1. Community
  2. Heart Health
  3. Supraventricular Tachycardia

I have SVT can I die from this?

Posted , 7 users are following.

ashley_14340
ashley_14340

I'm 19 years old and was diagnosed with SVT last year with 180-200bpm at the hospital for 14 hours until they restarted my heart with an injection. I am on a waiting list for key hold surgery to burn some circuits around my heart but I'm very afraid as I don't feel my heart go fast much I've only had one SVT attack since then my daily problems are palpitations a little dizziness and out of breath when talking or walking short distances. So I'm not sure whether to go ahead with surgery as I could come out worse off? I have asked if I can die and live a shorter life my doctor said no. But I'm reading things online that say it's likely to die from heart failure with having svt. I just want a few questions answered. Thank you

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • ciaran33745
    ciaran33745 ashley_14340

    Posted

    Hi Ashley, sorry to hear you have SVT.

    But the good news is that nowadays there are proven medications for bringing SVT under control so that you can live a pretty normal life.

    There is also a very low risk procedure known as an 'ablation' which can eliminate it altogether, for good, for the vast majority of patients medical specialists consider suitable for the operation.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing the 'keyhole surgery' you mentioned is the ablation procedure?

    I had that done almost four years ago and have not had a single SVT episode since. I would strongly recommend it. 

    I had SVT for about 15 years, and very bad SVT prior to the ablation. As far as I am aware, it is extremely rare to even have a heart attack from SVT, let alone die from it. I don't know the exact statistics, but I would guess that if you are a typical SVT patient, then you are probably more likely to die from a freak accident completely unconnected to SVT.

    Much has been posted on this forum about the ablation procedure. Its really no big deal, and in my opinion the whole thing was no worse than just one SVT episode of the same length smile

    Have a look around the posts on 'SVT' on this forum. Its a safe place that is not just full of hard or sad cases like you might get from just googling 'SVT' on the web. Its realistic stuff from people like yourself that have it or once had it. 

    When you've done that come back to ask anything you like!

    All the best

     

    • ashley_14340
      ashley_14340 ciaran33745

      Posted

      Thank you very much for replying! Yes the ablation was what I meant smile you've made me feel so much better knowing I can't die from this and I will continue to read up on having SVT on this website it's much better than google haha. Defiantly considering going through with the ablation. Thanks again
  • paullie
    paullie ashley_14340

    Posted

    Hi Ashley,

    I've never been told by my Dr. that it is life threatening..scary yes but not life threatening! I never chose to do the surgery (ablation) ..but others here have. Hopefully they can give you advice on that.

  • ciaran33745
    ciaran33745 ashley_14340

    Posted

    Hi again Ashley, great to hear that some of the fear is gone away!

    Unfortunately some fear, and panic!, go hand in hand with SVT because when our hearts beat so fast its a natural reaction to expect something really bad is happening. Then that fear and panic! help to keep our hearts beating fast!

    When you remember that although its horrible IT WONT KILL YOU you calm a bit and get more in control.......

    Nicer still would be to get rid of it for good with an ablation.

    I only wish I had mine years earlier.......it was like being released from prison.

    The medics will only do an ablation it they are almost certain it will work and that it will not harm your heart.

    If you don't find enough through browsing let me know and I'll bore you with a talk about the before, during (conscious throughout), and after of my one.

  • hilary31799
    hilary31799 ashley_14340

    Posted

    I have had SVT for many years and have been told that it is not dangerous to my heart. My consultant said it was just like running a marathon sitting down and it would go off eventually. I have a tablet called Flecanide to take if an attack lasts too long.

    Now that I know it is not that dangerous and I don't need to rush to have the horrible Adenosine injection,I worry far less when it comes on and it stops a lot sooner now that I am relaxed. I was told that I could have the

    keyhole surgery ablation if SVT affected my daily life. It seems to be quite a simple procedure.  

    If you have palpitations and are short of breath every day you may be anxious and  need  something else.  Have beta blockers been suggested?

    There are lots of techniques for trying to stop SVT attacks. It's worth looking those up online.

    You really don't need to worry.

     

  • anita12280
    anita12280 ashley_14340

    Posted

    HI Ashley    i have had the ablation no more svt and no more injection  to restart my heart i asked if i could die and he said no my heart use to beat 300 to 400 bpm so i no how you feel have the op you will feel better
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.