Aa
Teen With PVST - Help
My 19 year old son has had episodes of probable PVST (never captured on EKG) since the age of 12. These episodes last 10-20 minutes, happen 2 or 3 times a year, the pulse is too high to count and vagal maneuvers seldom convert. He becomes lightheaded and dizzy often during these episodes.
He has had echo, holter, stress tests and serial EKG - All normal. Structural heart issues are unlikely. Cardiologist has essentially said to, "learn to live with it" and "move on". I suspect this is because the insurance company would not pay for an event monitor and then canceled his coverage.
I have tried to purchase an event monitor but have been told by suppliers that only M.D.s can purchase and a company must be contracted monthly to monitor/read.
I know enough about medicine to know that capturing the event is necessary before any sort of treatment or diagnosis is possible. But it seems that without insurance no one is willing to help. I have paid my son's cardiologist cash but I suspect he feels that further studies would be cost prohibitive without insurance.
Any advice would be appreciated.
He has had echo, holter, stress tests and serial EKG - All normal. Structural heart issues are unlikely. Cardiologist has essentially said to, "learn to live with it" and "move on". I suspect this is because the insurance company would not pay for an event monitor and then canceled his coverage.
I have tried to purchase an event monitor but have been told by suppliers that only M.D.s can purchase and a company must be contracted monthly to monitor/read.
I know enough about medicine to know that capturing the event is necessary before any sort of treatment or diagnosis is possible. But it seems that without insurance no one is willing to help. I have paid my son's cardiologist cash but I suspect he feels that further studies would be cost prohibitive without insurance.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Michelle,
Thank you again for your kind and helpful words. I think my first step must be to change docs. Though, as you know, that can be a real hassle. But I think Nathan needs to find one that "cares" - Which may be a tall order.
Thank you again for your kind and helpful words. I think my first step must be to change docs. Though, as you know, that can be a real hassle. But I think Nathan needs to find one that "cares" - Which may be a tall order.
I just sent you a couple of links to your private message box. They may not catch a first beat but you should be able to see whether or not it is run of the mill artrial tachycardia or something else. It is a bit unfortunate that there are restriction on your son's ability to have a service career. The medical community does not deem the conditions, atrial svts and ectopic beats as a health threat or concern so it seems a bit unfair that your son would be denied employment because of having the condition. I am not certain it would work but could he get a letter of health from his cardiologist that he can prove his condition isn't dangerous? I know it may be an issue if he has an episode while performing a life saving task but if he gets himself into really good shape he might be amazed how well he can tolerate the episodes. There was a clear difference from when I first started having the episodes and didn't work out to working out. I could almost function normally. Though I have to confess that the svt did hinder me a bit. But maybe if he is able to convert on his own right away then it really is a non-issue. To be honest, when I was 20 I actually was quite oblivious to what I actually had. I thought I was hyperventilating and it happened so seldom that I never disclosed that I had the issue, not even to my parents, though I wasn't looking for any sort of a service career either. But I know it must be very disappointing to him to have his dreams be dashed. I would say do your best to get him to take control of the issue and also take control of his future. There has to be other things that he is interested in. I know that is a hard age trying to figure out what to do with your life but just encourage him to go in a direction. Any direction and he might be amazed and quite happy where he ends up. Sometimes life throws us a curve ball but when we look back we realize that curve ball was actually in our best interests. Hard to see at the time but if he can find something else his can be passionate about he will forget all about being a cop or fireman. He may have other talents the world needs from him more than being a cop.
Finally I know it can be very very hard to believe that the conditions do not indicate something more sinister going on but sometimes they really don't. The heart is really just one big muscle. If issues happen with the body of that muscle the electrical signals can simply get side tracked is all. So long as he keeps his heart healthy he really may never need to have anything fixed. That said, just do your best to help your son learn how to deal with his issues even if that means helping him to find a new direction in life. Things may seem bleak to him now but really life does have an amazing ability to work itself out. Take care. I do wish you and your son all the best in getting on top of all this. Stay strong.
