rapid beats etc.

[LynnSB]

For 20 yrs. I've been plagued with heart palpitations and numerous EKGs,stress tests,event monitors have found nothing dangerous -- runs of 3 PVCs, brief runs of tach, etc. Many years ago,I had dailyruns of tach with my heart going up to near 200. It felt like a switch turned on my fast heartbeat. I learned that plunging my face into cold water would usually stop it.(at the time i was told I had MVP.Later I was told I didn't and it sounded like SVT).Oddly, the prolonged tach went away about 10yrs.ago.My cardiologist says it didn't really.the quick runs of tach i have now are probably related.He thinks I probably have an accessory pathway (said it is is hard to tell;at first thought I had WPW but other tests looked ok)but my heart has been so well checked out and is structurally normal he doesnt think i need an EP study or ablation but will refer me if I insist.My internist says don't do it.It is invasive and you have nothing life threatening.questions:1.can you have SVT that goes dormat for a long time?2.I've had runs(about 1 a year)of extremely fast,irregular beats lasting maybe 20 to 30 seconds,never caught on anything.I think it is a-fib.I read a-fib,if you have SVT,can go into v-fib,rarely. True? 3.Why oh why would certain ARM movements precipitate irregular beats? I was doing yoga, lying on the floor, and calmly breathing. EVERY TIME i lifted my arms up over my head, I'd get a fun of flip flop beats.Sometimes reaching up or down does it. Explanation? 4.I had a thallium stress test last fall. perfectly normal.I'm near 50,female. does that show heart structure?EF?thanks

[Ianna]

Hi,
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-On no.3- My guess is that the stomach or esophaegus or diaphragm and or the bowels irritate the tissue surrounding the heart; I have this 'problem' for years and years. It's much more worse if you've just eaten (a large meal) or have a stomach filled with gas...-
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Be well  -  *Ianna*

[LynnSB]

THANK YOU for noticing the doc didn't answer my question. In fact, he didn't answer any of them, which I repost below in case anyone else visiting might profer an answer.

I really do appreciate this great service but it is disappointing to ask questions and have them ignored by the physician.

My still unanswered questions, once again:

1.can you have SVT that goes dormat for a long time?

2.I've had runs(about 1 a year)of extremely fast,irregular beats lasting maybe 20 to 30 seconds,never caught on anything.I think it is a-fib.I read a-fib,if you have SVT,can go into v-fib,rarely. True?

3.Why oh why would certain ARM movements precipitate irregular beats? I was doing yoga, lying on the floor, and calmly breathing. EVERY TIME i lifted my arms up over my head, I'd get a fun of flip flop beats.Sometimes reaching up or down does it. Explanation?

4.I had a thallium stress test last fall. perfectly normal.I'm near 50,female. does that show heart structure?EF?thanks

[gpw006]

I noticed the doctor ignored your question about why you get arrhythmia when you raise your arms over your head. I get the exact same thing ! I noticed it the first time when I was painting a room. Each time I took the roller above my head I would get wicked PVC's. It must have something to do with the change in blood pressure that occurs . The veins in your arms drain blood much more efficiently when you raise them. Why this causes arrhythmia is an excellent question and I wish the good doctor would have answered this. He likely does not know the answer either.

[Linda123]

Dear Lynn
Your problems sound very much like my own - I would be very interested to learn of your progress.
Best Wishes, Linda

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear LynnSB,

Sorry to hear about your palpitations. The history you describe states that you have a structurally normal heart which places you at low risk.  I think that seeing an electrophysiologist is a great idea. The type of rhythm disturbances you are experiencing needs to be further characterized. This can be accomplished by wearing a holter monitor or an event monitor which can record the heart's electrical activity for up to a month. You have been experiencing SVT, however it would be good to know whether or not you are also experiencing atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter as well.The rhythm disturbances you describe do not sound life threatening. Atrial fibrillation and SVT do not degenerate into ventricular fibrillation.

There is catheter based therapy used to treat SVT, which  allows for the discontinuation of medical therapy. Thus, seeing an electrophysiologist is an excellent idea to determine if you are a candidate for this treatment. I would recommend visiting our website at www.ccf.org to learn more about catheter based treatment for SVT. Also, schedule an appointment with an electrophysiologist at a large university based medical center.
Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks for your question,

CCF-MD-KE