Useful technique for SVT attacks

What are svt attacks exactly?

Hi, I've had SVT for about 33 years now.  It wasn't until I was in my 20's when I was formally diagnosed. Up until that time, they kept saying I was having panic attacks, but I knew that wasn't what it was.  Over the years after being diagnosed, I would continue to see my cardiologist and was eventually put on medication to help lessen the episodes.  My episodes were daily and eventually became so bad that it was difficult to get ready in the morning without having to lay down to take breaks between putting on my makeup and getting dressed. I was/am a healthy weight, but wasn't always great about keeping up a continuous exercise regime.  Eventually, I married and got pregnant. At that time, I had to go off the medication for the safety of my child and I was considered high risk, so visiting my OB every 3 days. 6 weeks prior to my due date, I had an episode while on the heart monitor at my OB and I was hospitalized in the ICU for the duration of my pregnancy.  The OB ran a few tests and found that I had a very rare thing called Pheochromacytoma (a tumor on my adrenal gland). This tumor basically sends a rush of adrenalin through the body and helps to cause the SVT. I had to have an emergency c-section and 2 weeks later had the tumor excised. My life changed dramatically after that - no medication and am able to get ready in the morning without laying down. The SVT has slowly returned (but no pheochromacytoma), but not nearly as bad as it once was. Over the years, I've found that reducing caffeine, and reducing alcohol definitely helps. A big Thanksgiving dinner will almost always trigger an episode. I've started exercising regularly using DailyBurn because it allows me to do it in my home on my own time - I finally exercise regularly (i.e. daily). I've also started taking L-carnitine supplement which is helpful for heart arythmias (approved by cardiologist). All of these things in combination have helped dramatically, but I do still experience the occasional episode. I will be visiting my cardiologist in the next week to discuss going back on medication - beta blockers. I haven't yet decided if I'll do it because I've been able to reduce my episodes a great deal by eating healthy consistently, exercising and taking L-Carnitine. This is a great forum to read about all the little things that everyone does to help make an episode go away - I can honestly say I've done just about all of them - short of dunking my head in ice water  Please do consider regular exercise, getting yourself on a clean and balanced diet and talk to your cardiologist/doctor about taking an L-Carnitine supplement.

Hope it helps!

Shauna

 

I stumbled onto this website looking for different treatments for my SVT.  I'm 71 and have had episodes for the last 10 years. It wasn't diagnosed until 4 years ago when I had 2 espisodes almost back to back when I had my knee replaced in the hospital. Was put on a beta-blocker, Metopol 25 mg, twice daily. Never really stopped having episodes, maybe once or twice a month. Only way to find out if the drug is helping is to stop taking it and see if there is an increase. I do not have high blood pressure which I believe is Metopol's primary use.

I've tried the vagal manoeuvres with limited sucess. What eventualy works for me is to ly down in a recliner, breath slowly and  deeply and wait for it to pass.  Usually takes 2 to 4 hours and wipes me out for the rest of the day

I have 2 questions.  The first, is  there  another beta-blocker that might work better?  The second is has anyone tried an over the counter electrical stimulator that is used for an injury or pain management?  The device could be placed directly over the heart or around the neck under the jaw area to stimulate the carotid sinus in order to reset the heart by giving it a little "shock."  I'm thinking of buying one and giving it a try the next time I have an episode.  I really don't want a catheter ablation even if it is low risk.  Thank you.

Russell

I am 64 and have had svt for a long time. Over the years my episodes started to become more often and symptoms much worse with vomiting and  stomach upset.  My cardiologist had me on Metoprolol 75mg per day. I too am using this for my high blood pressure. This medicine makes me very tired so I went off it   (with cardiologists consent I weaned off the med). Svt returned and now I'm back on the metoprolol. So far I've not had another   attack but blood pressure is still not real good. Any solution you find please share. 

This is a reply to Russell and Cathy.  Breathing and body positioning techniques have helped substantial numbers of SVT people, including me.  Have you tried Web searching? A recent youtube demonstrates a modified Valslva technique of particular promise.  I hope you both do well. 

I've been going round in circles trying to find out what is happening to me (palpitations/missed beats/flutter) and this technique seems to be similar to one that helps to calm the vagus nerve (which I believe to be the cause of my symptoms). I am having a 24hr monitor next week so will see what that shows, then I may get doc to tell me how to wean off the beta blockers.