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Unexplained Tachycardia - Help!
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Aug 10, 2025 | Replies (36)Comment receiving replies
Your phrase about "not life threatening but life altering" brought me to tears! I have SVT 220-250 about twice a year. Two days ago I got another ambulance ride because I can't get the SVT to convert on my own. The days following my depression and anxiety is so intense that it's hard to function. I call my EP and they say "it's fine". I want to scream "I don't feel fine!" I have had SVT for 11 years about twice a year but treatment has been discouraged due to infrequency.
Replies to "Your phrase about "not life threatening but life altering" brought me to tears! I have SVT..."
Sounds like afib to me . Twice a year my research says you probably won’t get treatment if it that infrequent. Paroxysmal afib is most times not treated . If you have a good EP and cardiologist I assume you have had a complete cardiac work up Stress test maybe nuclear stress, echo Medication are the first line of treatment and new is ablation for first line treatment Be well Peace
Your comments hit home. It certainly feels life threatening and one worries that they are going to die and code right there. Then after the episodes you are super stressed out because your are worried that it will happen again and where and when that will be, which isn't good because it adds to the stress and adrenaline hits.
Thankful to everyone who shares here. Not that I want to see anyone suffering but somehow it is helpful when you find out you are not alone.
Sending good thoughts your way.
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My experience with VT and my EP has been quite different from yours. I had 2 episodes of 180 beats per minute for 8 seconds each. I have a loop recorder implanted, so it’s not a guess. The doctor recommended a ICD (defibrillator) asap. They made space for me in the surgical calendar within 4 days with Memorial Day weekend during the wait. He said that had the episodes been 16 seconds, we wouldn’t be having the conversation. ( I’d be dead).
Since then, I have had 2 episodes of NSVT for 2 seconds at 140 beats per minute.
I have never fainted and am not aware of these episodes when they are occurring. I was told how lucky I am to have had these warnings so that the ICD can protect me. Many get no warning. It can and does happen, even to fit young athletes. There is no way to accurately predict what might happen. My heart is structurally sound with no blockages. After many tests to determine a reason with none found, they guess that scar tissue within the heart from a virus has changed the normal electrical pathway. Even a cold can do this, let alone COVID.
Please get a second opinion. I don’t understand why your doctor thinks all is well.
My doctor is Francis Marchlinski, very well known within his specialty at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Lots of info on him online. Maybe you could send a copy of your records to him and his team for review. Call and ask. Stay with it; try not to worry. Help is available, with persistence.