my first svt attack

I've had SVT for 25 years or more. Episodes that need medical intervention are rare and when they occur I call an ambulance every time. It is pretty safe to say that, if the symptoms continue for 20 mins, you are likely to need a bit of assistance in getting them under control. My best advice is to read through the entries on this site. Not only is there good advice here there is also some comfort as we are all scared when it happens.

Hiya - it is scary and, yes, when i had my first big one I called an ambulance. It is a good idea to get to hospital in the firsti ntance though, because if they can get a 12 lead ECG readout whilst the svt is happening then the cardioogist can make an accurate diagnosis of SVT and the type of SVT it is. It is really good to get this as it will inform the treatment options for you and could rule out other things. So in the first instance try and get a recording whilst it is happening. They might also go through some valsalva procedures with you that you can use to stop the attacks yourself.

Good luck and do read through some of the messages - they are really helpful.

Alex

Hi, It is scary when it lasts longer than a few minutes. Try to stay calm, which I know is really difficult. I am lucky to live 10 mins from the hospital and I am well known now as a regular. I never attempt to drive myself but if someone is available to take me I ask them before calling an ambulance. Only 3 times have I needed to call. I wouldnt hesitate though if the a and e was further away as they can record your heart in transit and give you much needed oxygen, Only sufferers of svt understand how an episode feels and how afraid you feel. I have had it for years and only just discovered this site. Try to read other peoples comments. Take care.

Jeanette

I agree with the post above suggesting going to hospital next time you have an attack to get your condition diagnosed - until you get it diagnosed you don't know what it is and how serious it is, there's many conditions which fall under the term SVT. If no one can drive you then don't feel guilty about calling an ambulance. I know technically they're for emergecies, but with a condition that happens infrequently and is often relatively short lived, it's the only way to get it diagnosed.

I had an attack that for some reason didn't affect me too badly (although my heart rate was 250 bpm) and was able to drive myself to A&E, explained to them that I had a fast heart beat which was proving difficult to capture on ECGs, and within a few minutes I was on an ECG and the next day I had a diagnosis.

Before this I'd put up with the attacks and not done anything about it for 15 years (apart from telling my GP, who predictably was no help and said the attacks were anxiety). My attacks always go away on their own after 40-90 minutes. There are also things you can try to make your heart revert to it's normal rate-

- blowing hard into the thin end of a syringe

- taking a deep breath and then holding it for 10 second

- rubbing one side of your neck

Those are really good tips, though after talking to a paramedic about this, he suggested that if you are over 40 then you should not do the neck massage outside of hospital as ideally they like to listen to the blood flow in the artery before doing it to rule out possible complications with this method.

Hope you are well

Alex

I have had SVT since i was 16, im now 23. my dotors kept telling me its due to caffine, i cut this out all together, i went to my GP many times who keep sayin it was panic attacks.

one evening i had and attack for 2 hours befor going to the hospital, my heart rate was 189, this continued for another 20 min and eventually they had to medicaly slow my heart rate down with medication.

i now have these attacks once a month from around 1-2 hours sometimes more, it taken them till now to discover its SVT.

I advise going to A&E straight away, i use to think ' i wont go and bother them, it will go on its own'

the doctore at the hospital said your heart can only stand going about 150 for so long, SO PLEASE PLEASE my advise go...dont think your wating people time

[quote:1b2405276a=\"rosa salvia\"]ive had very minor svt which lasted like 20 seconds or so for a bout two years, last night i had one that lasted 10 minutes, im only 20 and was so scared, i thought i was having a heart attack, my dad and uncle called a ambulance and they told me its most probably svt, i have to book myself a appointent with my gp now, they advised me to call a ambulance if it happens everytime, but i dont want to waste thier time, does any1 else call the ambulance out when it happens??[/quote:1b2405276a]

I have had SVt for many years, have had two oblations which have not been successful. Depending on the length of the attack, I do call an ambulance if it lasts longer than half an hour. An intravenious dose of Adenosine will work.

i know this is an old post, but I was diagnosed last December - am now on waiting list for a heart ablation. I have roughly 2 - 3 attacks every month. Am guilty of waiting for 40mins before phoning for help