Finally I know it can be very very hard to believe that the conditions do not indicate something more sinister going on but sometimes they really don't. The heart is really just one big muscle. If issues happen with the body of that muscle the electrical signals can simply get side tracked is all. So long as he keeps his heart healthy he really may never need to have anything fixed. That said, just do your best to help your son learn how to deal with his issues even if that means helping him to find a new direction in life. Things may seem bleak to him now but really life does have an amazing ability to work itself out. Take care. I do wish you and your son all the best in getting on top of all this. Stay strong.
Again, I want to thank all three of you who have responded. You guys have heart - no, that wasn't a pun.
Regarding the "ragged beat". That's only happened twice...the two most recent episodes. But it's definitely 200 BPM with an "overlay" of out of sync beats. To me, that sounds like a clue, but the Dr. blew it off.
Regarding vagal maneuvers; the basic valsalva worked a couple of times and during the most recent one (the "ragged" type) my son said it didn't work but he felt somehow compelled to to go into a dark room and quickly drink an ice cold soda. He converted in a minute or two after a 20 minute run of tachy. He said he seemed to know intuitively what to do. I checked on his "intuition" and it appears those steps work for some people.
One of the big issues in having a medical record/condition that would preclude him from law enforcement. It's been his dream for a long time. It's hard to give up a dream. His second choices are fireman and forestry - scratch those as well. He likes to hike, hunt and fish in the back country as well - scratch that. Essentially, if we can't diagnosis and cure this thing - all that he is, and aspires to be, is gone at age 19. His anger and depression are consuming him. But that's all beyond the scope of this forum... I mention it for clarification and to personalize the clinical condition.
Michelle, you mention PVCs. Just in the past few weeks he's had some clusters of post exercise PVCs. The doc just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Doesn't mean anything." I'd kinda like to find out what does mean something... all this has to add up to something.
Further, if we don't know what it is, we don't know what it's not. Therefore, though the odds are against it, it may be a potentially dangerous arrhythmia.
You mentioned Omron as a company with a post even monitor. I have yet to find any that will sell one to a "civilian". The doc said "just go Ebay or Amazon and buy one." There are none there. When I told him that, he said he'd have his staff find one.... They were going to contact me within a week. That was two weeks ago and they haven't returned my 3 calls.
Finally, I have read about the iphone adapter. I understand it's undergoing some sort of "medical device approval process", and they're saying maybe in a year or so???
As all of you know, a sustained arrhythmia is a life altering situation. Made more frustrating by our health care system and detached, disinterested doctors who see only the clinical characteristics of the condition, and not the overall effect it has on the condition of the patient, his family and the death of dreams - especially those of a 19 year old.
Again, thank you all.
Regarding the "ragged beat". That's only happened twice...the two most recent episodes. But it's definitely 200 BPM with an "overlay" of out of sync beats. To me, that sounds like a clue, but the Dr. blew it off.
Regarding vagal maneuvers; the basic valsalva worked a couple of times and during the most recent one (the "ragged" type) my son said it didn't work but he felt somehow compelled to to go into a dark room and quickly drink an ice cold soda. He converted in a minute or two after a 20 minute run of tachy. He said he seemed to know intuitively what to do. I checked on his "intuition" and it appears those steps work for some people.
One of the big issues in having a medical record/condition that would preclude him from law enforcement. It's been his dream for a long time. It's hard to give up a dream. His second choices are fireman and forestry - scratch those as well. He likes to hike, hunt and fish in the back country as well - scratch that. Essentially, if we can't diagnosis and cure this thing - all that he is, and aspires to be, is gone at age 19. His anger and depression are consuming him. But that's all beyond the scope of this forum... I mention it for clarification and to personalize the clinical condition.
Michelle, you mention PVCs. Just in the past few weeks he's had some clusters of post exercise PVCs. The doc just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Doesn't mean anything." I'd kinda like to find out what does mean something... all this has to add up to something.
Further, if we don't know what it is, we don't know what it's not. Therefore, though the odds are against it, it may be a potentially dangerous arrhythmia.
You mentioned Omron as a company with a post even monitor. I have yet to find any that will sell one to a "civilian". The doc said "just go Ebay or Amazon and buy one." There are none there. When I told him that, he said he'd have his staff find one.... They were going to contact me within a week. That was two weeks ago and they haven't returned my 3 calls.
