Prolonged SVT Episodes
Posted , 4 users are following.
I was diagnosed with SVT during a nuclear stress test 3 years ago. I was having the test because of chest pain which was actually due to my gall bladder. So the SVT was sort of an accidental discovery. The doctor asked me how often I felt the flutter and at the time it was only a couple times a week for a few seconds. 48 hour monitor confirmed this. Cardiologist and heart rhythm specialist tell me it’s benign. Last year just at the point I entered menopause I started having attacks of longer duration. I was told menopause can cause this. Doctor put me on 50mg Meoprolol which helps. Still once every couple months, I’ll have an attack that lasts 5-6 hours. I’ve never been monitored during these episodes. Feels like my heart is doing flip flips in my chest. Last night I had one and I think it was triggered by being outside at a party on a very hot evening. I had one beer - I always choose a low ABV beer because alcohol is a trigger. Sometimes the SVT leads to a full blown panic attack but I stayed calm last night. None of the maneuvers I tried were helpful. Eventually I just went to bed, fell asleep on my right side. It was gone when I woke up. I’m just wondering, if I’ve been told this is benign and my heart is healthy, should I go to the ER for a prolonged attack like this? Perhaps take a second metoprolol? Guess I should ask my doctor too! ☺️
0 likes, 7 replies
nick76101 teri76755
Posted
Hi Teri
Does the "flutter"feel like a skipped beat (PAC or PVC) or is it a rapid heart rate? If it's a skipped beat, it is scary but is usually not overly serious. My docs told me that you can have thousands of those a day without harm. If it's a fast heart rate (take your pulse) and it lasts then try to get to a cardiologist not just your family doc. Hope that helps. I've been having PACs and some PVCs for 40 years and, even though they are scary, they aren't dangerous for me. Hope that helps
teri76755 nick76101
Posted
Lolasmom teri76755
Posted
When it starts, I feel a glittery feeling and boom.....it goes into taped heart rate. It is regular just fast. Then it just stops. It can be 15 minutes but the longest one was over 6 hours
I would go to emerg when it happens and get an ekg. That way it might show what kind a yacht you have
Even a monster would help. I have only had a 3 day one with no results, but a 30 day one might pick up something
I was lucky enough to get it captured on my first episide
Lolasmom teri76755
Posted
I meant a monitor might help
jimjames teri76755
Posted
Hi Teri,
I think a lot depends on how high your heart rate was, your age, your cardiac and general health. I'm a senior, and my SVT attacks go as high as 199bmp and generally last under 10 minutes. I would not chance letting my heart beat that fast for more than an hour so would go to the ER if I couldn't otherwise get the rate down with meds or valsalva. So, yes, you should ask your doctor but also use common sense.
I also recommend the Kardia Mobile or Kardia Band device which will not only give you your heart rate but will tell you if you are out of rhythm. You can then bring or email the ecg to your doctor for analysis.
Jim
teri76755 jimjames
Posted
jimjames teri76755
Posted
Hi Teri, I personally wouldn't wait all night with a HR of 140 but ask your doctor. I would also get a Kardia Mobile or Kardia Band so that you and your doctor will be able to document exactly what type of arrhythmia you are having.
Jim