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Being diagnosed with SVT

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rachel_51241
rachel_51241

Heya, just posting on here looking for some advice. I'm a 28 year old women and about 2 months ago I had heart palpitations of 240bmp  for 1 hour and 30 mins before i was admitted to A&E. I had been ill on and off since September and that same day after visiting the GP I was told I had  bronchitis and given medication. The attack happened a few hours after taking medication so I thought at first I was having a reaction to it but I was told by the hospital this wasn't the case. As a side note I was also very fatigued as the bronchitis effected me sleeping. I was kept in hospital to the early hours of the morning and was given various medication aswell as blowing into a tube which brought my heart rate down. I had x rays and blood tests which came back fine. I was allowed to go home once my heart rate was at a stable 100bmp. I was told I would have a follow up appointment to find out what caused this. Last month I went to have an ECG which came back normal. I then spoke to a specialist who informed me that I had SVT. I was offered either pills that I would have to take everyday or a pill  in the pocket that I would have to take if it happened again or surgery which he said I should take.

(Sorry going on a bit)

I'm unsure if I should take the procedure as this is the first time I have had an attack and all my tests from the doctors came back fine so it's even hard for my to believe I have a heart  problem. I was just looking for advice if this has happened to other people on here and just looking for some help. I'm really scared to have a procedure done and not sure if I really want to put myself though it since it only happened to me once? I'm so confused. I would appreciate any help/ advice very much (if any of this even makes sense haha!) many thanks Rachel smile 

0 likes, 25 replies

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  • bob51648
    bob51648 rachel_51241

    Posted

    Hi Rachael. The procedure is probably ablation. I have had it and after nearly 15 years of SVT -off and on, I have not had SVT since. The procedure is nothing to worry about. If you choose medications, check the possible side effects -especially weight gain. All the best.
    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241 bob51648

      Posted

      Thanks  Bob. Yea it is ablation and thanks for replying. I'm glad the procedure worked for you, that is reassuring.   

      I'm still getting my head around being told I have SVT. 

  • peggy12259
    peggy12259 rachel_51241

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with svt 3 months ago after palpitations that I couldn’t control. Mine showed up on the ecg. I was put on a beta blocker. I am. Ow weaning Myself off of it with my doctor as the side effects are unbearable. Anxiety Gerd and fatigue. I am asking for the oil in the pocket. I am also going to talk to someone about

    Anxiety as I believe that’s what kicked them off. I would do the ablation before taking another beta blocker. Hope  His helps. If you’ve only had one I’d question treatment if you are healthy otherwise 

    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241 peggy12259

      Posted

      Thanks for replying. Yea I also have bad anxiety ( when I first had the attack my partner actually thought I was having a panic attack, hence why it took so long for me to go the hospital and I was marched back into bed haha. However as I have experianced a panic attack before I knew I wasn't having one but seriously thought I was going to die, I have never experienced anything like it! And I'm terrified of it happening again 😨wink  but I have never seeked help for it. Mine is related to social situations and medical. Which is another reason why I'm so scared to have a medical procedure done. Unfortunately I always think worse case scenario. 

      Yea because it's only happened once and I'm generally healthy, its hard for me to think about a procedure or taking meds everyday, I guess it's something I have to get my head around. Thanks for your response. 

  • melanie49291
    melanie49291 rachel_51241

    Posted

    I'm so sorry you've been diagnosed with SVT. I have it too. I've had similar reactions like you of heart rate going upto 240bpm, ambulance trips, heart monitor etc. I'm only 31yrs and my cardiologist has only offered meds for every day. I asked for the ablation but he refused to do it as he says there is high risks. I had my first SVT 2years ago, although I didn't and drs didn't know what it was. I've had blood tests, 24hr urine test checking adrenline levels which were okay, heart scan and monitor both okay. Fast forward 2 years later and I've been hit with about 6 SVTs which resulted in me wearing a 30 day heart monitor and that's what caught and gave me my diagnosis. I'm only 2 weeks in since receiving that news and starting meds. All I can say is although you've had it once, once is enough to go through SVT. The more I've had the worse I feel and it's made me so anxious. If I were you I would try the meds and hopefully you'll never have another SVT. Xx