Finally, I have read about the iphone adapter. I understand it's undergoing some sort of "medical device approval process", and they're saying maybe in a year or so???
As all of you know, a sustained arrhythmia is a life altering situation. Made more frustrating by our health care system and detached, disinterested doctors who see only the clinical characteristics of the condition, and not the overall effect it has on the condition of the patient, his family and the death of dreams - especially those of a 19 year old.
Again, thank you all.
Yes, the iPhone ECG is an amazing little attachment that you snap on the back of the phone. The attachment has 2 electrodes on it. You hold the phone across the center of your chest and it gives a basic 2 lead recording. There are lots of images of it on Google. Check it out.
Actually the EMS vs the ED thing for which would be faster to get an ECG. EMS would actually be faster as they are able to obtain one in less than 5 minutes upon arriving on scene. At an ED, you would have to wait to be triaged (it it's a busy hospital, this could take a while) and even then, you may have to wait even longer to get an ECG if they are required to wait for a Dr to put in orders for one. A lot of time, they will go ahead and get one and the Dr will put in orders after the fact but the chances that you would get one within even 15 minutes of arriving at the ED is slim. The advantage to EMS is that he would be the only patient requiring their attention at that time. At the ED, the attention is spread among a lot of patients and it is triaged based on severity of how life threatening the situation is. I would also imagine that it is cheaper than the ED. I've also seen recently that there was a case designed for the iPhone that records a rhythm strip. It's called the iPhoneECG. I'm not sure it's actually out on the market yet but it has created a buzz over the past year or so. They are staying that the case will cost less than $100. That could be handy as you would actually own it and could keep it with you long term. I may be wrong but I don't think it's available yet but hopefully will be soon??
Typically and especially in cases of avnrt the rapid beat is actually initiated by an ectopic beat. The majority are triggered by pacs, I was triggered by pvcs. It is highly likely that your son could be having some sort of a ectopic beat episode but it could also be that he is throwing ectopics after he has fallen into tachycardia and having episodes with both. But in general people who have some sort of tachycardia generally do also have issues with ectopic beats. Though my cardiologist claims they are not related my experience leads me to believe that one leads to the other. They kind of feed off each other. The other thing I learned from my cardiologist is that in general cardiologists are simply not concerned about a lot of the goings on of the heart that throw common folk into a near panic. Living to 60 with occasional tachycardia without any really undue damage to the heart proves that the condition is mainly not life threatening. It needs to be managed proper and taken seriously but odds are your son will continue to lead a full and active life. Though during an episode the blood is not being pumped efficiently so it is important for him to get off of any ladders and sit down until the episode passes but in general most atrial tachycardias can lead to feeling like you will pass out but most never do. But sitting down will help lessen the affects of the rapid beat. Finally and take this for what it is worth but my doctors really do not see meds as a sensible option for someone who only has occasional episodes. The meds don't really prevent anything and if your son's bp is normal and healthy why put meds in his body when he is tolerating the episodes well. Obviously it is your choice whether or not you want to pursue getting him on meds but my doctors really didn't seem to think they did much unless a person what having frequent issues. In any event, as you can see from the experiences of Tom and I a person can live quite a normal life with svt so just have your son keep an eye on what is going on and head to the er if it doesn't convert on its own and then sometime down the line if he ever gets more active he can take steps to get the issue corrected. And if you are really interested in a hand held monitor search online for hand held heart monitors. Omron makes some good equipment but there are a number of different units out there. You won't get the first beat but you may at least be able to see what is going on during an episode. I know you are very concerned about your son. He is lucky to have a dad who has a vested interest in his health and well being. But do know that in a structurally normal heart tachycardia and ectopic beats are really not a threat to a person's overall well being. They really just seem scary then they really are which is mostly just a nuisance. Take care.
"...sometimes his tachycardia seems rather "ragged" like a rough running engine - a beat over a beat...."
This doesn't sound like typical SVT, like what is experienced during episodes of AVRT or AVNRT. But you do say this is sometimes, so perhaps other times it's a steady rapid pace. When I was a child and up into my late 40's, my SVT was almost exclusively associated with physical exertion. But beyond that, I began to get more episodes at rest then while I was active. I could be eating a meal or watching TV and it would go off. So I have a total understanding of what your son is experiencing.
