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Firstly, can I say thankyou to everyone who has posted. ...

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Firstly, can I say thankyou to everyone who has posted. You have no idea how reasurring some of your comments have been. Ive been suffering with rapid heart rate since pregnancy three years ago. I had a holter fitted for three days! but no joy. Recently went to A&E, but it had stopped before I got there! They have pretty much said its SVT, but Im struggling to come to terms with. I feel a bit stupid posting because it only seems to happen once every 5 months or so, but Im terrified that Im going to have a heart attack and die - but my GP and the hospital dont seem bothered!! We're also supposed to be flying to the states in december, but I dont know if thats safe, and even if they tell me that it is, Im worried I'll have a panic attack and bring one on anyway. Any experiances to share that may help me?

:D

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5 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I too have SVT and take verapmil each day. I've had SVT for 13 years. I've been in an out of hospital and had adenosine lots. But I've just come back from a long flight to the USA and was fine! My doctor said it was fine for me to go and assured me that if anything did happen I would be able to survive quite ok until the plane touched down. Keeping calm helped. Lets face it at the worse (i.e. you are over the atlantic) it will only be about 2.5 hours before the plane can land somewhere and you should be fine with an SVT attack IF it lasts that long.

    I've also found a natural way of stopping SVT (which has stopped me going to hospital for over a year now) - putting my head in a very cold bowl/sink of water - ideally with ice. It pretty much immediately brings my heart back to normal (and thats after it is going at 240 bpm). I know this helps other people too and it comforted me that if I did get ill on the plane they'd have loads of ice due to the drinks on board.

    I rekon if you doctor says its safe to go then do it.

    Lisa.:D

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I flew five hours to Cyprus in the summer and was absoultely fine...go for it.

    Fiona

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hiya,

    I have suffered svt for many years and yeah you do feel like that it rules your life!! i miss out on so many things (fairground rides, flights abroad, going down big slides!!) in the fear that it will bring on an attack. After visiting the hosp and doc many times i always ask there advice on bringing my heart back to normal and i found the best one for me is to stay calm (i know easier said than done!!) and rub the side of your neck, also close off your mouth and nose and try blowing out, failing that try throwing up, not nice i know!! but try to remember that your heart will be fine its not going to suddenly stop and svt i have been assured by my doc is not life threatening, altho at the time of your attack you feel like you are going to die and that it may not go away. take care, take that hol, u will be fine honey!! Jill xx:cheers:

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    i have suffered svt from the age of 14 back home in tanzania tablets did work for me.but 15years later the condition is back again my doctor is giving me atenolol 50mg. i feel a bit better i will see my doctor later this month to update him how iam feeling, hopefully he will give me another medicine because iam still not feeling well.i thought i was alone but there are many people with the same condition as me it is conforting God bless.

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I have suffered from SVT and atrial fibrillation for the last 5 years. It still scares me when it happens although I have learned to stay as calm as I can. Holding your breath whilst keeping your nose and mouth shut seems to worksometimes although it has not been enough sometimes. I'm on Atenenol taking 100 mg a day which is not ideal but quite frankly the doctors do not seem to appreciate the difference this condition makes to your life.

    One of the biggest things for me is I am now scared to be on my own in case I get an attack and can't get to a phone or get help. This is strange because I used to love the occasional moments on my own and now I dread them.

    I constantly look for any help on handling this situation:

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