    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241 melanie49291

      Posted

      Yea once is enough it was so so scary, because I have never experienced anything like it, I thought that was it, I was going to die. And I have aniexty when it comes to medical things so being rushed around to resus and having metal pads stuck on me and wires everywhere was a pretty scary Experiance and I'm so worried about it happening again. Yea the fact I have had one ECG following that attack, that came back fine and no other tests makes me worry about being put through for the procedure as it seems a bit rushed rolleyes I'm so sorry you have experianced it many times! That must be hard! I hope the medication works out for you! And thanks for sharing your story. 

  • linda90194
    linda90194 rachel_51241

    Posted

    If this is your first one - maybe it showed up in the ecg? Lab tests and X-rays won’t show SVT. If you have another episode , then you might consider medication. If you start having them frequently, then an ablation might be necessary. I would make sure though that it was captured on a monitor. I had it 5 years before it was diagnosed. I did have an ablation and it worked for me. 
  • jenny02938
    jenny02938 rachel_51241

    Posted

    Hi Rachel - I'm new to this whole experience as well.  Wow, that's a really high heart rate - highest resting heart rate they've captured for me is 145-150 ish.  

    Have you decided what you'll do?  I have all my tests next week (ECHO, plus heart monitor).  I'm actually on vacation now and my cardiologist told me to go - gave me meds to take before the flight.  I'm had an attack while on vacation yesterday - I got sunburned really bad and was dehydrated, I think it triggered PSVT - my resting heart rate went up to 145 and it was up and down for a few hours so I went into the ER here in Hawaii.  I'm so scared to get on the plane back home since it's over the ocean and it's 5.5 hours.  Atleast I have some pills incase it happens.  

    I was curious what pill did they give to put in your pocket it if happens again?

    I'd like to know what treatment you decide to go with.

    All the best - keep in touch.

    Jenny

    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241 jenny02938

      Posted

      Heya Jenny. 

      I wasn't sure I was going to have the ablation as suggested by the cardiologist. I have had only one attack and one test and I thought it was extreme. I was very confused as being told I have SVT and I needed a procedure done after something I thought was a one time thing was a lot to get my ahead around. Also im especially scared of medical things after having Complications with a simple operation on my wrist a few years back. However I went to my doctor yesterday to get some advice he kinda talked me around and  I guess made me see sense. So I'm really scared but have come to the conclusion that maybe the ablation is the best thing for me. The doctor said because my heart rate was very high even with someone that has SVT if I was to have another attack at that rate I could pass out etc... and could become more dangerous if I'm driving etc... sad I'm just worried I won't be able to go through it once the time approaches. For now I have been given 'Bisoprolol' I have been instructed to either take one every day or to keep in my hand bag and to take one if I have an attack. I have decided just to use it if and when I have another attack as I luckily haven't had another one since my first one. 

      Hope this helps smile all the best 

      Rachel 

    • jenny02938
      jenny02938 rachel_51241

      Posted

      Hey Rachel.  Yes, I completely understand you feel.  I keep thinking - how could this happen to me?  Honestly, if I didn't have the symptoms but only the racing heart, I might not even notice.  The 2 attacks that I've had in a 2 week period, I've had dry mouth, felt dizzy/faint, and this one is weird - had the urge to use the bathroom.  

      I'm also in the same boat with the meds - but I don't want to take them everyday.  My cardiologist told me that if I take the meds everyday, it will make me feel like "crap" since I'm active and like to do cardio 4-5 times a week.  I'm still trying to figure out my triggers - and one I do know is dehydration.  Even if I'm mildly dehydrated, I need to stay on top of water consumption.

      Is that the pill that they gave you when you were at the hospital to get it to stop?

      Thanks so much for the response - it does help.  Pls keep in touch re:  ablation - I may be in the same boat.

