Aa
supraventricular tachycardia
So for about a week I been feeling what I thought was a PAC's and still could be I guess..
I had a 24 hour heart monitor on that I returned yesterday.
I woke up to my phone ringing and the nurse from my regular physician told me the results.
She said, we got the results back and it looked like you have some SVT runs on your monitor, the Dr would like
you to have a Echo stress test and follow up with a cardiologist.
WTF WTF WTF is going on, those were my thoughts and it shot me into panic....
I had no idea what SVT was so I thought immediately I was gonna die soon.
I found out its supraventricular tachycardia and that I had a total of 160 beats on my 24 hour monitor, and one run of 16 beats.
Not sure if that is a lot or pretty normal for SVT, I was told its benign condition and there is up to
3 million cases a year and it is not LIFE THREATENING.
If this is what I have been feeling its very fast and only last 3-4 seconds usually but happens quite frequently.
Can SVT be that quit onset and off?
My Dr gave me some beta blockers to take, I have not taken them yet. 50mg of toprol (metoprolol) to take one
time daily.
I'm already taking blood pressure meds but he said to take both...WTF won't that make my BP way to low.
My normal reading is 120/65 pulse usually 59-65.
If I remember correctly my pac count was around 100 and my pvc was around 20.
All this is a lot to take in and I'm pretty scared at this point.
So here is my questions.
Who has SVT (PSVT) and how long have you had it?
Did you get ablation?
Have you tried beta blockers for it?
Did it work? How do they work?
Can I exercise with SVT?
Why did the Dr. call me so fast if its not dangerous?
Why did they set me up to have a echo stress test?
Should I be this worried?
Sorry for all this and thanks a ton for all the help, this board has already helped me a ton.
I had a 24 hour heart monitor on that I returned yesterday.
I woke up to my phone ringing and the nurse from my regular physician told me the results.
She said, we got the results back and it looked like you have some SVT runs on your monitor, the Dr would like
you to have a Echo stress test and follow up with a cardiologist.
WTF WTF WTF is going on, those were my thoughts and it shot me into panic....
I had no idea what SVT was so I thought immediately I was gonna die soon.
I found out its supraventricular tachycardia and that I had a total of 160 beats on my 24 hour monitor, and one run of 16 beats.
Not sure if that is a lot or pretty normal for SVT, I was told its benign condition and there is up to
3 million cases a year and it is not LIFE THREATENING.
If this is what I have been feeling its very fast and only last 3-4 seconds usually but happens quite frequently.
Can SVT be that quit onset and off?
My Dr gave me some beta blockers to take, I have not taken them yet. 50mg of toprol (metoprolol) to take one
time daily.
I'm already taking blood pressure meds but he said to take both...WTF won't that make my BP way to low.
My normal reading is 120/65 pulse usually 59-65.
If I remember correctly my pac count was around 100 and my pvc was around 20.
All this is a lot to take in and I'm pretty scared at this point.
So here is my questions.
Who has SVT (PSVT) and how long have you had it?
Did you get ablation?
Have you tried beta blockers for it?
Did it work? How do they work?
Can I exercise with SVT?
Why did the Dr. call me so fast if its not dangerous?
Why did they set me up to have a echo stress test?
Should I be this worried?
Sorry for all this and thanks a ton for all the help, this board has already helped me a ton.
Best Answer
Is your anxiety getting any better? How are you doing with everything? Hoping this finds you doing a little better.
1 Comments
I wonder if I have SVT.. I have bad anxiety panic attacks.. it has ruined my life.. I was convinced I had SvT or some kind of rhythm disturbance.. A lot of times they would happen at night right as im dozing off .. Usually i call it a "build" phase.. where i feel this odd sensation and a panic type feeling and then my heart starts to take off.. But sometimes i feel like the build part is very quick or that my heart just starts flying very fast into a super fast rhythm. I went to the cardiologist a couple years ago.. They gave me an EKG, echo, and holter.. One of these attacks were caught on the holter and the cardiologist said it wasn't svt.. but a panic attack.. Other than that i saw something called incomplete right bundle branch block on my ekg.. i asked him what that was, he said its nothing everything is fine and u have a strong heart.
