Does this sound like AF? I already have SVT diagnosed recently.

[HowMyHeartSings]

I was diagnosed with SVT about 8 weeks ago - I've had four episodes, the first 18 months ago was misdiagnosed as a panic attack. I've managed to convert myself with the other three. However last night I had a fluttering sensation in my chest all night long (I got almost no sleep) - I thought it was the beginning of another SVT episode but it never came - it was accompanied by slight light headedness, periods of my body running hot restlessness, and the need to frequently urinate: I had to go about 5 or 6 times in the night. I spoke to a cardio nurse today who said this sounded like AF. If I have it again I'll get an ECG for a proper diagnosis - do SVT and AF go together sometimes? I'm currently on 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol but somewhat anxious now about what I may need if I do have AF too. Any advice or experience greatly appreciated.

[wilsond]

Hello

Are you under the care of a cardiologist for the svt? It might be a good idea to contact him/her with a summary of your new symptoms. It can be tricky trying to catch an AF episode on ecgs,but there are other options (recorder device worn for set amount of time etc)

It sounds similar to AF ,especial!y the frequent urination. AF is manageable with medication,dietary changes/improvements,lifesty!e changes etc.The main risk is stroke,and depending on your health and score on a scale used by medical professionals,you might need an anticoagulant. Personally I believe all AF clubbers oight to be on anticoagulants!

This forum is a great support.There is a patient leaflet on here too which is very useful.

[Chameleons]

Hi

I was diagnosed with SVT (AVNRT) and put on bisoprolol, whilst taking the bisoprolol I began having the exact same sensations as you, only at night though, it feels like the top of my heart is fluttering fast, but the rest of my heart stays steady, my pulse is steady, about 90 BPM, so definitely not in SVT. It's a terrible feeling and wakes me up throughout the night. I thought it would disappear once I had ablation for the SVT, but it's not! My ablation was 4 months ago and as far as the SVT goes it's been successful, I've had no fast heart rate, but I now get this horrible fluttery feeling every night.

I'm due to see the consultant who performed my ablation in September, so I'm going to see what he says about this 'new' arrythmia, I'm hoping it's just part of the ablation recovery, I'll keep you updated with what he says.

[HowMyHeartSings in reply to Chameleons]

Thanks, fingers crossed for you - still debating an ablation for my SVT.

[Chameleons in reply to HowMyHeartSings]

I don't regret having the ablation as the SVT was debilitating, heart rate of 260+BPM, episodes becoming more frequent and lasting longer, the final episode happened in work and I got carted off to resus in an ambulance with the shock pads on me!

The flutters I'm experiencing now are nothing compared to that fast heart rate.

Please consider the ablation as my experience of SVT is that it gets worse with age ( I had my first episode at 18, I'm 48 now). I feel like I put up with it for years when it could've easily been cured with ablation.

[Kaz747]

Sounds like it could be. I was diagnosed with SVT 3 years ago, then MAT (Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia) then last year went into Atrial Flutter which needed an emergency cardioversion. A couple of months later I went back into Flutter. I was in an ambulance hooked up to a heart monitor when it morphed into AF.

[daveygravey]

I would suggest you looking into buying a Kardia device from Alivecor ($100). You can take EKG's with the device whenever you feel symptoms and then email the output to your care giver. I had a case of Afib in May and then nothing until 3 days ago. I put my fingers on the device and it clearly showed that the chest flutter was Premature Ventricular Contractions, about every fifth beat. I emailed the graph to my physician and he modivfied my medications via telephone and now they are gone. It is a good device.

[HowMyHeartSings in reply to daveygravey]

Great, thank you - I’ve just ordered it.

[bigbearatthecave]

Well, I am not a doctor but do get paroxsymal AF, however I know that many times this can be caused by an underlying problem, but the number one trigger is stress and the more you think about it the worse it gets. My turning point for AF was a doctors message board like this and the guy said call him and i did in the USA - he said you are not going to die from it and as soon as you accept that it will calm down - two months later it did. I was put on metoprolol at first and still got occasional AF, however then I was moved to Bisoprolol and would say at 2.5mg i was a zomby, on 1.25 mg , i have had no AF for 18 months and no side effects. So i would say don't worry let it settle down. And in bed is the worst, you hear that little thumper that gets louder and louder and you listen to it more and off you go - drives you nuts, so turn over and ignore it , and as we say in Yorkshire count sheep !