Aa
SVT/AVNRT
about a year ago i started having a very fast heart rhythem, about 220 beats per minute. my doctor tried a monitor, but we can never catch it because it only happens once every few months. When this happens, i usually jump in the car as fast as i can to make it to the ER, but it usually goes away to quick (about 10 minutes). I panic, i feel like my heart is just going to give out. but after its all over, i sit with anxiety thinking its going to happen again right away. Mind you the anxiety only last a couple days till i start to feel normal again. I have a family to support so i can't let anxiety stop me from going to work or doing my normal every day stuff (although sometimes it comes close to getting the better of me). but my question is this, Can this Kill me? Can my heart just give out from working so hard? I feel like when it happens, i have to walk around really fast or something. I feel like at any second i could just drop dead. Its not a comforting feeling at all. So Can this happen?
This discussion is related to AVNRT, SVT and Acute Anxiety.
This discussion is related to AVNRT, SVT and Acute Anxiety.
There are plenty of us here who completely understand what it's like to live with it. We're always here!
Thank you for your reply, yes I see my cardiologist in a couple of weeks, I do hope a second ablation cures my problem in the meantime I am on beta blocker but it makes me feel lousy. The sooner I can get this done the better you know, and I'm so glad I found this forum cause I don't feel that anyone understands the struggle.
I'm sorry that your symptoms have returned. I have not seen BTeam6182 on here, so you may not get a reply. My recommendation to you would be for you to see your cardiologist and get the ball rolling. It is very possible that you may need a second procedure done. This happens occasionally.
Hello, I know it's been a while since you wrote about your AVNRT, I just came across this board and I too have been diagnosed with this condition. I had a ablation last March and was told they got it all and the chances of it returning were like 1%. Well last week my symptoms returned and I am once again terrified and stressed. How are you doing? Did you get ablation do done?
You say this is only every few months???
I (me) would not take the drugs.
I (me) would not get an ablation either.
I used to get them about the same frequency as you. I dealt with that (in denial) for years. Then I started running and was getting it every other day (while running).
Chances are: it's not going to kill you. I'd bet you have a better chance of dying (or killing somebody else) in a car wreck while driving like a maniac on your way to the ER.
First - learn some Vagal maneuvers to control it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AV_nodal_reentrant_tachycardia#Vagal_maneuvers
Next listen to Tom. Forget the anxiety/panic malarky. Deal with the issue. Ablation is expensive and I think, that expense should be considered. You will spend your maximum out of pocket (> deductible) if you get it. Again, I would not do anything about it if it's a once a quarter episode.
I (me) would not take the drugs.
I (me) would not get an ablation either.
I used to get them about the same frequency as you. I dealt with that (in denial) for years. Then I started running and was getting it every other day (while running).
Chances are: it's not going to kill you. I'd bet you have a better chance of dying (or killing somebody else) in a car wreck while driving like a maniac on your way to the ER.
First - learn some Vagal maneuvers to control it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AV_nodal_reentrant_tachycardia#Vagal_maneuvers
Next listen to Tom. Forget the anxiety/panic malarky. Deal with the issue. Ablation is expensive and I think, that expense should be considered. You will spend your maximum out of pocket (> deductible) if you get it. Again, I would not do anything about it if it's a once a quarter episode.
I messages you with details of my procedure. I was back to work on the fifth day following mine. Good luck. Always here if you have questions.
Thank you michelle! that was comforting. made me feel better about things. I'm glad yours was such a breeze. It would be nice to just get rid of the rappid heart beat all together. and if this is the key. i will def talk it over with my Lauren and see what she says. I'm leaning toward it for sure. I appreciate you taking time to talk. All of you have really helped me tremendously.
Maybe because I grew up with it and knew it would always stop I was never afraid of my svt but I was absolutely terrified to do the ablation but it turned out to really be a piece of cake. I was kicking myself a bit for fretting so much. If you want to read about mine just click my name and read my journal entry. I was actually awake for the whole thing and wasn't really bothered by it a bit. The toughest part was when they did the burning but they give you some good meds so you won't feel it and a lot of people fall asleep. You can always ask for more meds if you start to feel too uncomfortable but I was in and out the same day. The hardest part for me was laying for 4 hours afterwards because of my bad back. But the ablation wasn't a breeze compared to 2 previous abdominal surgeries I have had. There is a possibility though that you may notice an increase in ectopic beat activity afterwards for a few months or so. They do rev up your heart and for some reason the ectopic beats (pacs and pvcs) can get triggered but they should ease up with time and the healing of the heart. I only mention it because you will like feel all sorts of odd things afterwards but it isn't really anything to be too concerned over. Anyways it is a big decision so take your time and do it when it feels right. We are always here if you have any questions.
I went to the heart doctor today, he put me on diltiazem. twice a day 60mg. hopefully that helps it slow my heart the next time i have an episode. but he also recomended that i get the ablation. i'm not all that excited about getting it done, but if its nessecary, i will do so. how is the ablation? is it a tough thing to go through? how long will i be out of commission for? i'm nervous to get it.
I think I'm the president of the AVRT (AV reciprocating tachycardia) fan club here on the formum. About 30% of the SVT's are AVRT, and which is what I had from age 6 to age 59. Both exhibit the same symptoms so when you think you have one type, you really could have the other type. Wolff-Parkinson-White is a variety of AVRT. My symptoms first occured in 1957, long before the high tech procedures of today. I learned to live with it all my life, competing in various sports, and raising a family. I learned to convert it myself when I was first hospitalized at 6, so consequently it kept me out the ER akk of my life. It wasn't until my cardiologist saw an event from my 30 day monitor that action was taken to eliminate it for good. An individual can live with SVT, but it is pretty tough on an aging heart, and he was concerned how I'd tolerate as I passed thru my 60's and beyond (hopefully!). Cardiac ablation was the answer for me, Michelle(above), and a large number of individuals that have passed through this forum.
