I ended up in the ER last night via ambulance because of a sudden heart rate of 198 -- it literally felt like it was beating out of my chest. I was breathless and panicky. I was told it was SVT, which I never had, and was given a drip of various drugs. It went down to 150, then finally six hours later my usual 52. I recently posted on this forum asking if asthma medications (Advair along with a cortisone allergy shot) could trigger a-fib, as I had a recent episode of that, and some of you confirmed it. It's notable that I had taken a puff of Advair just 15 minutes before the SVT attack last night. The cardiologist on duty wasn't an EP and couldn't answer my questions, but I know you kind people can, until I see my EP on the 14th. Is 198 a very high rate? Does it damage the heart going so strongly? And does SVT originate from a different location in the heart than a-fib? It was the worst health experience I've ever had. Thanks for any comments.
Very Scary SVT.: I ended up in the ER... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Very Scary SVT.
Its incredibly scary as I know from personal experience. I have hit 298 beats per minute during these episodes and believe me I thought I was dying, indeed briefly I wished I would die to get away from the horrendous experience.
The chest pain was indescribable which spread to the rest of my body. My calves were so painful and even under my feet not to mention the pain in my jaw, arms and torso. I was put on IV flecainide and morphine and was experiencing near syncope every few beats as my heart could not pump effectively. A cardiac registrar sat on my bed holding my hand and looking at the monitor telling me each time the syncope was coming. I dread such events recurring.
If you can ascertain any triggers to avoid that would be good but thats not an easy ask unless one thing causes the episodes each time. Allegedly my heart hasnt sustained long term damage according to my EP. I hope you can find help as these episodes are terrifying. Its hard not to be dreading another one occuring and can damage quality of life by forever dreading them. Unless you have experienced these its hard to imagine how awful they are. Best wishes.
That sounds utterly terrifying, my sympathies. Fortunately I have never experienced anything remotely as you describe.
since the end of April I have experienced at least into the 150s and sometimes since then and now apparently I had a heart attack. They found it on the EKG but because of all the pain I have been having how was I to know what was what? I am so sad that so many of us are far from feeling great. Before I was diagnosed I had no idea what a fib was or how bad. When I don’t know what to say it a People I give a hug so I’m giving a hug to everyone now that is as frustrated as I am
Oh my goodness, what you described is just horrible. It's a helpless feeling, as though your heart isn't really a part of "you" -- it has a mind of its own. I'm sure my trigger is the medication for my newly-diagnosed seasonal asthma. I've since stopped using it, but I also feel that it's an unusually active pollen season here in northeast Ohio in the States and that has much to do with it. I hope you're okay now and on the mend. Thanks for replying.
Thank you. I hope finding a medicinal trigger means you can change it and hopefully resolve the situation. Best wishes for a quieter heart future.
Thanks meadfoot. Stay well.
My god daughter has had SVT since the age of 3, and is awaiting an ablation now she is 12. Scary indeed,but we are hopeful it will be resolved, and we are told SVT is relatively easy to ablate.
Hopefully you will get an action plan soon and see a way forward. These arrythmias are so horrible!
Thanks so much for your reply. Arrythmias are indeed horrible! I hope your god daughter gets her problem taken care of soon so she can live a happy and carefree life. Best wishes.
hi Snowgirl, I fainted many times before my SVT was diagnosed. Fortunately, the last time it happened I was actually in the cardiology department bringing back my 7 day Holter. In fact I was still wearing it when it happened. I was whipped onto the ward and put on a full sized ECG. M heart rate was about 250. A few weeks later I was ablated and haven’t had a single episode since.
SVT is relatively straightforward to ablate since it originates in the right auricle (right upper chamber of the heart) and normally there is just a single extra electrical rogue circuit to eliminate.
I was so relieved to have it done because apart from the embarrassment of waking up several times with my head in someone’s lap, I was unable to drive until it was sorted.
Hope yours is resolved soon.
Thanks so much for your response, Maggimunro. Yours was certainly an epic situation, fainting so often, but fortunately right there in the cardiology department! It's good to know that there's only one electrical rogue circuit to ablate, if that's to eventually be the case with me. You had me laughing at your mention of waking up with your head in someone's lap -- it must have been embarrassing and bewildering, to say the least! Thanks for your well wishes, and the same to you.
Me again, but with a different name... Some time ago I have unsubscribed and promissed never to come back again, since my post "Have you noticed" was deleted by admin. In it, with the pseudoname "Steelheart", I have warned the community that we have more and more people here with bradycardia or PVCs, who, from time to time, make the trip in SVT.
What is dangerous, is that most of us are diagnosed with AF and are inclined to believe that we have a bout of AF, while it is actually SVT. The difference in this two arrhythmias is huge. Unfortunatelly, the symptoms are simmilar, especially regarding the increase in HR. Like the last time, I will not mention the possible cause of the problem, but will warn you not to suggest to medical stuff that it is most probably AF, in the course not to mislead them.