But I have a feeling that maybe i was misdiagnosed? Maybe i do have SVT.. and the monitor didnt pick it up.. or there was an error.. or that time so happened not to be svt but other times it is? I took a klonopin last night and still got that racing thing.. if it wasn't anxiety then why should that happen on medicine.. I wonder if the lexapro is causing worse symptoms.
But I have a feeling that maybe i was misdiagnosed? Maybe i do have SVT.. and the monitor didnt pick it up.. or there was an error.. or that time so happened not to be svt but other times it is? I took a klonopin last night and still got that racing thing.. if it wasn't anxiety then why should that happen on medicine.. I wonder if the lexapro is causing worse symptoms.
I live in Utah, I had the procedure done at Mckay dee heart institute.
Yeah I'm the same, I was doing exceptional 3 months ago, my anxiety is out of control now, its one of the worst things that could happen to someone with severe anxiety.
No relief from my ablation, they could not get it to trigger so I basically just got a EP study....
Yeah I'm the same, I was doing exceptional 3 months ago, my anxiety is out of control now, its one of the worst things that could happen to someone with severe anxiety.
No relief from my ablation, they could not get it to trigger so I basically just got a EP study....
I hear you anxious! !! I too have suffered with anxiety my whole life and trying to deal with this has put me over the top. . Always on my mind....always scared. I was so active and happy 4 months ago.....now I feel lost and alone with the unknown. Where do you live? Where was your ablation done if I may ask? Did you get any relief?
@Eliza12345 I believe afib is irregular as SVT is regular, they both come from the atria.
I take Lexapro daily and xanax as needed for my GAD.
@Tom_H
I'm still a bit sore, I have been going back to the gym but not pushing as hard as I used to.
Yeah I realized it all and am still at a loss of WTF to do next, I mean what options do I really have????
My pulse is naturally so low that beta-blockers lower it into the 40s and makes me feel like crap, I'm way to damn scared to take any of the arrhythmia medications.
Deal with it? see if it gets worse and try another ablation?
My SVT hit my twice today at the gym, treadmill picked up 190-204 and after coughing and trying to get it to reset if jumped right back down...
This really ***** and is one of the worse things that could happen to someone with extreme anxiety, I'm not sure how to cope with it, scared to go anywere besides the city limits and the basically destorys my life because I love fishing and hiking.....
I take Lexapro daily and xanax as needed for my GAD.
@Tom_H
I'm still a bit sore, I have been going back to the gym but not pushing as hard as I used to.
Yeah I realized it all and am still at a loss of WTF to do next, I mean what options do I really have????
My pulse is naturally so low that beta-blockers lower it into the 40s and makes me feel like crap, I'm way to damn scared to take any of the arrhythmia medications.
Deal with it? see if it gets worse and try another ablation?
My SVT hit my twice today at the gym, treadmill picked up 190-204 and after coughing and trying to get it to reset if jumped right back down...
This really ***** and is one of the worse things that could happen to someone with extreme anxiety, I'm not sure how to cope with it, scared to go anywere besides the city limits and the basically destorys my life because I love fishing and hiking.....
Do you take anything for your GAD? I'm afraid anything could effect the afib bringing it back.........I read your posts and totally relate to your fears and constant anxiety
I'm confused about difference between svt and afib? When in afib one has svt ? I have persistent afib or did before my ablation 3 weeks ago.....after ablation do the symptoms change if they come back as in less or is it all or nothing?
I was just wondering how is your leg(s) feeling after the weekend? Still sore? I recall noticeably limping for about a week after mine. Have you had time to digest what has all gone down, and do you have any idea of your next move? I hope you're feeling better!
It wasn't really that bad, I was awake the whole time but on medication to keep me calm and it was good stuff, after they tried for a without adrenaline and not getting it they added adrenaline and they basically made my heart go crazy with pacs/pvcs, you know when you feel one pvc, its like that but they are way harder feeling in the chest, I couldn't take much more of the adrenaline and then they finally stopped it as I was thinking about telling them to stop.
