  i don't know if this means he has SVT and VT or if it's possible to have both. He's had two surgeries...possibly catheter ablations and takes daily medication. he recently went to his doctor due to sharp chest pains and had another EKG done...apparently his heart is becoming enlarged and bruised from beating against his chest wall.  They upped his meds but said there is nothing else they can do and apparently told him that his life expectancy is in his 40's...can that be possible?  He's 23 now.  is there nothing else they can do, pacemaker, transplant?  Getting worried and quite confused, any help would be greatly appreciated.  

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Unfortunately I would need more precise information to really answer that question.  If they really think his life expectancy is significantly decreased, they should think about the option of a heart transplant when the time comes.  In the mean time, there is a lot that can be done with medications and sometimes pacemakers if the circumstances are right.  A second may be helpful if there are questions about if other things can be done.

I hope this helps.