svt/tachycardia

[ladyvic]

Three days ago I was sitting at the computer and in a split second my heart started beating very fast and hard. I went over to my neighbors to ask her if my pulse felt fast and she called 911. They got here and put me on a 12 lead monitor. My blood pressure was a bit high but okay but my pulse was at 230 bpm at rest. They drove me to the hospital and after 18 mg of adenosine it finally fell to 115. It has been a bit high ever since. I am on xanax(.5 once a day) for anxiety. My question is could this high and constant of a pulse be caused by anxiety? I have had a high pulse of 120 before but never this high. My cardiologist wants to see me, even though my heart was okay 2 years ago. But my gp says it;s only a panic attack. Any ideas?
Thanks vickie

[CharityP]

I was just diagnosed with SVT a couple of weeks ago, after catching an episode on an event monitor. What you experienced sounds a lot like SVT to me.  When you were hooked up to the EKG, they didn't say what rhythm you were in?  Was it normal sinus rhythm or narrow complex tachycardia such as SVT?  Did you shake during and after your episode?  I shake horribly with mine, and my heart rate only goes to about 150.  

[gromo6372]

It does sound like SVT to me as well. I had an episode back in January 2007. I'm on metoprolol now becuase it slows the heart down and keeps it beating normal, and lowers my blood pressure.

I had stress test, ekg and blood test all come back normal.

You should see a cardiologist though so they can give you complete checkup of your heart.

[rmaier14]

I would say it sounds like svt as well.  I think I was born with it because I have had episodes as far back as I can remember.  The one thing that gets me is how many doctors seem to resort to drugs right away.  I have dealt with mine perfectly well after seeing a young cardiologist when I was about 12.  He taught me to stop my racing heart immediately using a proceedure which is dunking your face into a bowl full of water and ice up to your ears.  I think everyone should try this because my heart races well over 200 beats per minute and it works for me.  

[SillyHeart]

It sounds like SVT rather than anxiety.  Anxiety causes a gradual increase in heart rate and won't cause a rate of 240 which is very high.  SVT starts very suddenly and can cause a very high rate.

[isukathis]

Hello ladyvic,

It sounds like SVT to me. I have had SVT for over 15 years now (1 or 2 episodes a year). My heart was beating at 240 the last time and, like you had 2 shots of Adenosine to revert it back to normal. I have has several stress tests and all results have been a-o-k. I am a runner and have been for the last 10 years. I have never smoked and consider myself in very good health.

My heart specialist advised me to consider having a catheter ablation but I have since decided to put that on hold. I typically drink 3-4 cups of tea each day and think that the caffeine may be triggering the SVT. So far its been about a month and so far so good.

I have been told that I was more than likely born with this condition which is basically one of my electrical impulses going off on its own causing the SVT.

I know how you must feel. My last episode at 240 really scared me but I have been told by my specialist that this will not kill me.

If I do however have another episode without the caffeine I will consider having the ablation procedure.

Hope this helps!!!

Paul

[sugarpea013]

Hey there, I have suffered before from panic attacks/anxiety and know for sure they can get my heart going. If they hooked you up to an EKG machine and it showed purely a sinus tachycardia than most likely it was from stress. However I was recently diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia so I know that has something to do with my fast heart rate. I hope you are able to find some answers! Best of luck!