hi all . is afib the same as svt ? or does it come from another part of the heart?

[moggdog]

had ablation three months ago . had an svt attack six weeks ago and another one last fri .

[BobD Volunteer]

NO. AF is when the ;left atria pulsates madly with no regular rhythm."Like a bag of worms " is a common description. SVT is where the ventricle, the pumping part, is running over speed (tachycardia) and the S for super denotes that the impulses are coming from above the ventricle not the ventricle itself. Ventriclular tachycardia as opposed to super ventricular tachycardia is altogether more serious and often accompanies a heart attack. I think that's right anyway but as always I'm not a medic.I am sure there are fact sheets on he main AFA website to better explain this.

BobD

[meadfoot]

Hi Moggdog, I hope to have this question answered in detail when I see an EP this coming Thursday evening. I agree with BobD's interpretation which was largely what I was told in hospital by the Arrhythmia nurse. I had loads of questions about it but have to wait to discuss with the EP. I have to say the AFib episodes make me feel very ill but the SVT's are even worse.

I asked my GP if I have two different arrhythmias which I assume I do have, she did not know for sure but said they both may come from the same faulty conduction point - not sure what that meant really. I will post the answer here once I have seen the EP. I am not coming out of the consultation without a clear answer even if I have to stage a sit in!!

Incidentally I have decided to go privately for the consultation as the waiting time on the NHS is proving so long I am not willing to wait any longer. Not insured now so cant afford private ablation so back to the good old NHS thereafter but I need to know I am safe in the interim.

Good luck and take care.

Regards

Dee.

[skary in reply to meadfoot]

Best of luck...looking forward to reading how you get on

nikki

[meadfoot in reply to skary]

Thanks Nikki, Just about to compile my list of questions for the consultant. I have been jotting things down as I thought of them these past few days. Dee.

[Hidden]

I have SVT super ventricular tachycardia, it was diagnosed 18 months ago, at first the medics were not sure of this but by the time the second attack came on, it was definitely diagnosed as this type. The fast heart beat was up to 200 which is not a good place to be, and overall a very frightening experience, as it would subside then continue again. I don't know what others have experienced during an attack with a different type of arrhythmia.

[moggdog in reply to Hidden]

hi ultra. wot meds are you on? are they anygood? and cant you have an ablation?

[Hidden in reply to moggdog]

Hi moggdog, initially was put on metropolol, next time sotalol this time amioderone

the metropolol didn't hold for long not too many side effects for me, sotalol, was pretty horrible, short of breath on these, amioderone couldn't sleep but I am sleeping now, as the dose is only 100mgs, not a nice drug, so I have to get tests done every 2-3 months. Reasons for no ablation was I was told that its early days and that there was no guarantee that an ablation would work... I don't want to be on any drugs or have any operation, so I am trying natural methods by myself with some research, diet etc. and am getting some acupuncture hoping this will work for me. I do relaxation which helps heaps. Hope this helps you somewhat. Ultra..Australia

[moggdog in reply to Hidden]

thanks for reply .

[Ozzysmom in reply to Hidden]

Omg, if this keeps up it is serious as it was for me ....ask the doc about an ablation. It is not chocolate it it probably the caffeine in chocolate. Supra ---upper----ventricular----- lower chambers of the heart. Ventricles. ------Tachycardia ---means fast heart beats.

Starting in the upper two chambers. Above the lower portion of the heart.

Atrial fibrillation AF ATRIUM The upper chambers of the heart Means irregular beats of the upper two sections of your heart.

Any irregular beats or chest pain sweating. Pressure neck shoulder pain pain radiating down the arm. From the neck up into the ear. I had pain radiating down into my thumb and finger.

Do not be afraid of appearing silly... Call the ambulance... Or at the very least have someone drive you... When you get to the hospital announce quite loudly. And firmly "I am having a heart attack. I am having chest pain. That way they will not put you in a corner of the waiting room. Even if it isn't your symptoms qualify you as an emergency. 99% of the time what you all are describing are serious and pre symptoms or symptoms of heart problems. Caffeine makes your heart beat faster ... If the heart is healthy that is no problem. If there is weakness or blockage then you are in trouble.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

I think the easiest way to think of it is that SVT breaks down to supra ventricular tachycardia, which simply means rapid heartbeat that originates above the ventricles.

A Fib is the most common type of SVT with the defining characteristic that the heart rate is rapid AND irregular.

[meadfoot in reply to SRMGrandma]

Thanks SRM Grandma, very helpful. After spending 5 days in hospital I still didn't get an answer to this question and I am not one to sit back and not question things. At least I am clear now before seeing an EP for the first time tomorrow evening. Regards Dee.

[Ozzysmom]

Nooooooooo!