Hi all
I have been suffering with random attacks of SVT since around the age of 16 (Now 29). My SVT always exceeds 250 bpm +. It was diagnosed as AVNRT.
Went for an Ablation 2 years back, but nothing could be found on the study, so was signed off and left to take 100mg Flecainide 2x a day. I have had 4 cardiologists examine my ecgs from the events, echo's etc, and all confirmed SVT.
Couple of months back, my usual weird rhythms were back (Not the fast rate) just the constant inconsistent rhythm during the day, if I feel my pulse, its almost like it finds it impossible to keep in time, some will skip, some a longer pause, some PACs, some double up. I took flec at my usual time and it eventually sorted the issue, I was advised to book another app with a cardiologist.
This time came, he took one look over my records and said he saw no evidence of SVT, and instead saw evidence of AF with a fast ventricular rate! All this time, and it looks like we have been looking in the wrong place. I have been referred for another ablation, but this time, he advises we will need to pierce through my heart wall, they will then "Separate" my vessels from the lung, stopping them interfering with my heart.
I'm no doc, but to me this is starting to make sense. My irregular rhythms always seems to match my breathing pattern, eg, if I breathe out, I get skipped beats etc. My first episode at 16 was caused when I took a draw from a cigarette, if I get a bad chest my heart skips for hours.
Questions:
- Any one had an ablation for AF, did it work? The risks seem higher than the SVT procedure
- Has anyone experienced a similar story?
- Does this mean I could have an underlying lung issue? My heart has been deemed healthy otherwise.
Cheers!
Weigh your decisions, think about a second opinion (after all they ablated for SVT only later to tell you it's Afib, I'd want to have two doctors concur before progressing).
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/atrial_fibrillation/pulmonaryvein_ablation.aspx
Breathing in increases your heart rate, breathing out decreases it. The phenomenon is known as Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia, it is most noticeable in children and adolescents, but you're not too far from your teens after all. I guess there's a chance that the reduced heart rate while breathing out gives the cause of the fast rhythm a chance to discharge quicker than the heart's pacemaker.