I don't know what to think right now about the whole thing and I'm not sure were to go from here with my life.
I don't know what to think right now about the whole thing and I'm not sure were to go from here with my life.
Sorry to hear it didn't work out this time. Can you give us the play-by-play of the ablation? It sounds like you were awake the whole time. Was it really uncomfortable when they were pacing you? Did they rev your heart up with adrenaline? Could you feel the pacs/pvcs they were creating while they tried to induce the SVT?
That part of it always sounded nerve wrecking to me. I have SVT (AVNRT) and it's somewhat controlled with medication but I think I'll eventually need an ablation.
That part of it always sounded nerve wrecking to me. I have SVT (AVNRT) and it's somewhat controlled with medication but I think I'll eventually need an ablation.
This whole thing has kinda got me depressed a bit, I lost a lot of hope and determination.
Thanks Tom and Michelle, the Dr really put my heart through the paces trying to get my SVT to start.
Right now I'm not taking any meds and am dealing with it, I have not felt it still (knock on wood) is is possible that I just had some episodes that may not ever return and it fixed itself?
Is there a pill to take just when I have episodes?
On my heart holter, I was told I had a total of 160 SVT beats and 16 beats were the longest run.
While waiting for the staff to come get me for my ablation I told them I was just gonna re-schedule and that I could not wait any longer, the Dr came in and talked with me, he looked at my chart and said there is some SVT runs and its not isolated beats, he said we could always try the ablation or meds and its my choice.
At the time it was happening daily, everytime I sat down I would have a small run of SVT.
After all the tests I have done, what else could it be?
I just hope it fades out and never comes back, but if it does and sticks I will have to do the ablation again I guess.
Right now I'm not taking any meds and am dealing with it, I have not felt it still (knock on wood) is is possible that I just had some episodes that may not ever return and it fixed itself?
Is there a pill to take just when I have episodes?
On my heart holter, I was told I had a total of 160 SVT beats and 16 beats were the longest run.
While waiting for the staff to come get me for my ablation I told them I was just gonna re-schedule and that I could not wait any longer, the Dr came in and talked with me, he looked at my chart and said there is some SVT runs and its not isolated beats, he said we could always try the ablation or meds and its my choice.
At the time it was happening daily, everytime I sat down I would have a small run of SVT.
After all the tests I have done, what else could it be?
I just hope it fades out and never comes back, but if it does and sticks I will have to do the ablation again I guess.
As I indicated above, I suspected this might have been the outcome. Michelle, I and mostly all successful "ablationees" had SVT that runs on and on. Mine was self sustaining, and would never drop out on its own. Consequently, it was easy to antagonize with merely a touch of the catheter.
So, where do you go from here? My recommendation would be to wait for a while and monitor it. Classic SVT will most likely become more frequent as you age. Try some of the different meds available. If one has little effect, try another.
....and remember that most physicians are quick to reach into your pocket to grab as much as they can. Electrophysiology procedures are BIG BUCKS. They get paid almost as much with a failed attempt as they do a successful one, so just be cautious.
Your groin will most likely be a fading soreness over the next couple of weeks. When you take the bandage off today or perhaps tomorrow, you will be amazed to find just a red dot on either side. Walking, especially if they didn't actually do any burning is really the best medicine to get back to 100% quickly.
So, where do you go from here? My recommendation would be to wait for a while and monitor it. Classic SVT will most likely become more frequent as you age. Try some of the different meds available. If one has little effect, try another.
....and remember that most physicians are quick to reach into your pocket to grab as much as they can. Electrophysiology procedures are BIG BUCKS. They get paid almost as much with a failed attempt as they do a successful one, so just be cautious.
Your groin will most likely be a fading soreness over the next couple of weeks. When you take the bandage off today or perhaps tomorrow, you will be amazed to find just a red dot on either side. Walking, especially if they didn't actually do any burning is really the best medicine to get back to 100% quickly.
