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SVT- How frequent and how fast? Are Alaskan' EP correct?
I am new to Connect at Mayo Clinic because I am desperately seeking a community of people with my experiences. I am in a small community in Alaska so my connections with similar people is limited. I have SVT about twice a year with my heart jumping to 220-250 for 11 years. I have not been able to self convert. I had Adenosine when on vacation in CA. The ambulance has been able to convert me using valsalva but I can't get it to work without help. I've worn the monitor multiple time. The EPs here in Alaska say it is not a problem but it is TERRIFYING!! How frequent have people's SVT attacks been? How high has your heart been for how long? Does this really seem like a minor problem or should I look for better care out of Alaska? More advice to self convert my SVT?
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So scary and exhausting. A friend used to get an SVT episode about once a year. Rate 200 or so, scary. She always self-converted after an hour or so. Her cardiologist said he could fix it with ablation so he did that and she hasn’t had an episode since. It has been years. Such a relief to her. I hope you can find an EP with a solution.
There are some possible concerns with any tachyarrhythmia, but mostly if they are sustained for more than 24 hours. I had two ablations for atrial fibrillation, a type of SVT, and my instructions stated that it is not uncommon for successfully ablated patients to have some short runs of ectopy in the first few weeks after the procedure. However, I was cautioned to not let it go longer than 24 hours...IF.....the rate exceeded 100 BPM. The instructions didn't say to not let it go more than 12 or even 8 hours if the rate exceeded 180 or 200. It just said anything over 100 BPM for 24 hours, get to the ER, usually for a cardioversion.
We understand your terror. Especially if you are somewhat, or strongly, symptomatic, it's almost a living hell. But the fact is that this disorder is highly unlikely to 'kill you'. If left unmanaged, if it persists and runs for weeks without a break, it can lead to other problems which are concerning, problems like heart failure (a horribly inaccurate term that I would rather is 'cardiac insufficiency', but it means the heart doesn't pump blood efficiently).
You may respond to an anti-arrhythmic drug, and you may be asked if you'd like to try one or three to see if you can tolerate them AND if they help to keep your heart in normal sinus rhythm (NSR). But you might be better off seeking the opinion and help of an electrophysiologist, a heart surgeon/electrical disorder specialist for an ablation.
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1 ReactionI’ve had bouts of SVT for 32 years. It’s gotten way more often with age. (I’m now in my mid 60s). I’ve never had to go to ER since Valsalva maneuvers have always worked, though not always quickly. Rates vary when it’s happening from anywhere between 120-250.
In just the past couple months, I’ve been able to abort it within a few seconds by sitting down and dropping my head between my legs and breathing slowly. I’ve read this works for some people and so far I’m one of them. Maybe it will work for you. I am much less anxious now when an episode starts. Good luck!