SVT questions for cardiologist
Recently wore a zio patch monitor for 30d. Results indicate I had 88 short duration SVTs during that time. Longest one lasted 30s. I was originally referred to the cardiologist bc I have very random “near syncope” episodes (near fainting). I did not have one of these while wearing the monitor but did get these SVT results which I have seen in my patient portal. I see the cardio to follow up in two weeks. He did send me a msg in my portal. “I do not think your svts are causing your fainting, however given the high number of svts you are having you could try 25 mg of metoprolol to see if symptoms subside. Let me know if you’d like to try it.
For context, I have normal to low ish bp, low ish heart rate esp at night. I am finding it difficult to believe the results do not correlate to my near syncope, and, concerned about this med making me feel slow and foggy if I don’t really need it. My heart rate did get quite high during several svts (greater than 200), but apparently resets itself in less than 30 seconds. So, it sounds like he is overall unconcerned. I didn’t notice most of them or have had them so long I’m used to them. Anyone experience anything similar ?
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I was prescribed metropolol for AFib but couldn’t tolerate. My sleeping HR is in the high 40s and dipped into low 40s with it.
I, too, would be concerned for you in the way you describe your circumstances. Metoprolol is a good and safe drug in the right body for it. Worked for me until they kept upping the doses in the few months prior to my first ablation. The only symptom I had was syncope when rising to my feet from seated one day, the only time that happened, but I also found that during the day I would feel a heavy tingling at the back of my neck and up into the scalp. I didn't feel faint, nor did my vision begin to close in on me, but this happened at 60 mph................with me doing the driving..!!
Unfortunately, the only practical way to rule out your fears is to experiment. If you cardiologist would agree to it (so he/she feels sanguine about keeping you as a patient...), maybe you could try half a dose of what he would otherwise prescribe for a month, and then double it for a month to see what effect each has on you. So, half dose, then up to his originally prescribed dose.