Sorry you had to wait so long. There must have been an emergency that took presidency Also sorry to hear they were unable to ablate. Unfortunately that can happen. I think you mentioned that your runs were not very long (16 beats was all they caught) and if they aren't that frequent that can happen. I was very active by the time I went to get mine done having weekly episodes that would last hours at times so it only took one try for my EP to get mine going which is obviously key to getting it done. I will say both my cardiologist and EP did not recommend meds because they said they really didn't stop it, only helped to slow it down when it did happen. And anti arrhythmics are too dangerous for svt. So just try and learn the tricks to get it to stop and as you get older if it gets more frequent you can try again. But at least you know what to expect and will not need to be frightened. You made it through and it wasn't nearly as scary as we imagine going in. Rest up and try to remain positive.
Well i'm pretty bummed, went in at 8:30am and got prepared for the ablation, waited and waited until about 1:00pm, I almost left the hospital.
They tried and tried for a couple of hours and could not get the svt to start, I was awake the whole time.
Dr says I could go on meds and we will stay in touch, we will try again if it gets worse.
Glad I did it but also wish I didn't now because it sucked and my groin hurts..
They tried and tried for a couple of hours and could not get the svt to start, I was awake the whole time.
Dr says I could go on meds and we will stay in touch, we will try again if it gets worse.
Glad I did it but also wish I didn't now because it sucked and my groin hurts..
According to your comment that it starts and stops in one beat I would say you did because the ablation is the best way to cure it for good. You will otherwise always having it hanging over your head. Stay strong. The day will be over before you know it. Sending you well wishes. Try to stay calm and centered. It will be fine.
Did I make the right choice in doing this?
I'm kinda freaking out right now.....its almost time for my ablation.
I'm kinda freaking out right now.....its almost time for my ablation.
I wish I could edit my post to add more, sorry for the second response.
My normal pulse is usually in the 50s so a bump to 170-180 is quite the difference for me atleast.
Most people that I talk with have a resting pulse in the 90s so when there SVT jumps into the 200s there is not much difference between me and the other guy except I have a lower pulse to start with in general.
Hopefully that makes sense.
My normal pulse is usually in the 50s so a bump to 170-180 is quite the difference for me atleast.
Most people that I talk with have a resting pulse in the 90s so when there SVT jumps into the 200s there is not much difference between me and the other guy except I have a lower pulse to start with in general.
Hopefully that makes sense.
Thanks Tom, when I was in the E.R. they got it on a EKG.
The Dr told me its on the low end of SVT and that it could go up to 250 and even 300bpm in more sever cases.
The 24 hour heart holter also picked it up and the longest episode was 16 beats on the holter.
Mine seems to come and go like a light switch, I have watched it go from 90 to 170 then like a flash its back to 90.
My ablation is tomorrow and at this time I'm pretty much freaking out, I have never had any kind of surgery before.
The Dr told me its on the low end of SVT and that it could go up to 250 and even 300bpm in more sever cases.
The 24 hour heart holter also picked it up and the longest episode was 16 beats on the holter.
Mine seems to come and go like a light switch, I have watched it go from 90 to 170 then like a flash its back to 90.
My ablation is tomorrow and at this time I'm pretty much freaking out, I have never had any kind of surgery before.
"Will I have a urine catheter in during the procedure? "
It depends on whether you'll be sedated or awake during the procedure, plus how long the procedure will last. As I told you last week, I had a Foley catheter in me when I awoke from my ablation. It was the first time I had ever had one, but it didn't hurt, and I didn't have the urge to go, so I was ok with it. Taking it out was an experience though. It felt like a garden hose was being extracted from me. But the nurse did it quickly like ripping a bandage off, and I was fine. The worse pain of all that I experienced for this procedure was urinating on my own. The catheter messes up your urethra, and until it heals, everything you pee, there is excruciating, burning pain, "the silent scream" I referred to it as. But, it's nothing you can't get beyond.
