Svt

[LMor]

Hi. This is my first post on this page. I had an svt attack on Thursday and was rushed to hospital with a heart rate of 250 for two hours. I stayed in hospital for 10hrs and they let me go saying they would do me an urgent referral to the heart specialist. They would have a 7 day monitor fitted and arrange a scan and to see about the ablation. I have not heard anything yet and not sure what they mean by urgent referral. My hearts been beating erratic since and to be fair it was before the attack. It constantly feels like it’s missing a beat and is causing me to be breathless and minor chest pain. Should I see my Gp? Is it likely to be serious? I am concerned as I have other conditions on top of this

[BobD Volunteer]

Arrhythmias are quite alarming as we all know here. If I were you I would see my GP just to get an update and his re-assurance. Referrals, even urgent ones can take a few weeks once you have been discharged from hospital I fear.

Unfortunately this forum majors on Atrial fibrillation which is a different type of arrhythmia so I can't sign post you to any literature on SVT but if your heart is irregularly irregular you may also have AF in which case AF Association is the place to find fact sheets.. The Holter monitor will show whatever is going on anyway and the echocardiogram will show if there is any mechanical problem with your heart.

[LMor in reply to BobD]

Thank you very much for your response

[ijan]

Hi, Can't help with direct experience, but googled SVT, ablation, UK, and came up with this link to a NHS fact sheet.

nhs.uk/conditions/supravent...

Good luck,

Jan

[LMor in reply to ijan]

Thank you 😊

[meadfoot]

I have SVT too as well as af. It's an alarming condition symptom wise. I would ask GP for reassurance and ask if they can contact hospital to hurry your appointment. If you are very concerned and can afford to pay you could ask to be referred for a private appointment to get the ball rolling.

Also your GP could organise some cardiac tests to progress things for you.

Chest pain and SVT tend to go together as I have found to my displeasure. They will get you sorted and on track.

[LMor in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you. I will try and see my GP tomorrow.

[RichMert]

Just to add, they carried out SVT and AF ablation during my second visit so, they could resolve both issues at same time for you.

[LMor in reply to RichMert]

Well I rang my doctors this morning 160 times for an appointment and couldn’t get one!! So frustrating. My heart is all over the place again today. It’s so frightening (which isn’t like me at all). Every beat that it feels like it misses is getting longer and longer and making me breathless and cough for some strange reason. Did u feel like that?

[RichMert]

Yes you do tend to cough with it. I would call an ambulance. Do not feel bad about it, they will have a go at you if you sit on a heart problem. There are many reasons for doing this, firstly you will get an ECG during the incident which will reveal whether you have AF in addition to SVT. Secondly it will speed up the process for getting you fixed.

Finally. Whilst they will say that stressing will only make the situation worse, ignore that, your SVT and PAF will switch on and off as it feels like. Please do not add the stigma of anxiety or stress as being the cause since trust me, you are not to blame. I found that going for a walk sometimes clicks you back into NSR. Oh, and that need to go to the toilet every 15 minutes during SVT is normal and confirms what you already knew, you are going over 100.

You do not say how old you are. This is important as you may need to be put on blood thinners as a precaution since your SVT's are lasting for a couple of hours.

You are in good hands here as we have all been where you are now. Priority number one for you right now is to get that irregular beat on an ECG print out. Ask for a copy so that you can show it to your consultant once your Doctor pulls his / her finger out.

[LMor in reply to RichMert]

Thank you for your response. I’m at home. Just waiting for my partner to get back. I’m 46 but don’t tell anyone lol. I know this has nothing to do with stress as like you say it comes on at anytime and can go just as quick. I just don’t know what to do with the ambulance. If it doesn’t stop beating the way it is then maybe I will have to. I really don’t want to go to hospital again :-(. You’ve been very helpful and I’m extremely grateful for your help. I really am

[RichMert in reply to LMor]

OK same age as I was when SVT started. The SVT would occur on a 6 month to 1 year gap but then turned to PAF 3 years later. Age wise they would consider you as a low stroke risk although other factors have to be considered. You need to get to see a consultant who will perform other tests and decide on the best form of drug treatment whilst you are waiting for the ablation. Do not stress over going to hospital, I should not say this but it all adds to your ablation wait time being reduced. Yes they can get rid of you by giving you a pack of drugs and telling you to come back if it doesn't work but like me, at 46, your consultant would prefer an alternative to taking drugs for the rest of your life. I went through B-Z on the drugs list and yes, they save A being the worst to last. It all comes down to the frequency of events and drugs may be a solution if events are infrequent (and if they work for you).

[LMor in reply to RichMert]

Hi. Sorry I should of mentioned that I’ve had these since I was a little girl but I didn’t tell anyone. They only used to last 10-30 minutes but now they last for 2-3 hours. I’m actually at the doctors now waiting for my appointment

[RichMert in reply to LMor]

SVT is common for teenagers. My SVT would last for 2 hours, it was hard work.

[LMor in reply to RichMert]

Hi. Just wanted to say that my appointment for the scan and monitor came today for this Monday. I count myself very lucky that it’s come so quickly :-).

[Padayn01 in reply to LMor]

Hi I had an SVT on Xmas day heart beat was at 235 beats per min was in hospital for 2 nights now on Bisraprol 2.5 mg also have severe anxiety had an echocardiogram and awaiting Cardiology appointment did they not give you any medication when released from hospital?

[LMor in reply to Padayn01]

Hi. They offered me medication but I chose not to because of the possible side effects. I’ve had svt since I was a little girl so at my age now I didn’t want to start them as I also have other health conditions, I opted for the ablation instead.....so far so good and the surgeon said it was a success. It’s very frightening having episodes of svt and especially when you end up in hospital and given adenosine.....how are you finding the medication?

[Padayn01 in reply to LMor]

To tell the the truth the 3.75 mg of Bisraprol really made me feel like a zombie but now reduced to 2.5 I’m getting used to it a bit better the thing also is I suffer with extreme anxiety so the Bisraprol helps with that also but I understand you not wanting to go on them and very glad for that the ablation was a success, when I was in hospital they were also going to give me a ablation but said there was no damage on the heart. Can I just ask you if you don’t mind what are your triggers for SVT? cause I’m still trying to work out what my triggers are many thanks

[LMor in reply to Padayn01]

Absolutely nothing triggers mine. Because I’ve had them all my life, my surgeon said it was a birth defect.....my last one literally happened as I walked into my bedroom. Is svt new to you? I know anxiety can be a trigger, caffeine, stress etc but mine are so random and happened anytime

[LMor in reply to LMor]

Hopefully I will never have another now I’ve had the ablation 😀

[Padayn01 in reply to LMor]

Thanks for your reply, my first ever one was on Xmas day as soon as I woke up, I also read that anxiety is a trigger but I r been suffering with anxiety for almost 15 years I done drink caffeine and given up alcohol for almost 5 years it’s horrible having SVT I just want to try my best to avoid it again but don’t want to be on Bisraprol forever.

[LMor in reply to Padayn01]

What is your normal daily heart rate? If you have anxiety and you find it’s helping that as well, then I would definitely say carry on. The option of having an ablation will always be there for you if you decide the medication is not what you want. I would also say, try not to worry as worrying won’t help (I do understand that’s easier said then done) Find out as much info as you can....this site is full of very knowledgeable people and I am very grateful for all the help I’ve been given in the past

[Padayn01 in reply to LMor]

My daily heart rate with the Bisraprol is now 62 bpm, trying to beat this anxiety it’s just it gets so bad it’s awful but you are right this site is fabulous with wonderful people on here I’m truly grateful for every reply I had 🙏🏼