SVT & Ablation

Wonderful! Yes, some of us can go a good long time controlling our arrythmia with a self-imposed regimen, some of us need some medication, and some of us don't do so well with those and ask for an ablation. Some ablations can be successful for years, others fail in side of a couple of weeks....or one, which is what happened to me. Fortunately, the electrophysiologist knew me well enough (I pestered his nurses for guidance and kept them in the loop as to how I was feeling and that I wanted Dr. Novak to take another look at me) that he agreed to try again, and it worked. It will be two years on Valentine's Day.

SVT is supra-ventricular tachyardia, and it is a tachyarrhythmia....meaning it is still sinus rhythm, but it's quite a bit faster than it needs to be. Your Kardia printout would have shown it was sinus, but the intervals between beats was small. The supra-ventricular part of the name means it takes place in the atria, or the two smaller chambers above the two lower, larger and more powerful, pump that pump blood away from the heart, first to the lungs, and then out to the head, arms, thorax, and legs.

I'm always happy to read of success stories. Thanks for sharing.

I’m glad to hear that ablation worked for you. I was finally diagnosed with svt 5 weeks ago after suffering with theses episodes for 5 years and sadly no ecg would pick it up and I was told it could be stress or hormones which I know my body and I knew it wasnt that..but I had a bad episode for an hour with heart rate up to 204 and I was terrified but thankfully the ecg picked it up as I was taken to hospital and I’ve been referred to an cardiologist.. I was also shown how to do the vascular maneuver which helps as deep breathing exercises didnt work.. but when you are woken up at 2am with this happening or just out walking it’s the most terrifying thing.. I’m 48 and this has really effected my mental health and I feel I can’t enjoy my life.. so I’m hoping I can have the ablation as I want to enjoy my life again and not live in fear.. does this make sense x

It can be terrifying, especially to wake up in SVT. I’ve had SVT for 32 years but very intermittently, until the past 6 months, due to increased stress in my life. Vagal maneuvers have always worked. I want to share something easier that has worked for me successfully the past month or so. As soon as it starts, I sit down and just bend over and hang my head between my legs and try to breathe slowly. My SVT has stopped within a few seconds, each and every time. I only hope this trick keeps working. Good luck!!!

wow 32 years 😩that’s awful

when I woke the other night at 2am with the palpations I was alone and terrified so I did the vascular manoeuvr and I had to do it a few times then lie on my couch legs in the air with my head hanging down then I splashed cold water in my face.. this worked but my goodness but it was stressful so I will definitely try what you said as that sounds a lot quicker and less stressful as the way I was shown to blow into a syringe then lie down legs up isn’t great if I’m out shopping or in the cinema 🤣
I’m really praying I can have the ablation as I want my life back… each night I worry about an SVT attack and each morning I worry I’m going to have one.. I think because my doctor said if I can’t get my heart rate down after a while I would have to phone for an ambulance and that scared me so much… thanks so much for advice at least I’m on alone xx

I have gained so much by reading things on this forum re heart rhythms.
I have SVT.
I have written much also. My advice to you is to
read everyone’s notes here. Talk to your doctors. And put into the mix the fact that there are some of us with SVT that accept it as our “normal “ and do not let it bother us as long as the valsalva maneuver quiets it fairly quickly.

Hi I am a 39 year old female, i was diagnosed with SVT almost a year ago, in the past 2 months I had terrible episodes of 200-220 beats lasting for an hour or so, rushed to hospital had to be shocked at some point 😔 couple days after the episode I was referred to a specialist and was told I had to have an ICD procedure. It’s been two weeks ,after the procedure, I am on blood thinners everything went well except that i am feeling so emotional 😭 please help

Be kind to yourself. You’ve been through a lot lately. Just think of all of the things behind you.

Might you ask your cardiologist if the blood thinners might be affecting your mood?

I bet you are stronger than you think. So hang in there! 🌞

Wow I hope you doing ok.. i was diagnosed with svt a few weeks ago and im waiting for my referral as I want to have the ablation… im on beta blockers at the min which is helping but its the added stress and constant worry isn’t it… how have you been x

I’ve had a few more bad episodes and also my anxiety with this has stopped me sleeping so I’m getting no rest.. my doctor has wrote to the hospital to urgently get me an appointment to discuss ablation.. but in the meantime he’s put me on beta blockers to help and for the last 5 days they have made such a difference to my anxiety and the palpitations.. it’s a low does
So staying postive and very determined to get this ablation as I know 100% I will be back to my happy self soon x
Absolutely love theses groups as they help so much xx

Zanele,
Treat yourself to a special meal or event and think of the good times you have had.
Listen to your doctors and read insightful comments here from folks like gloaming….
Opie