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Useful technique for SVT attacks

Posted , 85 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi, just had an SVT attack and thought I would share with you all the technique that just worked for me, and it's worked twice before as well.

Basically you just lay on your right hand side, curl up into a bit of ball (ie knees tucked up and head forwards, fetal position) and then just completely relax, make sure you're horizontal, especially your head and neck. Don't know why it works, but it seems like for me it does. Funnily enough lying on my left hand side can sometimes trigger SVT. Weird eh?

I had already tried the 'breath in deeply and hold your breath for 10 seconds' and 'breath out hard through a narrow tube' methods and they didn't help.

Anyway, remember it and hopefully it might help someone.

Simon.

17 likes, 170 replies

170 Replies

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  • davejey
    davejey

    Posted

    Hi, The only way I could deal with an attack was to lie down flat on the carpet and relax completely and make sure I am aware of my regular breathing. Usually after 5 or ten minutes it would reset.

    Cheers thanks for starting this post. davejey

  • davejey
    davejey

    Posted

    Sorry I should have wrote 'lie on my stomach', cheers davejey
  • fred20
    fred20

    Posted

    i have a hard in lower bowel and it could be digestion problem i am suffering.
  • duncan2dg
    duncan2dg

    Posted

    Thanks for posting your experiences and alternative remedies.

    I've had SVT for about 6 years now, and 2 ablations. The last ablation was in November last year, and I've had 2 attacks since, I can only get rid of the attack through taking a beta blocker. It's really annoying and only comes on during exercise. Maybe I should stop exercising! Anyway this has turned into a small rant so I'll stop now. Thanks for posting the alternative remedies.

  • pat67
    pat67

    Edited

    I've had SVT for 40 years long before the medical world knew what it was. No pattern to length of time or how often. Sometimes 8 hours long and other times only minutes. Today it went on for hours. In the end I followed some advice on this page and dunked my face into ice cold water. MAGIC it worked. Thank you. II tried other things first. Lying on my back then right side and also holding my breath. Great !!!!
    • Missy5263
      Missy5263 pat67

      Posted

      I know this was over a year ago but hoping this reaches you. You've had a lot experience with svt. I just had my first one over a month ago and my second one yesterday. I'm 35, the first I went to the hospital and they sent me home a couple of hours later ( it had stopped before I got there). My second one yesterday I was able to stop by lying on my back, however last night I woke up very dizzy I'm assuming from low blood pressure. Do you have any symptoms afterwards? I'm new to this...
    • delia9
      delia9 Missy5263

      Posted

      Hey Missy....   Im not Pat but if i can help

      I usually feel drained after an episode. Kind of wiped out.

      Legs are weak, a little dizzy, and shakey.  It doesnt ever seem to last very long but I do sit down for a while and try to relax.

  • delia9
    delia9

    Edited

    I have had SVT for 25 years now. It never gets any easier. I live in the US and am so glad I found a forum like this. Crazy as it sounds ( and I wouldnt wish in on anyone) but Its nice to know im not alone. I will try the fetal position manuever. Ive tried Ice and it doesnt work for me... Maybe if someone would throw it in my face? Usually bearing down or taking 1/2 of my beta blocker helps after 20 minutes or so. Had an episode earlier today but since I was at the grocery store at the time i dont think I could lie down on the floor. Haha Thanks guys!
  • christine249
    christine249

    Edited

    Very glad to have found this site. I live in Australia, am a 56 year old female. Diagnosed with SVT November 2012. I did'nt know what was happening. This has affected my life already. I am a nurse, i look after people not the other way around. I am struggling with this SVT and take my hat off to those of you who have had it for years. I thankyou for the fetal position maneuver. Have started on beta blocker medication, so fingers crossed I will feel safe enough to look after my grandson now.
  • victoria90
    victoria90

    Posted

    My son suffers from svt since in the womb and even though he is on a mixture of heart meds including flecanide oral solution, the main thing to note when trying to break the svt attack is that you want to give the body a shock to interrupt the heart beat circuit , such as holding your breath for short periods or submersing your face in to a bucket of ice cold water or either holding a ice pack to the forehead area for a few minutes will ease the rate of the svt attack.
    • agnes13884
      agnes13884 victoria90

      Posted

      Hi Victoria, my daughter was diagnosed with svt while I was pregnant and born by c-section at 29+6. She is now 5 months and taking both propranolol and digoxin. I would be grateful if you could let me know how your son is doing now and if he is still taking medication?

      Thanks, Agnes

  • christine249
    christine249

    Posted

    Thankyou to victoria90, you would think being a nurse i would know what to do, lol. I am willing to try anything to stop theses attacks. Weird part, since starting beta blockers my pulse is a steady 64 to 68 beats per minute, but am still experiencing the dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath approx 2 to 3 times a day. Starting to think it is all my imagination smile
    • jess35473
      jess35473 christine249

      Posted

      Hi Christine249, I have had SVT for just over a year now. I am 23 years old. I was put on beta blockers and experience the dizziness, shortness or breath as well, a couple of times a day. My specialist reduced my dosage and the dizziness and shortness of breath significantly reduced but I had another SVT episode shortly after. Horrible side affects.
    • laurie161984
      laurie161984 christine249

      Posted

      I know this is an old post but has anyone felt light headed/ weird pressure in their head? I've had an SVT episode heart rate was 203 just sitting down eating lunch. I was taken to the hospital because I didn't know what was going on. That's when I was diagnosed with SVT. This happened a month ago. I am still shaky, lightheaded and have this weird pressure in my head.

    • linda90194
      linda90194 laurie161984

      Posted

      I had an episode at 175, was nauseated, dizzy, thought I was going to pass out but the symptoms went away when my heart rate got back to normal. You should consult your doctor if you are still having symptoms. 
    • Lolasmom
      Lolasmom linda90194

      Posted

      Hi Linda,

      How long do your episodes usually last   and how often do you have them?

      Do you know what kind of SVT you have?

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