      Jenny

    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241 jenny02938

      Posted

      Whilst I was in the hospital first thing they did was get me to blow through the tiny hole of a syringe (I was so confused haha and it was extremely hard as I was barely conscience and thought I was going to completely pass out) that brought my heart rate down from 240 to 150 in a second, it was a crazy feeling. After that they gave me two bags of fluids and I was given medication through a IV. I was given two shots of magnesium and something else that I can't remember. After awhile my hate rate went down to 100bmp and stayed there for a few hours then I was sent home. 

    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241

      Posted

      As for triggers I'm not sure rolleyes when it happened I had been ill on and off with colds, chest infections, flu and constant fever one after the other for like three months! And I'm not a sickly person so I was really drained and super ran down. Unfortunately I'm always on the go and find it hard to rest even when unwell. So the reason I thought it happened was because my body was so, so tired and sent my heart into over drive. Hence why I thought it was a one time thing because I was so ill. Never thought it was anything more then that sad also at the time I could of possibly been dehydrated rolleyes .  

    • jenny02938
      jenny02938 rachel_51241

      Posted

      After reading this last comment you posted, when I had my first PSVT attack ER visit a couple weeks ago, the first thing the ER dr asked me if I had been ill recently. Maybe this is what triggered it for you. In my case, I wasn’t I had just stopped using a work out supplement and I’m assuming I was dehydrated. I also had a friend from work that had a teenager with mono - complained about racing heart but it’s supposedly associated - I’m only guessing there were no other symptoms (dizziness, etc) or panic. I still find it odd bc before my diagnosis my heart rate increase of course when I’m nervous or about to do a big work presentation - my hands get clammy as well but the attack the morning I called 911 was just different. Not sure why the increased heart rate would cause the different symptoms. Sorry to rant I’m over analyzing it lol
    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241 jenny02938

      Posted

      Haha you're not ranting! smile I'm over analysing this aswell haha. I always have questions or thoughts and then when I get some answers and feel okay it doesn't last long before I'm feeling anxious again. I feel like I'm over reacting and it's hard. This groups helps I have never used a forum before and talking to people that know where you are coming from and offer advice and support has been really helpful. Yea it's crazy when I think about it I have been in situations when I have had increased heart beat through being nervous or having a panic attack but nothing came of it. It didn't trigger SVT and my heart rate went down on its own. when I was having the SVT episode I had symptoms like yours. I had pure panic aswell because I was just helping myself to a drink of water then suddenly my heart was beating so fast I couldn't believe it. At first I thought I was going to be sick (I normally get palpitations when I'm about to throw up) but when the urge didn't come I knew something was wrong. I said to my partner 'I need to go hospital now' he thought I was having a panic attack (although I knew I wasn't) so I didn't go a&e for awhile (something he feels very upset about) I also had dizziness, cold sweats etc until basically I couldn't walk anymore.

    • jenny02938
      jenny02938 rachel_51241

      Posted

      I’m experiencing the same - felt good about it yesterday and today the black cloud has returned. I know that the worry doesn’t help but it’s I think about it too many times throughout the day. Now when I’m working out I’m constantly looking at my Apple Watch to monitor my heart rate - something I never worried about before. I got up to 183 yesterday when I was spinning and then I stop to make sure it goes down. Today during my workout my highest bpm went up to 175 and went down as soon as I finished my interval. Working out helps my mind and I’ll keep working out - my cardiologist and primary care physician said not to stop. My husband also keeps repeating what the cardiologist told me which was that although scary it’s not dangerous. 

      I’m also glad to have found this forum it has helped a lot. I can also understand how your partner feels - my husband was away traveling for work across the country and freaked out when he saw our home alarm cameras and an ambulance at the house - I was home alone and just glad I didn’t pass out before dialing 911.

    • rachel_51241
      rachel_51241 jenny02938

      Posted

      Oh no! Bless him he must of been so worried! I'm glad you managed to get to the hospital must of been even worse going through it on your own! Yea I think about it a lot. I'm off work at the moment so I find it bothering me more. When I'm at work I'm so busy it's hard to think about anything else. I also took my partners Fitbit so I could check mine. I was wearing it all day and night at first to keep an eye on it. Now I'm weaning myself off it. My partner calls it 'my safe place' haha! But it helps for them times I feel a bit funny. I put it on, see my heart rate is okay and feel better. 

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