Useful technique for SVT attacks

I'd like to share a discovery I've made for dealing with SVT. I've had severe attacks of SVT almost daily for forty years but have only been on Flecainide for the last eighteen. It helped, but I have some of the unpleasant side effects and still had attacks quite frequently. Three years ago, I decided to stop drinking all caffeine (as this is known to make the heart beat faster), absolutely no coffee - which I love - and no tea except fruit, herbal or redbush, which is what I drink most. Little or no alcohol. This has worked like a dream for me. I very seldom get any attacks now and when I do, they are much less severe. I also find that lack of sleep can bring on attacks. I'm trying to persuade my doctor to lower the dose of Flecainide. It may not work for everyone, but it's worth a try.

I've had SVT since birth and am now 57 have been able to manage my attacks by bearing down and holding my breath,until recently when i just could not stop it. Ambulance called and taken to AE for an injection which

stopped it. The cardiologist has increased my Bisoprolol from 2.5 to 5mg i also take Ramipril 1.25mg.

Haven't had an attack since that i can't stop myself but my energies very low and my heart keeps flippingand thumping. Going to ask for a ablation as i'm finding this very difficult to cope with. Things that have

helped are, No caffeine No alcohol No chocolate and get plenty of sleep.

I have been suffering from SVT for 17 years I read this a while ago I have just had an attack and remembered it tried it and it worked! I'm so happy I didn't have to ring an ambulance and suffer the horrible adenosene injection and prob be in hospital till god knows what time as it is now 2am!I have never been able to stop it myself so thank you!!!!!!

Hi Simon thanks a mil for tat I get this attacks only during my sleepvwhich wakes me up an odd time I get during day and they frighten d crap out of me but I'm going t try tat wat u said n I'm pray in it works;

I have to try that one. Thanks for the tip!

Lying on my left side also trigger SVT to me sometimes. 

The only way I´m able to revert SVT (when I´m actually able to do it) is by doing negative breathing, i.e. when I expel the air I concentrate in the belly and let the force of the breathing move to the lower belly, as far down as possible.This corresponds to a movement of increasing the belly when expeling the air,

In the smaller episodes this always works for me. So you might want to give it a try either.

 

Hi

Thanks for sharing. I  have been having attacks like this for 5 years now. Last one was last night and lasted 4 hours or more leaving me washed out. I have tried neck massage, bearing down, lying with legs up etc but nothing works. Mine seems to just correct itself with a feeling like a dull thump in the lower ribs region. I hate the feeling. It makes me feel dizzy, sick and gives me a sore neck and chest. Everytime I head off to A&E my attack stops and they have never been recorded.

I will try your technique next time - hopefully wont happen for another week or so.

Cat

 

Thank you for your suggestion. I will try it next time I have an attack (although I'm hoping NOT to have one soon/ever). Usually when I get one, it is REAL BAD! There is no maneuver that could help. My heartbeats go up to 226 b/m as soon as I get them. So, all i have to do is call an ambulance and get the infamous shot . And - because I live in the US and have no insurance - $8,500 US dollars later I'm back home like nothing happened, and without a near-future solution to this.

It is very hard on me, as I have a little girl who loves to run and jump... and I just can't do that anymore without getting a severe attack.

I have cut all caffeine out of my life completely and it definitely helps a great deal!!

Have you tried cardio workout? I really want to start exercising, but I'm afraid it'll trigger an attack. So, I just wanted to ask if any of you has any experience/advice you could share...

Thank you for advice, again. And will try it next time I feel an attack coming on.

I found out I get SVT from sedatives for surgeries; and since then they have been re-occurring more frequently with triggers I am still learning about. 

Many ideas have helped me from this forum, but I have one to add because resting on my side at work is frowned upon. 

BENEDRYL really helps me. It can sometimes take a while to stop the SVT but it shortens the duration of the episode  and lengthens the distance between them. One pill every 12 hours for me until it stops coming back. I like the Walgreen's bulk brand the best. Their blister packs are impossible to get into without a sharp object. 

I avoid alcohol, caffeine and extreme heat. Stay hydrated. My preference is a good brand of coconut water mixed with a fruit juice I have on hand. Light exercise helps everything. The pool is my preference. 

I found out I get SVT from sedatives for surgeries; and since then they have been re-occurring more frequently with triggers I am still learning about. 

Many ideas have helped me from this forum, but I have one to add because resting on my side at work is frowned upon. 

BENEDRYL really helps me. It can sometimes take a while to stop the SVT but it shortens the duration of the episode  and lengthens the distance between them. One pill every 12 hours for me until it stops coming back. I like the Walgreen's bulk brand the best. Their blister packs are impossible to get into without a sharp object. 

I avoid alcohol, caffeine and extreme heat. Stay hydrated. My preference is a good brand of coconut water mixed with a fruit juice I have on hand. Light exercise helps everything. The pool is my preference. 

Prevent SVT by staying hydrated. You don't need a proceedure done, and if you stay hydrated, you will NOT get SVT. That's a fact. I haven't had an episode since i realized it was caused from dehydration. I drink alcohol, eat what i want, exersize and have ZERO issues. Stay hydrated!!