SVT vs Anxiety

[dancer33]

In the past, I've confused my SVT with anxiety or panic attacks. Whenever I get really anxious, I constantly fear I will go into SVT and have to go to the ER. I hate when you have to get the shot of adenosine in the ER :( I've also never had panic attacks prior to being diagnosed with SVT. So me knowing I have SVT causes me anxiety and then leads to a panic attack. Any insight on this matter? Maybe on how to distinguish between the two? How to calm down? Isn't anxiety a trigger of SVT?

[dancer33]

Tom that's awesome! I'm happy for you. I hope I can have a success story like yours. I'd just be terrified to get an ablation! Mine is not that bad right now. I'm 23 and have only had around 3 somewhat "bad ones" that lasted like 15 minutes or longer and other smaller ones that probably lasted a short period of time. And only had to go once to the ER for the SVT since I didn't know the maneuvers. What did you do to convert it? Thanks again Tom!

[dancer33]

Thanks Michelle, yeah I think I need to ask more questions from my cardiologist like what causes my SVT, what kind I have, etc.

[tom_h]

To answer your questions: I had nearly a lifetime of SVT having had my first episode at six years of age.  SVT became intertwined in my daily lifestyle.  Having learned how to convert it after the first episode, when it started, I'd move to the sidelines, convert it, and move on.  I was always anxious when it would start, always wondering if this episode would be the one that I couldn't stop.  In the 54 years that I had it, I suppose that I had hundreds of SVT episodes.  I was able to successfully convert each one. I was assured over and over by many cardiologists that my condition was not life threatening, and I suppose those two facts are what made me cope with it for so many years. Instead of buckling to it, I challenged SVT by participating in sports requiring high respiratory output.  It often won,but I was determined to not let it control my life.  I imagine that I'd still have it if it were not for my cardiologist who after seeing my pulse rate of 225, became concerned that my aging heart would not be able to withstand the frequent events which had grown to about five episodes per month.  He convinced me to undergo an EP study and ablation.  1 year, 2 months, no SVT!

[MichelleP_3811]

Cardioversion is generally used for afib.  Adenosine usually works for accessory pathway svts like avnrt avrt.  I think it is rare they would ever need to cardiovert for the pathway svts.  You likely have an accessory pathway svt but would need to get that official diagnosis from your cardiologist.  

[dancer33]

Hi Jcrow. I have not heard of that. I take it, you've done this? Is this kind of like a valsalva (spelling?) maneuver? Please inform me about this. Thanks.

[dancer33]

I've never been electroconverted. I've had the adenosine but I believe if that didn't work I'd have to go through the electrocardioversion. I'm not really informed on electrocardioversion. How was it for you? What do they do? Has anyone offered the idea of an ablation to you? I hate going to the ER for adenosine even though I've just done it once, I just hate having SVT period. I need to learn to accept it, even though I rarely have it. I also am trying to do calmer things. I'm reading, listening to soft/slow music, doing yoga/pilates, and meditation. I hope these will work for me over time. I will take a look at the books you recommended, thank you :) Glad to hear you're doing better. I also quit my job too. We gotta take care of ourselves. Well I hope you take advantage of calming activities and that we'll lead more relaxed lives. Take care of yourself and I will too. Thanks for your help, Delta.