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Undetectable blood pressure during SVT?
I ended up in the ER last month with SVT. My blood pressure couldn't be detected at all during the arrhythmia. Though, I felt no dizziness nor fainted. Had all tests done, everything came up normal. Still I'm concerned. Why my blood pressure can't be detected during SVT?
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Hi @ashleigh, Welcome to Connect. Am I understanding correctly that the ER or doctor could not detect your blood pressure due to the arrhythmia with SVT or is it not being detected when you take your blood pressure at home?
During the episode of SVT in the ER, The nurse tried to take my blood pressure multiple times with different devices and was unable to. My BP was undetectable. I was wondering what could have caused it.
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1 ReactionI think that is a great question for your doctor. Mayo Clinic has some information on diagnosing Supraventricular tachycardia and the tests used here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/supraventricular-tachycardia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355249
Hello Ashleigh - that must have been frightening. I am not a doctor, but I will try to explain in layperson terms the way my daughter has explained it to me. She is an RN who teaches Advanced Cardiac Life Support to nurses and first responders.
When you are in SVT, the rapid heartbeat may not be filling all chambers of the heart, therefore insufficient blood is being pumped out of the heart and into the body. Tachycardia can cause very low BP, and the "flutter" may make it difficult to measure.
SVT is an indication of an electrical problem in your heart. Sometimes it is a one-time or rare event, perhaps brought on by stress, too much caffeine, medications, street drugs or smoking. Other times, it may be caused by a hereditary flaw in the wiring of your heart. Tests will determine the exact type you have and whether/how it needs to be treated.
Have you been instructed what action to take if it happens again? Do you have family members with heart issues?
Sue
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2 ReactionsWe're they taking your BP with a automated device or did they take it manually with a stethoscope? Did they try your left and right arms, and possibly try taking it on your leg? Did they try palpitating, feeling for, your pulse at your elbow. I gather you wree lying down. Seems if they could feel a pulse at your elbow, and particularly since your weren't lightheaded, you had to have a BP.
Ask your cardiologist or internist, which you should be scheduled to see in follow-up.