?SVT ?EPS and ablation
Posted , 5 users are following.
hi there,
I'm undecided whether to go fo Electro Physiological Studies.
my cardiologist suspects I have either SVT or AF, and has recommended I have EPS and ablation ( should any abnormality be discovered) , however, the heart rhythm has never been caught on ECG, so how do they know it is what they suspect.
i have been referred for a 24 hour holster monitor but what if it doesn't capture it then?
my ?SVT only occurs after drinking alcohol, and although I don't drink much, I think I'll be bereaved if I have to go T-total!
i'm 54 years old and am worried about the incidence of stroke, heart attacks etc following EPS. However, these episodes are seriously affecting my quality of life as they're very scary when they happen. My heart rate has reached as high as 200bpm one time.
can anyone please advise me?
0 likes, 11 replies
molly92822 Jillystev3012
Posted
I have been for two heart monitors now and they haven't captured my SVT even though they know that's what I have as I too have a sudden heart rate of 200. I am 20 years old and don't smoke or drink so it's all it could be. Unfortunately you have to keep having the monitors until they capture it in order to have your ablation treatment. I recommend trying to induce the SVT while on your monitor because even if it's scary, they do not cause heart attacks and are very rarely dangerous. Sometimes you have to do something scary to get the treatment you need.
I have tried to induce mine but have failed to get it on recording thus far, but they can keep monitoring your heart till its found. Good luck
Jillystev3012 molly92822
Posted
my cardiologist suggested EPS straight away before even suggesting the 24 hr holter monitor, it was only when I suggested the 24hr ECG that she agreed. I also have to have a stress perfusion scan to assess the condition of my arteries supplying the heart.
I will certainly be attempting to trigger an episode whilst wearing the holter monitor by having a couple of drinks!! Even though I'll probably be awake all night scared of having an event.
molly92822 Jillystev3012
Posted
I know it's a very scary feeling, how long does yours last? I can usually catch it with my breath and stop it within about a minute now but took months of practice to do so. Google maneuvers to keep it under control they are very helpful
Best thing I ever did was convince myself that the SVT was my friend saying hello. Take the scary out of it and life becomes more manageable
Jillystev3012 molly92822
Posted
i'm glad very got yours under control now.
when I don't have alcohol I don't have any episodes, so I suppose that's one way of controlling it. However, I don't want to have to cut it out altogether as I find myself not wanting to go out with friends to the pub anymore, so it does affect my quality of life. When my heart rate was at 200bpm that one time it lasted for 4 hours and I felt dizzy, light headed, didn't go to A/E just sat it out. Very scary! Since then my heart rate has never reached that high and to lower it I splash my face with ice cold water, put the fan on, open a window, drink plenty of ice cold water. It does eventually return to normal.
good tip convincing yourself SVT is your friend, I'll have to try that one.
molly92822 Jillystev3012
Posted
But it's a burden not a crisis and that's the key thing. It's fixable and manageable and something we should not fear. It's just an annoying thing that wants to be your friend!
Jillystev3012 molly92822
Posted
X
molly92822 Jillystev3012
Posted
Life is only truly appreciated in the absence of something you cannot have. Once you have it all, you cannot appreciate the things that really matter, like the air in your lungs or the days you have to enjoy. I say take this as a eye opener, to how precious life is, and how it should be loved and celebrated and lived, to the very last moment.
Take each day like it's your last, each breath like it's your first. So when it's all over, you can smile and say you loved every moment
Tinkv22 Jillystev3012
Posted
Dave
molly92822 Tinkv22
Posted
Molly
ciaran33745 Jillystev3012
Posted
I have always enjoyed a few drinks (every day!), and have smoked since I was young. Several doctors blamed both for triggering my SVT. But in my case at least, I am certain they had nothing to do with it.
Apart from common triggers like Molly mentioned, the only two triggers I was sure of were mental/emotional stress (never happened when I was stressed, but usually a day later when things had calmed down), and caffeine. Cutting out caffeine completely (including decaff tea/coffee) made a big difference.
Doctors feel they are doing you a favour by blaming booze or fags for whatever is wrong with you. But life's too short to give up some of the things that make it enjoyable unless you have absolutely no choice.
If you yourself believe there is some connection between your drinking and SVT, maybe try a different type of alcohol (e.g. cutting out spirits/wine and drinking beer or cider instead).
Maybe also compare drinking at home to drinking out and see if there's a difference that might be due to other factors.
Good luck
rochelle43965 Jillystev3012
Posted