About 6 months after my ablation in 2010, I experienced 2 weeks of total hell as my heart began firing salvos of PAC's, PVC's and runs of SVT. It felt like jumbled up beating, a frightening feeling. Perhaps this is what you're son if experiencing when he feels this. Perhaps it's an accessory pathway that tries to conduct, but just can't quite make it.
There are several extremely cheap beta blockers available that may or may not help him. I was prescribed Metoprolol years before my ablation, and continue to take it today on a much lower dose. While I did not find that it prevented episodes, it definitely helped in converting them. Once mine started, they were self sustaining and would not stop on their own. I used Valsalva to halt mine. Has your son tried a facial ice bath? Another method I heard here that was effective was doing a head stand. There's also a method that works but that needs training by a profession referred to as carotid artery massage. know it's so inconvenient to have to run to the ER each time one starts, so I'd try any means possible to convert an episode.
Back when I was 20 in 1970, I was admitted to The Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey. I spent over a week there getting poked, proded, tested, and finally given a catherization, which was a leading edge procedure back then. Their recommendation was similar to your son's. I was was told to modify my lifestyle, learn to relax, given no medication, and there were no procedures back then to eliminate it. My entire hospital stay was written off as I had no insurance back then, and the hospital worked and continues to work today without regard to the patient's ability to pay. Perhaps there is a hospital out there that functions on a similar basis.
Finally, If it's any consolation, I as well as others here have lived with SVT for many years. For me, it was 6 to 60, fifty-four years. Perhaps after your son gets through college and gets a job, he'll have a benefit plan that will allow him to address his problem.
This doesn't sound like typical SVT, like what is experienced during episodes of AVRT or AVNRT. But you do say this is sometimes, so perhaps other times it's a steady rapid pace. When I was a child and up into my late 40's, my SVT was almost exclusively associated with physical exertion. But beyond that, I began to get more episodes at rest then while I was active. I could be eating a meal or watching TV and it would go off. So I have a total understanding of what your son is experiencing.
About 6 months after my ablation in 2010, I experienced 2 weeks of total hell as my heart began firing salvos of PAC's, PVC's and runs of SVT. It felt like jumbled up beating, a frightening feeling. Perhaps this is what you're son if experiencing when he feels this. Perhaps it's an accessory pathway that tries to conduct, but just can't quite make it.
There are several extremely cheap beta blockers available that may or may not help him. I was prescribed Metoprolol years before my ablation, and continue to take it today on a much lower dose. While I did not find that it prevented episodes, it definitely helped in converting them. Once mine started, they were self sustaining and would not stop on their own. I used Valsalva to halt mine. Has your son tried a facial ice bath? Another method I heard here that was effective was doing a head stand. There's also a method that works but that needs training by a profession referred to as carotid artery massage. know it's so inconvenient to have to run to the ER each time one starts, so I'd try any means possible to convert an episode.
Back when I was 20 in 1970, I was admitted to The Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey. I spent over a week there getting poked, proded, tested, and finally given a catherization, which was a leading edge procedure back then. Their recommendation was similar to your son's. I was was told to modify my lifestyle, learn to relax, given no medication, and there were no procedures back then to eliminate it. My entire hospital stay was written off as I had no insurance back then, and the hospital worked and continues to work today without regard to the patient's ability to pay. Perhaps there is a hospital out there that functions on a similar basis.
Finally, If it's any consolation, I as well as others here have lived with SVT for many years. For me, it was 6 to 60, fifty-four years. Perhaps after your son gets through college and gets a job, he'll have a benefit plan that will allow him to address his problem.
For the purpose of simplicity I will respond to everyone who replied to my post - and thank you all.
First in order, Tom.
Because he only gets these episodes 2-3 times a year the monthly recorder is a long shot. They are not exercise related and can come anytime, for no apparent reason.
There is a program in Ca. that he can enroll in that is for people with preexisting conditions. However, he must have been dropped by his ins. co. (which he has) - but then must also wait 6 months before applying... Now doesn't that make a lot of sense? And, if this ins. is anything his last, they will just deny monitors or other expensive testing.