I'd recommend that if it becomes a regular event (mine were 3 to 5 times per month) that you ask for a 30 day monitor to catch an event. Once one is recorded, and it's established that you indeed have SVT, a plan of action can be formulated. That could initially be a drug therapy, or perhaps an electrophysiology study where they will go in and cut the pathway that is causing the SVT. I'd strongly advise that you keep all comments regarding anxiety out of any conversation with your physician so as not to cloud that actual problem you're experiencing. You could end up being mismedicated, and still having the problem. Good luck!
I'd recommend that if it becomes a regular event (mine were 3 to 5 times per month) that you ask for a 30 day monitor to catch an event. Once one is recorded, and it's established that you indeed have SVT, a plan of action can be formulated. That could initially be a drug therapy, or perhaps an electrophysiology study where they will go in and cut the pathway that is causing the SVT. I'd strongly advise that you keep all comments regarding anxiety out of any conversation with your physician so as not to cloud that actual problem you're experiencing. You could end up being mismedicated, and still having the problem. Good luck!
Hi
Your post struck a chord with me. In 2007 I was suffering terribly with Anxiety surrounding my AVNRT diagnosis and came to this board looking for reassurance.
I've had arrhythmias since I was 16. I finally was diagnosed when I was 19 (when they caught it on a monitor). I don't think I'm limited to just AVNRT as other arrhythmias have been spotted. I'm now a calmer person who's accepted these and my episodes have lessened. I'm currently enjoying 3 years of being episode free which is the longest gap yet! My attitude towards my arrhythmia made a big difference. They are very frightening. It is difficult to reassure you with regards to your arrhythmia as you currently don't have a specific diagnosis which would help greatly. You appear to tolerate the episodes well and they are short lived which is very encouraging. To put it in perspective a bit I once spent several HOURS in AVNRT at the hospital. They weren't too worried and apart from feeling like i'd run a marathon afterwards I was ok. The vast majority of arrhythmias are treatable and well tolerated but it would be wrong of me to sweepingly say you've got nothing to worry about as i'm not a doctor and until you have investigative tests and a definitive diagnosis its impossible to speculate. Michelle is right in what she says, she's got alot of knowledge of her particular arrhythmia and if yours is the same type then you really don't have anything to be afraid of. AVNRT is rarely life threatening if it is that. I do hope it helps speaking to like minded people and if we can help we will.
Your post struck a chord with me. In 2007 I was suffering terribly with Anxiety surrounding my AVNRT diagnosis and came to this board looking for reassurance.
I've had arrhythmias since I was 16. I finally was diagnosed when I was 19 (when they caught it on a monitor). I don't think I'm limited to just AVNRT as other arrhythmias have been spotted. I'm now a calmer person who's accepted these and my episodes have lessened. I'm currently enjoying 3 years of being episode free which is the longest gap yet! My attitude towards my arrhythmia made a big difference. They are very frightening. It is difficult to reassure you with regards to your arrhythmia as you currently don't have a specific diagnosis which would help greatly. You appear to tolerate the episodes well and they are short lived which is very encouraging. To put it in perspective a bit I once spent several HOURS in AVNRT at the hospital. They weren't too worried and apart from feeling like i'd run a marathon afterwards I was ok. The vast majority of arrhythmias are treatable and well tolerated but it would be wrong of me to sweepingly say you've got nothing to worry about as i'm not a doctor and until you have investigative tests and a definitive diagnosis its impossible to speculate. Michelle is right in what she says, she's got alot of knowledge of her particular arrhythmia and if yours is the same type then you really don't have anything to be afraid of. AVNRT is rarely life threatening if it is that. I do hope it helps speaking to like minded people and if we can help we will.
Thank you so much for taking the time to fill me in. This is a scary and concerning problem as you know and talking to someone who has the same issue and learning more about it really helps with the mental aspect of the condition. I will try not to worry about future episodes and just accept them as they come until my doctor thinks i need the ablation. I appreciate your fast response.
I lived with avnrt my whole life. I had episodes since I was a kid. Most were short lived but a few lasted several hours. Your heart must be in tachycardia for a very long extended period of time for it to truly hurt you. There is a risk if you do start to have frequent episodes of possibly developing congestive heart failure down the road but the way it was presented to me is this is considered a benign condition and getting it fixed was totally my choice. I was starting to have weekly episodes so it was disrupting my life but yours are not at a point that you are in any real danger especially if they are converting on their own. I would say try jumping up and down, or holding your breath and bearing down like you are straining to go to the bathroom or drink a very cold glass of water. Those can sometimes get the episodes to stop. More than likely you will continue to get the episodes. It isn't a condition that goes away. You have an extra muscle fiber in your heart and they don't just disappear but try not to let worry over a future episode rule your life. You convert on your own so you really do not have anything to worry too much over. Just head to the ER if it seems like you can't get it to stop but in general, if the heart is healthy then avnrt is not a serious health concern. It should be taken seriously but your odds of dieing from it are low. Take care and when things get worse consider and ablation to try and rid yourself of it for good if it hasn't already been offered. Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.
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