I was extremely nervous on the morning of mine, even knowing I was going to be put out. I sign the proxy form, and power of attorney over to my wife, got undressed and into the bed. I had the standard IV started (and this is what makes you have to pee later on), and waited. About 5 minutes before I went to the lab, the anesthesiologist came by with a syringe of Vallium. After asking me if I was ready, he injected it into the IV port, and said "see you in the lab". I remember telling my wife that it wasn't working. They pulled up the sides of the bed, I kissed my wife goodbye, I think I told her that I'd see her on the "other side" if I didn't come back, and I was off. Halfway down the hallway, the light above me began to blur. When I turned my head, my vision would lag. Once in the lab, I met all the physicians and techs there. I was able to scoot onto the table where I was secured with some restraints. My arms were propped up so I was very comfortable, and a warm blanket was placed over me. At this point, I was extremely groggy. I recall the electrophysiologist asking if everyone was ready. A mask was placed over my mouth and I was informed that it was only oxygen. I guess they hit my IV port with something because that's the last thing I remember. Modern sedation is wonderful compared to the old anesthesia. Over my life, I had quite a few surgeries from numerous sports injuries, to two hernia surgeries, and a tonsillectomy. The anesthesia used then felt like you consciousness was being pulled from you. I disliked that feeling very much. The new modern anesthesia feels like you've had a little to much to drink, but it happens in about 10 seconds. It's a very pleasant, almost natural way to fall asleep.
If you are nervous and feeling anxious, you need to tell you physician. A requisite of this procedure is that you remain absolutely still. If you're nervous, if you're shaking or trembling, they will not proceed. There was a woman on here a few years ago who could not stop shaking from fear. Her procedure was halted, and rescheduled for another date with an anesthesiologist present. She did fine, and was never seen here again.
Now.... time to be honest with you. I hope they find your SVT. To tell you the truth, I'm not convinced that you have SVT, and I wouldn't be surprised if they can't get anything going. I've read all of your posts, and you've just never expressed the classic effects of SVT. Just above in your post, you write of your pulse as being 170. While 170 is possible, it's on the low end of the SVT range. ......You just never expressed the symptoms, and feeling of SVT to me. Sorry, but that's my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions! Regardless, good luck tomorrow, and when you can, be sure to let us know how you are. Our thoughts are with you!
It depends on whether you'll be sedated or awake during the procedure, plus how long the procedure will last. As I told you last week, I had a Foley catheter in me when I awoke from my ablation. It was the first time I had ever had one, but it didn't hurt, and I didn't have the urge to go, so I was ok with it. Taking it out was an experience though. It felt like a garden hose was being extracted from me. But the nurse did it quickly like ripping a bandage off, and I was fine. The worse pain of all that I experienced for this procedure was urinating on my own. The catheter messes up your urethra, and until it heals, everything you pee, there is excruciating, burning pain, "the silent scream" I referred to it as. But, it's nothing you can't get beyond.
I was extremely nervous on the morning of mine, even knowing I was going to be put out. I sign the proxy form, and power of attorney over to my wife, got undressed and into the bed. I had the standard IV started (and this is what makes you have to pee later on), and waited. About 5 minutes before I went to the lab, the anesthesiologist came by with a syringe of Vallium. After asking me if I was ready, he injected it into the IV port, and said "see you in the lab". I remember telling my wife that it wasn't working. They pulled up the sides of the bed, I kissed my wife goodbye, I think I told her that I'd see her on the "other side" if I didn't come back, and I was off. Halfway down the hallway, the light above me began to blur. When I turned my head, my vision would lag. Once in the lab, I met all the physicians and techs there. I was able to scoot onto the table where I was secured with some restraints. My arms were propped up so I was very comfortable, and a warm blanket was placed over me. At this point, I was extremely groggy. I recall the electrophysiologist asking if everyone was ready. A mask was placed over my mouth and I was informed that it was only oxygen. I guess they hit my IV port with something because that's the last thing I remember. Modern sedation is wonderful compared to the old anesthesia. Over my life, I had quite a few surgeries from numerous sports injuries, to two hernia surgeries, and a tonsillectomy. The anesthesia used then felt like you consciousness was being pulled from you. I disliked that feeling very much. The new modern anesthesia feels like you've had a little to much to drink, but it happens in about 10 seconds. It's a very pleasant, almost natural way to fall asleep.