Michelle - You put a lot of time into your post and I thank you.
You may be correct about AVNRT. However 75% of those effected are women. Further, sometimes his tachycardia seems rather "ragged" like a rough running engine - a beat over a beat.... Maybe atrial and ventricular?
My son is working his way through college and he works part-time do "handyman" type work. He had a short run of tacky a few weeks back and almost fell off a ladder. He reported that episode to his cardiologist and the Dr. said, "Well, just stay off ladders. I'll see you next month." This is maddening.
Also, I'm not certain what good a monitor will do if it doesn't capture the initial fusion beat. The only kind he wants to have is the type you keep in a pocket and then press against the chest when the arrhythmia begins. But for the missed initial beat it does seem like the best thing since it is so infrequent. Now, if I could just locate one.
I have contacted our local ER and explained the situation they said no problem - have him come in when he's tachy. But of course, do I want him driving if he's alone and I am seldom near/with him because of school and work.
I didn't mention this before, but I have a mild arrhythmia, short runs of PVCs - some couplets and triplets. Have had for years. My father died of an arrhythmia... sort of. At about age 60 he began suddenly fainting. He wouldn't go to a doctor. He said he felt a little flutter in his chest and a moment latter he would just go out. He refused to seek medical treatment. I told him it was certainly his heart - but he refused to see anyone. This went on for over 6 years. One day went down in his work shop, hit his head on the table saw and bled to death. Since his "spells" came on at 60 I don't think there's a connection. No other family member has any heart issues. He had 6 siblings and I have two other children and a brother with no issues. But I thought I just throw that out there. The cardiologist thought nothing of it - but then he doesn't seem to think much about the situation in general.
Finally abc85
First, I've thought of the EMT thing. But I think it would be faster to transport him to the hospital, in most cases. But it is certainly worth considering in the right situation.
Regarding meds. The Dr. is reluctant to prescribe meds because he says the wrong one could actually make the heart go into VFib. He seems to think there's more risk with than without. But, I think something basic like Atenolol that might be worth a shot. But, still we wouldn't have a diagnosis regarding the focal point/type of arrhythmia. And he's just 19... He wants to be a cop - can't imagine why - but a life of meds pretty much squashes that. I haven't told him, but I reckon just the medical record will prevent him form ever getting much of a job - even if the economy wasn't dead.
Regarding money. I am prepared to pay a lot - but I couldn't afford to drop a 100k plus. But a few grand to figure this thing out...Hey where do I sign up? He's my son.
I've even been looking into studies and clinical trials - no luck.
Anyway, thanks again everyone. I'm just hoping there's an angle or idea I've missed.
First in order, Tom.
Because he only gets these episodes 2-3 times a year the monthly recorder is a long shot. They are not exercise related and can come anytime, for no apparent reason.
There is a program in Ca. that he can enroll in that is for people with preexisting conditions. However, he must have been dropped by his ins. co. (which he has) - but then must also wait 6 months before applying... Now doesn't that make a lot of sense? And, if this ins. is anything his last, they will just deny monitors or other expensive testing.
Michelle - You put a lot of time into your post and I thank you.
You may be correct about AVNRT. However 75% of those effected are women. Further, sometimes his tachycardia seems rather "ragged" like a rough running engine - a beat over a beat.... Maybe atrial and ventricular?
My son is working his way through college and he works part-time do "handyman" type work. He had a short run of tacky a few weeks back and almost fell off a ladder. He reported that episode to his cardiologist and the Dr. said, "Well, just stay off ladders. I'll see you next month." This is maddening.
Also, I'm not certain what good a monitor will do if it doesn't capture the initial fusion beat. The only kind he wants to have is the type you keep in a pocket and then press against the chest when the arrhythmia begins. But for the missed initial beat it does seem like the best thing since it is so infrequent. Now, if I could just locate one.
I have contacted our local ER and explained the situation they said no problem - have him come in when he's tachy. But of course, do I want him driving if he's alone and I am seldom near/with him because of school and work.
