What to expect post-op SVT ablation surgery

[kybuddha]

OK, I am gettin ready to have ablation surgery for SVT. What should I expect post-op? I am seriously freaking out about this. I have never had SVT until 9 months ago when I took Sudafed. My doctor says that I was born with SVT and that the Sudafed just triggered it. Does anyone have any words of wisdom?

[syl07]

hi, could you pkease share what your gp taught to slow down your heart?
i have svt once or twice a year, due to wpw, im 40 years old and have a 3 year old son, i struggled with endometrioses, had 2 operations to remove it and took us around 10 years to get pregnant. Today i was told by a doctor that if i dont do an ablation i may "drop dead" that were his own words.
i am scared as i dont want to leave my son without a mum but i do want to hear a second opinion, i have been to other cardiologists before who told me i could control the condition taking medication, they prescribed propanolol and didnt reccommend any surgeries.
the doctor i saw today said that i cant control the condition with medication...
does anyone has any thoughts or any story to share?
it is a hard decision having to chose between the surgery or living with a racing heart...
thanks

[Sh8069]

There's two techniques. The first is beating down like your pushing a baby out. That works really well I've found. The second is the vagal maneuver. This is where you gently massage the artery in the right side of the neck.

[Sh8069]

Sorry should read * bearing down

[porcupine10]

I know this is a old post but if you see this. I have had episodes of svt for 35 years ever since I was 12. For me it has become worse and recently had it documented. Some ways to calm it down is try to make yourself throw up or dunk your head in ice cold water. I have been just put on medicine and seems to helo. Get a second opinion on the surgery. The Dr could just be surgery happy and put another notch in his belt.

[Daneen2949]

I really recommend to have a Cardiac Ablation. In 2009, I started having SVT's about once every 2-3 weeks. Later, it became worse and I had the episodes 2-3 times a week. In 2010, I was also diagnosed with AF and I have pulmonary embolism. Since I did not have health insurance at the moment, I wasn't able to get the Cardiac Ablation done right away and I spent 2 years with beta blockers that didn't help much. On 2012, I finally had my cardiac ablation done and it worked! The SVT's and AF were gone, but I ended up having PVC's very regularly but I was able to live a normal life. Then, in 2016 I got pregnant and the PVC's became worse and one day, I stated feeling the same symptoms of SVT, but this time the episodes lasted less, not more than 30 minutes. I was on Sotalol 25 mg a day during my pregnancy, but when I had my baby, I wasn't able to take that medicine anymore because I am nursing. My doctor gave me metoprolol 25mg 12.5mg twice a day, but it did't work well. I was so worried because I was feeling horrible almost everyday and I wasn't able to look after my baby well. So I went to see my electrophisiologist and I told him about my symptoms. He asked me if I wanted to wear a monitor holder (for the 1000th time!) for 30 days to see what type of arrhythmia I was having, or if I wanted to go for another cardiac ablation. I was very scared to have it again because I was thinking "what if I die? What is going to happen to my baby? He is only 5 months old." But at the end I didn't another option and I said yes to the cardiac ablation. I had it done on the 15th of February of 2017, 2 days ago, and it is unbelievable. I feel great! After the Doctor finished ablating my heart, I actually feel great. I was able to breath well and I wasn't feeling the palpitations on my chest and neck anymore. 2 days after, my heart feel great (it's actually  regular!) and my blood presure is good as well. I hope my heart continues working the same way in the next days and I don't have any complications. So far, in my case, the cardiac ablation was successful. My doctor said that he got rid of the SVT and that he tried to fix the PVC's but that if I continue having the PVC's will not happen so often and I can treat them with Sotalol. So far, I haven't feel SVT's. In regards to nursing, the doctor and nurses told me not to give breast milk to my baby for 48 hours because all the medications they gave me during the procedure, that's it. I really recommend this procedure.

[Fetter]

I had SVT about 3 yrs back. My heart would go up to 200+ beats per minute and i was having it so frequently like 2-3 times a week. It usually lasted really long each time. My GP taught me a few ways to try to slow down my heart, and it worked most of the time, I only had to go to the ER to get adenosine injection and it was fine after that.

I went for the ablation surgery about 1-2 months after i got diagnosed with SVT. The op lasted about 2-3 hours i think. I was conscious and and it was extremely successful. I didnt have problems with bruising of the groin area, just slight discomfort. I recovered quickly from the op, my movements werent that limited as well. 3 years later I havent experience any similar symptoms.

My advice would be to get an experienced doctor who has done many ablation surgeries before to minimise the risks! But definitely do consider the ablation surgery if you get fast heartbeats very frequently like i do!

[NRLBD]

Was any type of anesthesia used? Mine took 2-3 hours and I really had a hard time with the pain of the prodding because no anesthesia was used. Was not able to ablate bec could not map the source of the problem. So disappointing to have gone thru all of that in vain. Recommendations for my second experience soon?

[feelthefear]

bloody hell that's terrible !!! ive had 3 Ablations and they don't work still in AF AND FAST heart rate. messed up or what!!!

[feelthefear]

I read yr post with interest, had a Ablation 2 wks ago and its my 3rd and yes!! its made things a whole lot worse. Heart rate with AF rarely went above 90 now 156 and climbing, breathless. wish I never had it. Had 18 cardio versions and they have always worked for me. wish I could turn back clock, Ablations aren't half what they are cracked up to be. Last resort for tired drs I think!!!

[feelthefear]

Ive had 3 Ablations, 18 cardioversions and still AF AND the rest keep coming back. But if yr one of the lucky ones yr first Ablation wil be successful. Good luck

[feelthefear]

they give you a strong sedative you wont remember a thing. Good luck