Supraventricular Tachycardia at 24

Hi there,

I am 24, quit smoking the beginning of this year and now do not drink. I have recently been sent to A&E with my second time with SVT this year I have had this 3 times in total the first happening 6 years ago. The first two times did not stop when given Adenosine but the 3rd time was sorted by this. I have been given Pill in pocket to take when it happens (50 Ml of Flecainide) A few questions to anyone who may be able to answer them as I am so anxious about it happening again and it is taking over my life. The Doctor and Cardiologist have said carry on as normal and see him again in 8 months.

> Will this kill me?
> Can I continue Training (Running and Weights)?
> Each time this has happened has been around 3 days after a heavy binge on Alcohol. Is this the likely trigger?? ( I have stopped drinking in fear of this happening again, is one or two drinks every now and again going to cause issues)?

Thank you

Sorry if you have heard this over and over.

[IaneFortin]

Hello, I'll try answer as best I can with what I know after 13 years with SVT (I'm now 26)

> Will this kill me?
A:  If it's been confirmed that it is SVT then you shouldn't worry about dying from it.

> Can I continue Training (Running and Weights)?
A: I use to train alot and loved the active life even with SVT. For my situation I had to let it go until ablation and after that I should be back to normal and better then ever.  If you're not sure, start seeing a Cardio. From there you'll start to get some answers. ( Most specialists don't recommend stopping a normal daily routine, it's a great way of relieving stress. )

> Each time this has happened has been around 3 days after a heavy binge on Alcohol. Is this the likely trigger?? ( I have stopped drinking in fear of this happening again, is one or two drinks every now and again going to cause issues)?
A: Alcohol is a likely trigger, especially when binging. I'm surprised it's never happened to you while drinking and only after. It's not a bad thing for you to nearly stop all drinking until you see a specialist. It's only good for you anyway ;)

Best advice I can give is. Try to not panic. I know how disturbing it is to have super fast heartbeats all of a sudden. Take a breather, calm yourself, Try some Valsalva maneuvers to try and correct itself out. When all else fails ( after 30mins. )  go to the ER. Believe me they are quite used to seeing Tachycardia sufferers and know what to do to help you.

Hope it helps you a bit
If your concerned keep reading and post others will chime in

Iane F.

[IaneFortin]

Hello, I'll try answer as best I can with what I know after 13 years with SVT (I'm now 26)

> Will this kill me?
A:  If it's been confirmed that it is SVT then you shouldn't worry about dying from it.

> Can I continue Training (Running and Weights)?
A: I use to train alot and loved the active life even with SVT. For my situation I had to let it go until ablation and after that I should be back to normal and better then ever.  If you're not sure, start seeing a Cardio. From there you'll start to get some answers. ( Most specialists don't recommend stopping a normal daily routine, it's a great way of relieving stress. )

> Each time this has happened has been around 3 days after a heavy binge on Alcohol. Is this the likely trigger?? ( I have stopped drinking in fear of this happening again, is one or two drinks every now and again going to cause issues)?
A: Alcohol is a likely trigger, especially when binging. I'm surprised it's never happened to you while drinking and only after. It's not a bad thing for you to nearly stop all drinking until you see a specialist. It's only good for you anyway ;)

Best advice I can give is. Try to not panic. I know how disturbing it is to have super fast heartbeats all of a sudden. Take a breather, calm yourself, Try some Valsalva maneuvers to try and correct itself out. When all else fails ( after 30mins. )  go to the ER. Believe me they are quite used to seeing Tachycardia sufferers and know what to do to help you.

Hope it helps you a bit
If your concerned keep reading and post others will chime in

Iane F.

[is_something_wrong]

I can only agree with Iane F. here.

> Will this kill me?
No. And as an addition to previous answer, if it's converted with adenosine, it IS SVT (AVNRT). I guess this is confirmed by ECG anyway.

> Can I continue Training (Running and Weights)?
I think you should. You should not continue exercise during the SVT events, though (as you probably understand)

> Each time this has happened has been around 3 days after a heavy binge on Alcohol. Is this the likely trigger?? ( I have stopped drinking in fear of this happening again, is one or two drinks every now and again going to cause issues)?
The real trigger is a PAC with wrong timing, but alcohol both causes more such ectopic beats, and can make the heart more vulnerable towards AVNRT (which actually is one of the possible arrhythmias in a "holiday heart syndrome" the other one is afib). You should cut back on drinking (a couple of beers should be enough). It's good for you anyway:)

Good luck!

[djb85]

Thank you for your answers, very helpful and relieving.

I must admit the more I learn about this the calmer I get about the whole situation just because I can almost see in my head what is happening to cause this and how it is stopped.

The first 2 times I had this I still had Afib after my heart was slowed down By ER and was kept in overnight with a Drip of Flecainide. The last time I had it was the only time the SVT was converted back to normal with adenosine, im guessing this is because I had taken the Flecainide before i had even arrived in ER? plus I believe Caffine can block the effectiveness of adenosine. I had drunk lots of Caffine on the last 2 and none on the most recent attack.

As for Lane F being suprised this hasn't happened whilst heavy drinking, the more I think about it the more I think it has. But the drinking elminates the Fear I had when Sober. Every time I drink more than a few My pulse is high and I can usually feel this when I have reached the top of the stairs ETC.

Thanks again.

[grendslori]

The heavy drinking has a more serious outcome for the heart than a fast heart rate which isn't going to kill you as others have stated. having said that there is something called Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy, that will kill you.