If you are nervous and feeling anxious, you need to tell you physician. A requisite of this procedure is that you remain absolutely still. If you're nervous, if you're shaking or trembling, they will not proceed. There was a woman on here a few years ago who could not stop shaking from fear. Her procedure was halted, and rescheduled for another date with an anesthesiologist present. She did fine, and was never seen here again.
Now.... time to be honest with you. I hope they find your SVT. To tell you the truth, I'm not convinced that you have SVT, and I wouldn't be surprised if they can't get anything going. I've read all of your posts, and you've just never expressed the classic effects of SVT. Just above in your post, you write of your pulse as being 170. While 170 is possible, it's on the low end of the SVT range. ......You just never expressed the symptoms, and feeling of SVT to me. Sorry, but that's my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions! Regardless, good luck tomorrow, and when you can, be sure to let us know how you are. Our thoughts are with you!
No, it is generally done with light sedation or twilight sedation like they do for colonoscopy. Be sure to tell your doctor that you are nervous and see if they can make sure you are out enough. Twilight sedation isn't general anesthesia so there is not need for a catheter. Though it is a good idea not to eat or drink the night before and even if they offer something to drink afterwards try and hold off because you will have to lay flat for a good 4 or so hours afterwards to let the entry site heal. They go in with a catheter into an artery. I was pretty terrified to do it but in the end it wasn't scary at all to me. I have had 2 full on abdominal surgeries that were way worse. If you want to read about my ablation you can click on my name and read my journal entry but try to not use it as a way to scare yourself more. It really wasn't bad at all.
Best of luck. I will keep you in my prayers for a successful ablation. I know it can be scary but it will be over soon. Take care.
Thank you.
Its getting close.
This Weds the 7th
I hope they find the SVT and stop is.
I remembered a few months ago before I was old I had SVT.
I went to the gym and stepped onto the treadmill, I checked my pulse and it said 170, I thought to myself this treadmill is a POS it can't even read my correct pulse, I checked again and it was in the 70s.
So now I believe the pulse rate on the treadmill LOL
Its getting close.
This Weds the 7th
I hope they find the SVT and stop is.
I remembered a few months ago before I was old I had SVT.
I went to the gym and stepped onto the treadmill, I checked my pulse and it said 170, I thought to myself this treadmill is a POS it can't even read my correct pulse, I checked again and it was in the 70s.
So now I believe the pulse rate on the treadmill LOL
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Also for your peace of mind my cardiologist said it is unheard of for someone to drop dead from anything in the atria. That doesn't mean it can't happen but odds are very slim that it will. Even afib is not an immediate threat. The biggest threat with afib is when a person goes back into normal sinus rhythm there is a chance they may throw a clot and have issues from that. Atrial issues generally are long term issues that threaten heart failure but usually only after an extended period of time meaning years and years with the issue if it is intermittent. A constant rate well into the 200s is a danger if left untreated for days but in a younger heart if any of it is intermittent the heart has plenty of time to recover. Basically the doctor told me that we really don't technically need the atria. I am sure that was just an exaggeration but in terms of our well being they pose little threat to us when things go wrong with them unless the ventricles are involved. But even still a lot of things have to line up for any heart rhythm issue to cause sudden death. It is a lot rarer than you are fearing. Honestly, the stress and anxiety will do you in sooner than any heart issue so it is important you work on that.
In any event, I understand about wanting to be informed but try to use the information to look at things objectively. I know it can be hard when you have anxiety but just try to stop the fear thought train and take deep breaths and calm yourself. This will get easier to do the more you do it. Take care and put some extra focus on your child and less on your heart and see if that helps. Hang in there. It's going to be OK.