I didn't mention this before, but I have a mild arrhythmia, short runs of PVCs - some couplets and triplets. Have had for years. My father died of an arrhythmia... sort of. At about age 60 he began suddenly fainting. He wouldn't go to a doctor. He said he felt a little flutter in his chest and a moment latter he would just go out. He refused to seek medical treatment. I told him it was certainly his heart - but he refused to see anyone. This went on for over 6 years. One day went down in his work shop, hit his head on the table saw and bled to death. Since his "spells" came on at 60 I don't think there's a connection. No other family member has any heart issues. He had 6 siblings and I have two other children and a brother with no issues. But I thought I just throw that out there. The cardiologist thought nothing of it - but then he doesn't seem to think much about the situation in general.
Finally abc85
First, I've thought of the EMT thing. But I think it would be faster to transport him to the hospital, in most cases. But it is certainly worth considering in the right situation.
Regarding meds. The Dr. is reluctant to prescribe meds because he says the wrong one could actually make the heart go into VFib. He seems to think there's more risk with than without. But, I think something basic like Atenolol that might be worth a shot. But, still we wouldn't have a diagnosis regarding the focal point/type of arrhythmia. And he's just 19... He wants to be a cop - can't imagine why - but a life of meds pretty much squashes that. I haven't told him, but I reckon just the medical record will prevent him form ever getting much of a job - even if the economy wasn't dead.
Regarding money. I am prepared to pay a lot - but I couldn't afford to drop a 100k plus. But a few grand to figure this thing out...Hey where do I sign up? He's my son.
I've even been looking into studies and clinical trials - no luck.
Anyway, thanks again everyone. I'm just hoping there's an angle or idea I've missed.
As far as trying to record an episode. If he is having one you could go to an urgent care or his Dr's office and hope that it lasts long enough to get a recording. I'm not sure where you live but you could call EMS as they are able to do ECGs in the field and get one that way. Just because you call EMS doesn't mean that he has to go to the hospital. You can call, have an ECG done, ask to keep it (make sure you ask for a copy), and then refuse transport to the hospital. I know you said that you don't have insurance so be aware that EMS will most likely charge if an ECG is done. However, it is usually about $100 (varies with agencies). Make sure that after you get a copy that you make a copy of it because the ink on the ECGs done on the portable monitors can fade with time. Then you can send a copy to your Dr. It sounds like an odd way to get a recording but if you can't get an event monitor from the Dr and you really want to capture what is going on during one of these episodes to confirm of PSVT, then this is an option. Also, if he is only having this 2-3 times a year, then getting a monitor might not be the best bet if you don't have insurance as they are often prescribed for about a month at a time and it he isn't having the episodes frequently enough to know that you would actually capture something on it. They are very expensive (especially without insurance) and I would hate for you to spend that money and not even capture something. Has he asked his doctor for a medication to take when these episodes occur? Having a beta blocker or something along those lines that he could take when he first feels it start could stop the episode faster and thereby preventing or reducing the dizziness that he gets with them.
You are in a bit of a jam. Cardiology tests are very expensive and the procedure to correct the issue I personally suspect he has is $50,000 or more. So not something you can do without some sort of financial assistance. That said, you also need to be actually fairly active to ensure doing the procedure is worth it. The doctor needs to induce the tachycardia to be able to map where the signal is going astray so he can ablate it. If your son is only having 2 or 3 episodes a year there is a strong chance he may go in and not even be able to get the issue corrected. So it really isn't a procedure that should be rushed into. That said, you can try and buy a hand held monitor for a couple hundred dollars but to get an accurate diagnosis the recording really has to capture the beginnings of the event so not sure if it is even worth the spending the money on it but an option if you are so inclined.