My intention was to be a silent reader, but this time I could not resist... Will try not to comment again.
Understood, and thanks again for your information.
I can't help but so hope you are feeling better and get appropriate treatment.
That's very kind of you, and thank you so much.
such a high heart rate is dangerous for your life. With the treatment for asthma Afib and SVT will come back so to keep treating you for asthma you might think to go with an ablation with a highly experienced ep. Advair is well know to cause Afib. Cortisone thru the losss of potassium and magnesium thru the kidneys can cause SVT and Afib or any kind of cardiac arrhythmia. In the future when you got cortisone shot for allergies., usually it is a long lasting form of cortisone. So please compensate the loss of magnesium by supplements and the loss of potassium with prescribed potassium supplements. I would take V8 low sodium since you are in the States. And follow a low sodium diet for a month after the cortisone shot since it cause water retention and by this mechanism high blood pressure too. Water retention distends the left and right atriums and might cause the arrhythmia too.
Thanks for your detailed response -- I appreciate all the information and will take it to heart.
Ah Snowgirl, so sorry to hear this and sounds so frightening too. Looks like the SVT might be easy to fix if it's more than a one-off. Is your asthma severe? Could it be helped via alternative approaches if the meds have this effect?
Thinking of you.
Hi Singwell -- It certainly blew my mind, that's for sure. No, my asthma isn't severe; in fact I'm not even sure it was properly diagnosed. I'm sure my seasonal allergies have much to do with it (pollen is particularly bad in northeast Ohio this time of year) and of course my big furry cat doesn't help much. I've since gotten some mullein (verbascum) tea from Amazon to clear the respiratory system. I have a big art event to go to tomorrow -- all outdoors in the wilderness. Keeping fingers crossed! Thanks for thinking of me.
Hi
Oh Dear.
Wow. 198 is too high. I had an avge day H/R of 185 and they left
me uncontrolled.
Then I went to a private heart specialist and I dropped 105 h/r day in 2 hrs with 180mg Diltriazem.
Within 3 days requested change down to 120mg Diltriazem am and 2.5 Bisoprolol pm and Bingo
123/72. 77-88 day. 47 night (Never changed)
But I had Embolic Ischaemic Stroke 2am.
Now Pradaza is being questioned re 33% risk of Heart Attack!
I had reduced Pradaza to 110mg x twice day because my Stroke triage team put me on that whereas being transferred and discharged from another hospital put it up to 150mg x twice day. I get a hard rash on front not itchy.
It is important that we keep in the loop of new research about our drugs.
Pradaza and al others have a well-known risk of internal bleeding regardless.
Now with this new threat why cant we have all the info to decide which risk we want: -
With AF controlled H/R possible clot which could cause another clot
or haemorhage due to anti-coagulants and now heart attacks.
33% is higher than the stroke risk.
Food for thought.
Glad when I found the difference in my PRADAXA after 2 years 3 months I was livered and changed my dr when she said no to changing.
cheers JOY. 73. (NZ)
My goodness, you had a hard time of it. I certainly hope you're feeling better now and everything is under control. Thanks for responding.
Hi
I feel I was lucky that I was in hospital and that doing the Carotid Arteries Scan showed a shadow on my thyroid. No tests showed anything and I did not have any lumps.
I am heaps moving forward.
I like that I am able to stretch my self to walk more.
I had another op in March taking the J&Johnson ugly mesh out. A 2003 TVT op was causing me inflammation and ultimately damage .. that can cause AF.
Thanx. I know my lot sounds bad but I'm through it and on the other side.
Cheers JOY. 73. (NZ)
Good to hear. Stay well.
I've had SVT for 6 years and no, 198 isn't high for me while exercising. Yesterday it went up to 204 while I was climbing a steep hill on my trike. I've found that SVT is controllable with exercise and diet. To the point where the events are only about twice a week. Lifestyle is important though. Avoid stress and Always go to bed at the same time and get a good nights sleep. Take some exercise every day even if it's only a 10 min walk. York Cardiologist has a video on exercise to reduce AF. It's in this post. healthunlocked.com/afassoci... I'm 78 now.
All the best.
Roy
Thanks for your welcomed advice, and I'll take it to heart!
Hi
Sounds good and is helpful.
MOVE however you can. I agree.
I'm steadily growing in energy. I want to keep being a sprightly 80. I'm 73 young.
I great healthy diet with beetroot, salmon, brazil nuts (2), few leafy greens, and I love King Oscar sardines. Full all grain oats in water. Stay hydrated and dd beans, legumes to your diet.
There are many healthy items.
cheri JOY. 73. (NZ)
Unfortunately I suffer badly with IBS so have to be on a low FODMAP diet so can't eat beetroot, beans or peas. Oats and sardines are great though.👍
All the best.
Roy
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