SVT caused me to be obsessed with my heart rate
Posted , 3 users are following.
I was recently diagnosed with severe SVT (superventricular tachycardia) and i currently wear a holter monitor so i know someone is monitoring my heart (and it is a 24/7 service) but it has made me become SUPER obsessed with my heart rate, and its controlling my life. im lways checking it, if its jist a little too low i freak out and when im doing nothing and its way too high i freak out and it goes even higher. how can i stop this? i dont want to be constantly checking my pulse but i cant help it if i dont know it then i feel anxious
0 likes, 5 replies
matt32455 kristen50689
Posted
Hi Kirsten,
The Anxiety alone is cruel, I know from experience the physical symptoms Anxiety can present.
I have an issue with ectopic beats that causes miss beats, extra beats, a pause where th heart stops very briefly and then fire some up again. This causes me anxiety and as a comfort go to, I always check my pulse rate.
This works as a comforter for me, helping me relax, taking slow deep breaths for a minute or two to calm down again.
You need to find a calming technique that works for you. Try to recognise the onset and take slow deep breaths to calm.
You can seek counselling where they will talk you through the symptoms and help you find ways to relax.
Talk to your GP, there will be a waiting list but it might be worth getting on it.
Good luck with the SVT, I'm sure the cardiologist monitoring it will come up with effective solutions and possible ways to treat it.
Matt
kristen50689 matt32455
Posted
Hi Matt,
Anxiety is something I've always struggled with, severely (diagnosed). I was on mediction for awhile but have came off of it due to possible interactions with the medicine I take for SVT. I especially have health anxiety, I'm constantly worried something is wrong, so naturally SVT is scary for me and makes ny anxiety a ton worse, especially if I have an episode at night.
The only reason my pulse rate isn't reassuring or relaxing for me is because its always super fast or borderline slow, and I havv
kristen50689 matt32455
Posted
Sorry I dropped my phone and accidentally hit send, but I have 4-5+ different readings in under a minute or less because my heart rate fluctuates soo much.
I'm currently about to start counseling for the anxiety part, so hopefully that goes well, and thank you for taking the time to comment!
megan42488 kristen50689
Posted
I have SVT too and was diagnosed in July. I had an ablation done in August because I was obsessing over my heart rate and any palpitations I felt. Now I still am thinking about it and I check it pretty often. But I know that I am not going to have another SVT attack.
SVT is not life threatening, it’s just a pain in the ass. Just know, you can try maneuvers before you decide to see medical attention. Look up SVT maneuvers and they will go through some guides on what to do naturally when having an episode. They don’t always work but its worth a shot. Most people who have SVT are converted back to original rhythm are sent on their way as its nothing but a nuisance. I am cured of svt but do suffer from inappropriate sinus Tachycardia- just a fast normal sinus rhythm. No issues there and am on a new medication ivabradine, to control the heart rate.
If you have any questions please message me or ask questions here.
kristen50689 megan42488
Posted
Hi Megan,
SVT has been a problem for me for a long time, a few years actually, I recently just started going to a cardiologist, and have to meet with a specialist as well who has suggested electric shock (im not sure if theres a medical name for it) . Currently, I take metoprolol as need when I do have an episode, the worrisome thing is when it happens my pulse rate goes as high as 175+, I'm constantly checking it because even a simple slow walk can cause it to be 150+, just a few days ago I was standing completely still and had to sit down because it spiked to about 157 and although it took only a minute or two to go down, it was scary. Sometimes episodes last as long as a few hours for me, recently I had one last 3.5 hours and ended up going to the ER, who recommended me to my current cardiologist. My next appointment is Dec. 5th to discuss medication vs. the electric shock.