SVT/PACs/PVCs
Hey there!
I'd like to share a little background to try to help whoever may take the time to read this to understand what is happening with my situation.
I am 24 years old, I am a female. Back in 2020, I got Covid-19 for the first time. I wasn't extremely ill (thankfully) but I was tired, I ran fevers, and I lost my taste and smell. I never had any issues with my lungs or my oxygen intake, I recovered quickly.. probably within a week and I was back to doing my normal activities. About a month later, I was at my father-in-law's house and I was helping him with some housework because he is not in good health. I bent over to pick up the dog's food bowl off of the ground and I felt my heart skip. When I stood back up, it felt like my heart rate skyrocketed to 300bpm. At the time, I had no idea what was going on. I laid down in my father-in-law's room, and tried not to panic (although I felt like I was dying) and we discussed whether or not we needed to call emergency services. Eventually my heart calmed down and went back into rhythm on its own.
The next day, I was cleaning the kitchen at home and it happened again. I immediately felt faint and sat down to avoid hitting the ground if I passed out. This episode only lasted for about a minute or so and wasn't as severe as the one prior, but it was still scary. After this, I made an appointment to see a cardiologist because I realized that something wasn't right.
They performed a series of tests on me. I wore a Holter monitor, and I completed a stress test. I was cleared of any issues, so I went on my way. A couple of years passed, and throughout this time I suffered through minor palpitations but I had no pain in my chest, no shortness of breath, and no accompanying symptoms. I still decided to get a second opinion. I visited with a different cardiologist, and performed all of the same tests. This cardiologist even performed an echocardiogram. All came back normal except for a few PVCs and PACs from my Holter monitor report.. my cardiologist reassured me that there was nothing to worry about, so I carried on.
Fast forward to a month ago when I had another round of SVT. My heart rate spiked to 226bpm and it lasted for several minutes. I tried everything that I could think of to break it. Vagal maneuvers.. coughing, bearing down. Nothing would make my heart rate lower.. so I called 911. Emergency services arrived and took me to the emergency room but by the time I got there, my heart rate was normal. They took bloodwork, and couldn't find a thing wrong with me. They checked all of my cardiac markers and electrolytes.. but nothing was wrong. They told me that I probably had a run of SVT but there was no way for them to be able to tell without seeing it happen in action. I understand that they can't just diagnose or treat me for something I may or may not have.. but this is just so aggravating.
Before Covid, I could do anything I wanted. I could drink alcohol, I could smoke, I could have a cup of coffee or a piece of chocolate without my heart rate jumping all over the place.. but after Covid, it's just been completely different. I can't walk up a hill without feeling like my heart is going to either explode or just give out on me. I've read some articles online about a link between Covid and ventricular arrhythmias.. but who's to say that it's true.
I was just reaching out to see if anyone may be suffering from something similar, or if anyone has any advice on what to do. I've tried everything that I can think of to help myself. Staying hydrated.. taking magnesium to help with the palpitations.. but to no avail. I am desperate for answers. I just want my life back.
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Thank you so so much. I will look into seeing an electrophysiologist!
Thank you so much. I know that stress doesn’t help my health, and I am under it a lot of the time. I’ve been diagnosed with a panic disorder, and I’ve had it for many years and I am taking medication for it which has helped. I wouldn’t pin everything completely on my anxiety though due to the fact that I know what panic feels like.. I know how my heart feels when I panic. I know how powerful my mind is. I suffered from panic attacks before my heart symptoms began to occur. Thank you though so much. I hope you and your wife are doing super good now!
Thank you all so much for your helpful comments and kind words. It’s truly appreciated!
I think it's a good idea and I do hope it helps!!
Good luck and let us know if it works for you.