What can you do about SVT?

I finally got some help with a new dr and wondering what you can do when you are in a SVT? I have been doing this since last summer. Any hints out there? I am having some blood work for thyroid and some other magnesium tests and things. So not sure on what I can do when it happens either. I have been very close at times of passing out and get scared. If you can help with hints let me know. Does a heavy feeling in the chest go with this sometimes also? Ladycolpepper

[ladycolpepper]

Forgot to mention, my other dr told me to rub my juggular vein in my neck to calm the rapid heart rate down but only when sitting down because when standing it would make me pass out for sure. anyone hear of this. ladycolpepper

[ireneo]

I've heard that carotid massage is NOT to be done by an inexperienced person. Too dangerous. Some other, safer choices: cough, take a breath and bear down as if you're having a BM, splash icy water on your face, some people find relief by squatting down (guess it puts pressure on the diaphragm and such). I've had good success with the valsalva - the take a breath and bear down. The only time I've had the chest heaviness is when it goes on a long time - over 15 minutes. Hope this helps and you get answers soon.

[Artaud]

Hi,

For the Carotid Massage, I second Ireneo's comment, I do not believe that the maneuver is recommended for the lay person, such as most of us are. My wife says that she has seen, only on a few occasions, the Doctors that she has worked for doing the Carotid Massage.

From one site, representative of many that I saw: "A variety of methods have been used to interrupt attacks, and patients may learn to perform these themselves. These include Valsalva's maneuver, stretching the arms and body, lowering the head between the knees, coughing, splashing cold water on the face, and breath holding. Carotid sinus massage is often performed by physicians but should be avoided if the patient has carotid bruits or a history of transient cerebral ischemic attacks."

Notice that the Carotid Massage is listed as often being performed by a physician.

The above paragraph mentions breath holding. For awhile, I was experiencing Trigeminy, two normal beats and a PVC, going on for an hour or so at a time. Oddly enough I discovered that by taking in a moderate breath and holding it, the rhythm went back to normal. I would not hold my breath until I felt short on air, just for a little while with my lungs moderately inflated. It broke the cycle (to resume several seconds after beginning to breathe) almost EVERY time.

Coughing is another method of trying to break the cycle. Another is drinking (not too much) of VERY COLD Water. The Vagal Nerve acts on the heart directly to slow the heart's rate. (See Vagus Nerve on Wikipedia). Although the Wiki article mentions Carotid Massage, once again, this is something, from my understanding of it, and from speaking with my wife, who has extensive experience in Doctor's offices as well as currently working for a Cardiologist, that is not done at home but reserved for Doctors to use to break the cycle in a clinical environment.

Try some of these. Anything else your Doctor recommends, but be careful of the Carotid Massage. Try to get more particulars from him/her about the advisability of the patient self administering this method, how to do it if he/she feels that it is ok, and be advised that one of the concerns, especially in older patients (not yourself) is of  causing a stroke by liberating a clot or embolus in the Carotid Artery. Doctors are instructed to listen to the Carotid Artery before doing the Massage to see if bruits (abnormal sounds) can be heard.

Were you given prescription medication, such as a Beta Blocker, to take. Are you staying away from Caffeine, such as from tea, coffee, chocolates, and also avoiding alcohol? Are you aware that medications, such as decongestants, and even vitamins or supplements (such as Saint John’s Wort or Mega Vitamins) can cause problems? Be careful about self medicating with Magnesium or Potassium unless your Doctor is aware and approves.

Wishes for a normal rhythm.

[sueinns]

I found drinking really cold water did help, for awhile, but unfortunately this eventually lost it's effectiveness.  The Valsalva move didn't work for me.  What did seem to help was, I would find a place to sit and take deep, calming breaths and focus on that - kind of like meditating.  Not only would it calm me down (SVT is very unnerving) but it would usually stop the SVT.  It was only temporary but did offer relief.

We are all so individual with this condition.  The others have offered you great suggestions and it's worth giving them a try.  Are you taking beta or calcium channel blockers or being considered for an ablation?

[ladycolpepper]

I have just gotten the diagnosis finally after all summer of the rapid heart rates and loss of hearing and feelings of passing out but not actually doing it. I am not on medicines yet. Was to get thyroid, magnesium and other blood work today but hit by snow in OH today. Why magnesium anyone know? About the carotid rub , one time I was so scared I had the side of my neck so sore from rubbing it......I won't do it any more you all have convinced me it shouldn't be done at home. Thanks . I guess the web is a great place for help. You all have made me feel welcome here and that is a relief. I have been scared and terrified. I have had felt I was gonna die many times the past year from this and alone at a lot of times . Felt no one new what I was going through, how I felt, or how scared I was. I just had a grandaughter in Jan who was very ill with a tumor took up her total inside and was scared I would die and not see her because of this. Now from help from yo uall I have hope that this can be helped out and I can manage this somehow. I am new to the web only a couple years online a few times a day. So thanks so much for the great help here. Ladycolpepper

[ireneo]

Glad we could be of some help. Yes, it can be scary when the heart goes racing and you feel lousy. Hope the weather clears soon for you and you can get that blood work done. Sometimes if our blood values are off it can cause arrhythmias. Certainly if the thyroid is off that will affect the heart. In the meantime, take it easy and I hope at least one of these vagal maneuvers works for you. Don't let the arrhythmia go on too long before trying one. It seems to be more difficult to break if you wait 15 minutes to try it. Hope the granddaughter is doing well.