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Avatar universal

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?
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Avatar universal
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
Helpful - 0
61536 tn?1340698163
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.
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Avatar universal
"my svt was bad.. it was triggered everytime i ate.. "

Interesting, I often have tachycardia after eating a fatty meal. It sure annoys me. If I eat a light meal (especially something that's high in fiber), I don't have a problem with it.

Does anyone have a similiar problem?
Helpful - 0
84483 tn?1289937937

I'm doing well, hope you are too. I think from what I remember around 30% of all SVTs ( including AVNRT, AVRT) are initiated/triggered by a PVC. As always I'm not a MD.
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Avatar universal
Michelle.. my svt was bad.. it was triggered everytime i ate.. So i wouldnt eat out of fear.. i got down to under 90 lbs, so it was nessecary for me. But also you have to keep in mind, yes SVT is not life threatening in most cases, but if you are ever diagnosed with coronary artery disease, it can become life threatening. Im a big advocate for ablation in most cases of svt (except afib) because the risk to benefit ratio heavily favors having the ablation, and it eliminates the problem rather than cover it up with beta blockers, but it really is a personal choice.

Jeff.. sorry im not tickertock, but your question was of interest to me too.. i had AVNRT type svt.. and it was always caused by a premature beat (pvc or pac). This is very typical of AVNRT, and avnrt is a very common type of svt, so i would gather it would be higher than 20 % but im not sure on the exact numbers :)
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Avatar universal
Tickertock,

I was talking to someone the other day about PVC initiated SVT and I remember you knew quite a bit about this.  In particular, do you recall what percentage of SVT are initiated by a PVC? I seem to remember it was something like 20%.

Hope you are doing well.

Jeff
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