When we have someone like Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira) to reassure us on a medical problem that gives us worry, we don't need much else until it's time to submit to medical professionals for treatment. Her posting on SVT is the best I have seen on this vexing problem and the outlook needed by SVT victims to keep on keeping on despite a rushing heartbeat, sometimes with chest-rattling palpitations, but often not so fearful.

In my case, the SVT is a condition that recurs in my wife's heart (while I deal with atrial fibrillation). Her SVT started with her diagnosis of diabetes-2 about 25 years ago, then stayed in the background until last year when it returned for two worrisome episodes. Last Spring, a new cardiologist tried medicinal cardioversion with XCartia (a version of Diltiazem) that warded off palpitations for several months, but side-effects (mainly edema in her extremities) ended that therapy. He switched her to Flecainide which lasted a few months until dizziness, instability, and fatigue forced a return to the Tenormin (Atenolol) she had taken for several years to combat the arrhythmia that manifested as PSVT -- paroxysmal (unpredictable) supraventricular tachycardia.

Crucial to my wife has been her moderately heavy exercise regimen. She was forced off of that with her PSVT episode last Spring and remained largely unexercised through last November. But now, back on Atenolol, she is pretty comfortable with the prospect that an episode is unlikely, but if it recurs, she knows how to handle it. Her Flecainide is now on standby for use only as-necessary if a new episode occurs.

Ablation of the errant tissues in the heart is on her list of options, but in reserve if any serious recurrence sends her to the Emergency Room a mile from home.

I hope her experience with PSVT and its treatment is reassuring for Connect members with the problem. She has learned how to handle the threat and the episodes themselves and looks forward to her 83rd birthday in the coming Summer. Martin

Jump to this post