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Recurrent SVT
Firstly, thank you for providing this service and your expertise.
I am a 31 year old male, with recurrent SVT. I have had 3 RF Ablations in 4 years yet I have had 2 episodes since my last surgery. I have only had 10 episodes, and aside from the first 2, I've always gone to the ER. Also, aside from my first ER visit where Adenosine worked, Electro-cardiovertion 150 J, was needed.
I've had a Echo, and the first Ablation I had they went in through my neck (Angiogram?), but I've had very little feed back as to what my "condition/problem" is, aside from Recurrent SVT or A-typical SVT.
I also have severe anxiety, but am using medication for it, and handle it quite well. However I'm aware of its impact on my Hearts rhythm, and overall health. I have been unable to work or exercise for the past 2 yrs yet I do odd jobs.
My first episode happened 6 years ago, at which time I quit smoking cigarettes yet I still smoke Marijuana daily. Since my last episode I have had nearly constant (10-30 times a minute) PVC or PAC's (heart flutter) when I am stressed or physically active. I also have 2 abscessed wisdom teeth that due to my anxiety and finances have been unable to get surgery for yet.
My question, is "recurrent SVT" a form of heart disease, or a probable symptom of something else like CAD? I know that is difficult to answer with the info I've given, but I'm not sure if I should pursue a diagnosis or further testing from my EP or if Recurrent SVT is basically considered a benign nuisance.
& are my risks of Myocardial Infarction greater, less or unknown by my EP study?
I am a 31 year old male, with recurrent SVT. I have had 3 RF Ablations in 4 years yet I have had 2 episodes since my last surgery. I have only had 10 episodes, and aside from the first 2, I've always gone to the ER. Also, aside from my first ER visit where Adenosine worked, Electro-cardiovertion 150 J, was needed.
I've had a Echo, and the first Ablation I had they went in through my neck (Angiogram?), but I've had very little feed back as to what my "condition/problem" is, aside from Recurrent SVT or A-typical SVT.
I also have severe anxiety, but am using medication for it, and handle it quite well. However I'm aware of its impact on my Hearts rhythm, and overall health. I have been unable to work or exercise for the past 2 yrs yet I do odd jobs.
My first episode happened 6 years ago, at which time I quit smoking cigarettes yet I still smoke Marijuana daily. Since my last episode I have had nearly constant (10-30 times a minute) PVC or PAC's (heart flutter) when I am stressed or physically active. I also have 2 abscessed wisdom teeth that due to my anxiety and finances have been unable to get surgery for yet.
My question, is "recurrent SVT" a form of heart disease, or a probable symptom of something else like CAD? I know that is difficult to answer with the info I've given, but I'm not sure if I should pursue a diagnosis or further testing from my EP or if Recurrent SVT is basically considered a benign nuisance.
& are my risks of Myocardial Infarction greater, less or unknown by my EP study?
Tickertock and Anacyde; Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but do I understand then that you both just have regular tachycardia, and NOT svt? I'm confused, so I'm sorry if it sounds dumb. I'm just trying to figure out if I have the same thing as you. I was told if it was just Sinus Tachycardia, it is ok, but if it is SVT, it is not ok. Do you guys know if ST and SVT can be misdiagnosed on an EKG strip?
collegegirl143, thank you for sharing your story with me. As this is new to me, I guess I will just have to weigh my options and maybe see where this all goes. I know they do want to run some blood work to make sure that I don't have anything wrong, like hypoglycemic, or thyroid that is bringing this on. Obviously mine is not nearly as severe as yours was, but if it was a daily occurence, you bet I would be thinking of the ep study, but right now I don't think I need to go that route just yet. I am definetely changing my lifestyle though. It kind of gives you a wake up call.
One other quick question for you guys if you don't mind, I've never really bothered to notice before now, but when I first wake up, my hr can be around 140, and then go back down, and then during the day when I am walking around doing things, my hr is around 120 to 130, then goes back to 100. I don't even notice it, no symptoms, so is this an ok rhythm? Since this holter I've been super aware of my heart. Driving me nuts. Thanks guys, Michelle
collegegirl143, thank you for sharing your story with me. As this is new to me, I guess I will just have to weigh my options and maybe see where this all goes. I know they do want to run some blood work to make sure that I don't have anything wrong, like hypoglycemic, or thyroid that is bringing this on. Obviously mine is not nearly as severe as yours was, but if it was a daily occurence, you bet I would be thinking of the ep study, but right now I don't think I need to go that route just yet. I am definetely changing my lifestyle though. It kind of gives you a wake up call.
One other quick question for you guys if you don't mind, I've never really bothered to notice before now, but when I first wake up, my hr can be around 140, and then go back down, and then during the day when I am walking around doing things, my hr is around 120 to 130, then goes back to 100. I don't even notice it, no symptoms, so is this an ok rhythm? Since this holter I've been super aware of my heart. Driving me nuts. Thanks guys, Michelle
Interestingly, yes. My doctors sort of just dismiss it and say, "Good, eat healthy!" lol But yeah, I have the same issues. Fatty or high sugar foods trigger me big time.
in a short answer, yes they can be misdiagnosed, but it depends on the setting.. on an EKG any rate above 160 is automatically stated to be SVT. It takes a trained eye to look at the waves and tell if its a normal sinus pattern or if its actually abnormal.
My sister used to smoke pot. She said it calmed her anxiety some but it also increased her palpitations dramatically. I can't even imagine that tradeoff being worth it, since the palps trip me out so much. I don't know if it might be affecting you the same way, but I thought I'd weigh in with what I know.
anacyde, I tried to ask you a question in a previous post, but I don't think you saw it. I noticed you have pac's pvc's and psvt. Can you tell me how you were diagnosed, and what they did for you? I'm gathering from what I read you haven't done an ablation, what about an EP study? I have been plagued with pac's and pvc's for 6 years, but just recently started getting a fast pulse, which I think is from the anxiety of the darn skips, but my Dr. said SVT, read below please.
collegegirl, thank you for advice. I don't know if I warrant an ep study or ablation, since I can get my heart rate down by myself, and it's triggered by my emotions,(adrenaline). I have anxiety/panic attacks, and they only occur when I have to do something I am afraid to do. And when I exercise hard, but then I have an anxiety attack, because I hate feeling my heart rate go up, so I freak out and it sets it off. When I first wake up in the morning it can go to 180, for a minute, and then slowly goes down. I still need to see a Cardiologist, but they only recorded 2 brief episodes of svt, rate 154, for a run of 6 beats. That's the only time it's been recorded, so I wonder if I just have regular sinus tach, and it was misdiagnosed, I don't know how easy it is to misdiagnose or not. Anyways, how bad was your svt to get an ablation done? Thanks, Michelle
collegegirl, thank you for advice. I don't know if I warrant an ep study or ablation, since I can get my heart rate down by myself, and it's triggered by my emotions,(adrenaline). I have anxiety/panic attacks, and they only occur when I have to do something I am afraid to do. And when I exercise hard, but then I have an anxiety attack, because I hate feeling my heart rate go up, so I freak out and it sets it off. When I first wake up in the morning it can go to 180, for a minute, and then slowly goes down. I still need to see a Cardiologist, but they only recorded 2 brief episodes of svt, rate 154, for a run of 6 beats. That's the only time it's been recorded, so I wonder if I just have regular sinus tach, and it was misdiagnosed, I don't know how easy it is to misdiagnose or not. Anyways, how bad was your svt to get an ablation done? Thanks, Michelle
I had two EPS' and ablations. As I recall, each procedure was approximately $33,000. YIKES!! Fortunately, I had health insurance to help with the expenses.
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