So I seen my ep again cause I had to go to er for tachycardia (fast heart rate normal rythym) and now he wants to do test with a portable monitor for two weeks he is sure its not svt anymore but he said what I have isn't fatal but if he doesn't know what it is how can he know if I'll be okay?? Help advice please??
Thx lulu
Hi Lulu
If it is an electrical problem, which tachycardia is along with AF and SVT, then it is completely different from a heart attack which is life threatening.
AF and other arrythmias can 'feel' as though it is life threatening but it really is not. The biggest threat for AF sufferers is the higher possibility of a clot forming in the appendage of the atria which then travels to the brain causing a stroke which is why so many people here are anti coagulated. This is one of the things that your doctors will advise you about, if not ask.
The portable monitor sounds like an excellent idea and will show up exactly what is going on with your heart although for some people as soon as the monitor is put on, the events go on holiday and you are perfectly fine.
Please be reassured that your doctor is trying to reassure you that although it will make you feel very poorly, arrythmias will not kill you. Once the arrythmias, if that is what they are, are captured on a trace then your doctor will be able to offer you a treatment plan. Wearing the device for a couple of weeks is a bit uncomfortable and tedious but nothing more than that.
Being anxious is perfectly normal when you don't know what is going on. The best advice I can offer is to inform yourself, knowledge is power. Understand what is happening to you and do something to help your anxiety as stress and anxiety is a known trigger for arrythmias. Relaxation techniques, CBT, meditation, yoga, music, painting, anything that gives you pleasure will be effective including Mindfulness techniques.
I speak from experience as every person on this site has been where you are now and we are all here to tell our tales. I developed AF about 10 years ago, have survived many, many episodes of AF and AFl, tachycardia and ectopics and am still alive and kicking. And after treatment am currently free of all episodes and have been since March.
Very best wishes CD
Thank you for these comments. I've just read them after having an AF attack in the early hours of the morning and they have helped me gain a better sense of perspective on my illness.
You are welcome, my attacks usually started in the early hours as well. Do you find that sleeping on one side is a trigger?
Sorry you had a rough night.
Not sure about sleeping position. I have been relatively free of AF attacks until the last couple of months when I've started getting minor bouts in the early hours of the morning. It's slightly disconcerting as they seem to be increasing in frequency from once a week to three or four and, as you probably find, it does disrupt your sleep! At least I don't get them in the daytime and I have a promise of an appointment with a view to ablation at some time in the future.
Lovely post there! I was told years ago that there are three things to understand about AF and arrhythmias. 1) they won't kill you, 2) they wont kill you and 3) they won't kill you. HOWEVER (and my English master always told me not to start a sentence with however) sometimes it might feel like it.!!! So long as you are properly risk assessed and if necessary anticoagulated there is no real problem so long as the arrhythmia is not permanent in which case over a long period it may cause changes to the heart which are not a good idea. There is little evidence that AF shortens life.
A 14 day event monitor rather than a 48 hour holter monitor is a much better idea as whilst it is not permanently recording it gives you the facility to record any events you may have in that period. It works on a short loop so that should you have an event and press the panic button it has already recorded a minute or so and continues to record for another two. A diary is often used to note these collected pieces of data which can be downloaded over the phone to the hospital in some cases. At least that is how mine worked.
Bob
I have had 4 episodes now in a period of 20 months
My triggers seem to be Dehydration, Low in Magnesium and Doing too much throughout the day.
Seems Im not bright enough to keep it at bay. 
Triggers are just that, they are not causing AF. I have yet to meet anyone who is 'bright' enough to keep episodes at bay themselves although a radical change of diet seems to have helped some. Personally I tried everything and anything and the only thing that worked was PVI ablation, but I was too long in giving in and accepting that maybe the medical approach might just work.
I hope you're feeling bit better now Lulu - CDreamer is absolutely right, we all go through the awful fear that what we have is going to be fatal, and it takes time for it to sink in that it isn't, with proper treatment. I found it very comforting to realise so many other people have the same problem and manage really well. The monitor is a great idea, and hopefully will identify what you've got - and that will allow the doctors to find the best treatment for you. Be hopeful - they're on the track of what's happening... Wishing you all the best!
Lis
I am yet to have monitoring because I'm Travelling.
Hard to workout how it works if you are on medication to slow your heart rate??
I had a 24 hour holter (one of many) and I have multi conditions including tachycardia on the holtor it recorded a low HB of 35 and a high of 169 hb . I used to have an average of 150 to now it is an average of 120 with tablets. I do also have PH which does explain the Tachycardia in part.
I was diagnosed AF/tachycardia in 1992 still here annoying people.
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