With this all said, I am basing this on personal experience and can't say with absolute certainty but it sounds like your son may have avnrt. I suspect avnrt because the other form wpw generally shows traces on an ekg even if the person is not in tachycardia so if your son had that it would have shown up on that test. There are a few other types but avnrt is a high probability. I had avnrt my whole life. Ever since I can remember but like your son it was only once in a blue moon that I would get episodes. It wasn't until I reached my mid thirties to early 40s that it actually started to disrupt my life and I opted to have the problem ablated. But in general if your son is converting on his own and only having a couple of episodes a year his heart is likely not going to sustain any long term damage from the episodes. He has plenty of time between episodes for his heart to recover. I would say if he has an episode that doesn't resolve then head to the er and they will give him medicine to stop it but I actually never once went to the ER. Mine always stopped eventually so I never fretted over it. I would have your son keep practicing the vagal maneuvers so that he can hopefully control it on his own. But do some research on avnrt. The medical community does not deem most atrial tachycardias a threat to a person's health especially if they are short lived like your sons. The odds of him dropping dead from it are extremely small as well and are only likely if he has some sort of heart disease which signs for that should have shown up on the ekg and since they didn't it does sound like his heart is generally in pretty good shape. That said, as the years pass the episodes may get more frequent and at that time he may decide to get the issue correct but in general it is a condition and person can live with his whole life and be just fine. Hopefully that gives you a little piece of mind over the situation but do keep an eye on him and have him alert you if he starts to feel other more troubling symptoms. And when he does have an episode just instruct him to sit and rest until it passes or try the vagal maneuvers to see if he can get the episode to stop. I will also say have him stay active as well. I had the condition all my life but found I was much more able to tolerate the episodes better once I started to doing some cardio workouts. It really made a huge difference in how taxing the episodes were on me. If you have any further questions feel free to ask away. There are a lot of people on this board who have been through this their whole lives as well and we are glad to help in any way we can. Take care.
With this all said, I am basing this on personal experience and can't say with absolute certainty but it sounds like your son may have avnrt. I suspect avnrt because the other form wpw generally shows traces on an ekg even if the person is not in tachycardia so if your son had that it would have shown up on that test. There are a few other types but avnrt is a high probability. I had avnrt my whole life. Ever since I can remember but like your son it was only once in a blue moon that I would get episodes. It wasn't until I reached my mid thirties to early 40s that it actually started to disrupt my life and I opted to have the problem ablated. But in general if your son is converting on his own and only having a couple of episodes a year his heart is likely not going to sustain any long term damage from the episodes. He has plenty of time between episodes for his heart to recover. I would say if he has an episode that doesn't resolve then head to the er and they will give him medicine to stop it but I actually never once went to the ER. Mine always stopped eventually so I never fretted over it. I would have your son keep practicing the vagal maneuvers so that he can hopefully control it on his own. But do some research on avnrt. The medical community does not deem most atrial tachycardias a threat to a person's health especially if they are short lived like your sons. The odds of him dropping dead from it are extremely small as well and are only likely if he has some sort of heart disease which signs for that should have shown up on the ekg and since they didn't it does sound like his heart is generally in pretty good shape. That said, as the years pass the episodes may get more frequent and at that time he may decide to get the issue correct but in general it is a condition and person can live with his whole life and be just fine. Hopefully that gives you a little piece of mind over the situation but do keep an eye on him and have him alert you if he starts to feel other more troubling symptoms. And when he does have an episode just instruct him to sit and rest until it passes or try the vagal maneuvers to see if he can get the episode to stop. I will also say have him stay active as well. I had the condition all my life but found I was much more able to tolerate the episodes better once I started to doing some cardio workouts. It really made a huge difference in how taxing the episodes were on me. If you have any further questions feel free to ask away. There are a lot of people on this board who have been through this their whole lives as well and we are glad to help in any way we can. Take care.
Because of their fleeting nature, SVT's are often captured on a 30 day monitor. A device that records the event that the wearer must manually upload to a monitoring lab. The typical 24hr. Holter is usually worthless for capturing SVT's. THe 30day recorder is about the size of a deck of cards, and the wearer can do literally anything except bathe or shower with it on. I was having 3-5 events per month and the 30 day monitor finally captured mine.
The monitoring charges are significant. There should be some means available to your son so he could be treated for his SVT. I had 54 year of SVT and finally had it fixed at 59. That procedure is also very expensive unless covered by insurance. Are there any clinics that will treat him?
The monitoring charges are significant. There should be some means available to your son so he could be treated for his SVT. I had 54 year of SVT and finally had it fixed at 59. That procedure is also very expensive unless covered by insurance. Are there any clinics that will treat him?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
