PSVT

[Bodstrip]

I'm 16yrs old and continually have attacks of PSVT. I have been having them for about 2 years now and have seen several cardiologists. Everytime I go to hospital they tell me I have had an attack of PSVT but it has resolved. They tend to resolve as soon as I lay down however, the chest pain and breathlessness takes a while to subside. Doctors are unable to catch the rhythm on an ECG or monitor however, first responders easily catch the symptoms. I wonder if I could have any other problem I just need this to be solved.
My symptoms include:
Racing pulse
Pounding sensation
Breathlessness
Difficulty to speak/concentrate
General Weakness
Dialated eyes
Chest pain

What does this seem like?

[MichelleP_3811]

When our hearts beat crazy fast it can be a little scary but in general they aren't a threat to you immediate health.  It is generally thought that most tachycardias from the atria will not trigger sudden death and if you can resolve the tachycardia in a reasonable amount of time it should not affect your heart in the long run but having 2-3 episodes a week you may want to consider having an ablation to correct the issue.  Have you discussed this with the cardiologist?  Getting a 30 event monitor to catch it is the first step then the doctor can recommend an ablation.  You don't have to continue to live with this.  Until the ablation though just try and stay calm and lay down as it seems to help your episodes stop.  Hold your breath and bear down like straining to go to the bathroom may be another way for you to get it to stop sooner.  But do go back and see the doctor to get this documented officially.  

[tom_h]

Yes, you need a 30 day monitor, not a Holter.  I'm currently on day 30 of 30.  I've gotten some great recording of the things I'm experiencing that a Holter wouldn't see because of the relativel brief time it worn.  The 30 day is a simple 4 pad electrode device.  It will auto record or you can press a button.  The device has a cell phone that will send the recording immediately to the lab for analysis.

[Bodstrip]

Thank you for the reassurance. They happen at least every 2 weeks and sometimes 3 times a week.
The only problem I have now is that they seem to be affecting me differently in the fact that I can no longer keep calm. I seem to panic wjich is odd because I should be used to them. My body just goes into shock.Is this normal?

[Headling]

Have you seen an electrophysiologist, which is a hearth rhythm doctor? As the others stated, you should wear an event monitor which is usually 30 days.

[MichelleP_3811]

If this tachycardia starts and stops in what feels like one beat then it is classic reentry svt or psvt.  They have 30 day monitors they can give you to catch it.  I had it for 40 years before I finally had it ablated.  How often do you have it?  It's good laying down helps it to stop.  Do that on your own.  You can also hold your breath and bear down and strain like when you need to go to the bathroom.  Or drink a cold glass of water.  How often do you have the episodes?  I was having them every week or so and so I decided to get mine ablated. It's a fairly easy procedure but you may be somewhat awake for it.  I was scared to do it but it turned out to be a piece of cake.  You can click my name and read my journal entry if you'd like.  In any event, there is no way to stop it from happening but try to avoid caffeine, sugar and carbohydrates and anything that upsets the stomach.  Also make sure you stay well hydrated.  At some point you may want to consider having an ablation to get it corrected for good.  You may still have some residual premature beats afterwards but at your young age they could totally go away.  For now though just try and do your best to sort out how to stop the episodes as quickly as possible to keep the wear and tear on the heart to a minimum.  In an otherwise healthy heart the issue is more of a nuisance than a major health threat but as I said, as you get older you may want to consider and ablation for the long term health of the heart to keep it from getting worn out by the episodes.  But you aren't in any immediate threat.  And as for your question, all the symptoms you mention are part of an psvt episode.  Take care.