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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?
I've found it difficult to discuss marijuana use with doctors or Cardiologists, for the obvious reasons. Its like telling your mechanic that you pour sand in your engine once in a while, but your hopeful it wont cause serious damage.
However to the contrary of my suspicion, most Doctors don't seem to think its that harmful. With that said, and like collegegirl143 mentioned, there has been relatively little research done on the long term effects I would assume. I would also think the number of Doctors or Cardiologist who use Marijuana chronically aren't that great (thank god). Also since its not always easy to discuss, a good portion of patients likely deny or don't advise their doctors about usage.
I've never been prescribed anything, and I've only seen my EP Cardiologist in pre and post surgery appointments. I did visit a Cardiologist before I had SVT episodes, and only because of frequent PVC's or PAC's. I'm really not sure which I experience, or if I get both. Some feel like I'm a split second away from dropping dead, and others I hardly notice. I believe due to the steady jolts of adrenaline I get with the PAC/PVC's effect my brain chemistry, Hormones, & behavior, which is either a cause in part or whole of my Anxiety, or a result it. Either way, its a vicious circle that I'm trying to get out of, and yet doing all the wrong things.
I figured if I was as straight forward as possible I might get a wake up call I actually answer. I know I'm a poster boy for Heart disease ignorance in ways, but I'm far from the worst. I avoid saturated fat and cholesterol as much as possible. I haven't had my Cholesterol checked, and I've only worn a Holter monitor after my ablations.
I also should have mentioned that my EP told me I fine after every ECG/EKG I've had. Yet I got a SVT episode 2 weeks after my 2'nd post op appointment/EKG. I'm not the greatest at talking with doctors in terms of getting a complete understanding of whats going on. I feel guilty about asking, since my knowing only serves to ease my mind. But I'm going to get an appointment soon and try to figure out if theres anything to worry about.
Thanks for the comments.
However to the contrary of my suspicion, most Doctors don't seem to think its that harmful. With that said, and like collegegirl143 mentioned, there has been relatively little research done on the long term effects I would assume. I would also think the number of Doctors or Cardiologist who use Marijuana chronically aren't that great (thank god). Also since its not always easy to discuss, a good portion of patients likely deny or don't advise their doctors about usage.
I've never been prescribed anything, and I've only seen my EP Cardiologist in pre and post surgery appointments. I did visit a Cardiologist before I had SVT episodes, and only because of frequent PVC's or PAC's. I'm really not sure which I experience, or if I get both. Some feel like I'm a split second away from dropping dead, and others I hardly notice. I believe due to the steady jolts of adrenaline I get with the PAC/PVC's effect my brain chemistry, Hormones, & behavior, which is either a cause in part or whole of my Anxiety, or a result it. Either way, its a vicious circle that I'm trying to get out of, and yet doing all the wrong things.
I figured if I was as straight forward as possible I might get a wake up call I actually answer. I know I'm a poster boy for Heart disease ignorance in ways, but I'm far from the worst. I avoid saturated fat and cholesterol as much as possible. I haven't had my Cholesterol checked, and I've only worn a Holter monitor after my ablations.
I also should have mentioned that my EP told me I fine after every ECG/EKG I've had. Yet I got a SVT episode 2 weeks after my 2'nd post op appointment/EKG. I'm not the greatest at talking with doctors in terms of getting a complete understanding of whats going on. I feel guilty about asking, since my knowing only serves to ease my mind. But I'm going to get an appointment soon and try to figure out if theres anything to worry about.
Thanks for the comments.
I never did smoke cigs, but I still have a few beers and smoked weed very occasionally while in high school, last time I smoked ganja(marijuana) I was 17 years old , I'll be 42, 2 weeks from tomorrow. I always suffered from tachycardia and occasional prolonged episodes of PVCs. I remember that is the one reason I just had to stop smoking weed with my friends , it would just make my heart speed up to the 140s to 150s after a few puffs, trust me anyone with heart rhythms problems, marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes should be a no, no, in my humble opinion. I can drink a few beers now and dont really have a problem with tachycardia or PVCs , it is probably because I take atenolol for the palps. Maybe you should lay off the weed and see if it makes a difference, it might take a few days or weeks to notice the change. Good luck.
Michelle.. no idea.. but whatever it is.. its worth it if you have a treatable kind of arrhythmia.
Playdoh.. i had svt to, mine was treated with ablation.. but i know what you mean when you say your heart rate is extremely sensative to your emotions. mine is too. My EP told me this has nothing to do with the SVT, its a sensativity to adrenaline. I think beta blockers might help, but it doesnt bother me enough to find out.. This sensativity to adrenaline though is what triggered my palpitations and in turn my svt. Maybe you can try treating that with a beta blocker and by proxy help reduce your svt episodes.
Playdoh.. i had svt to, mine was treated with ablation.. but i know what you mean when you say your heart rate is extremely sensative to your emotions. mine is too. My EP told me this has nothing to do with the SVT, its a sensativity to adrenaline. I think beta blockers might help, but it doesnt bother me enough to find out.. This sensativity to adrenaline though is what triggered my palpitations and in turn my svt. Maybe you can try treating that with a beta blocker and by proxy help reduce your svt episodes.
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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