I posted about deciding to do an ablation consult the other day, I have that scheduled for Dec 30th. Well that evening the 23rd I had a new arrhythmia show up. I sent it to Kardia clinician review, and they said it was ventricular tachycardia. The sort of rhythm that when sustained can lead to ventricular fibrillation and possible cardiac arrest. Still it was short runs of just a few seconds so I was surprised by the new rhythm, but I thought it not concerning due to how brief it was. I forwarded it to my doctor anyway as that was suggested by the Kardia doctor who reviewed the ECG...
My cardiologist called me directly today when he got the message after the holiday. I was exercising at the time of his call, as I felt quite good today.
He said he is concerned. So now so am I. He strongly told me do not to stop taking my beta blocker (at the appointment on Tuesday he had told me I could stop taking it, which I hadn't actually stopped yet), and he says he wants to do a stress test now. Also strongly told me if it happens again, whether I get repeating short episodes, or anything sustained (20-30 seconds) I should immediately call 911. So I didn't finish my exercise session, as now I'm frightened.
He told me atrial fibrillation does not cause ventricular tachycardia, and he asked me if I had stopped the beta blocker. When I said no, he expressed that he found it odd that I had V Tach while on the beta blocker. He also asked if I had had any alcohol or energy drinks, no to both. I only ate more than I usually do for dinner.
I was feeling so good today, now I don't know what to think.
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ChasMartin
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I wouldn't panic too soon. I get occasional premature ventricular beats which do not concern my EP at UCSF. I went to the ER recently because I had about an hour of tachycardia followed by atrial flutter which woke me up. It looks like the answer to that was benadryl which I took for sinus congestion. Wait and see what the stress test says and watch what you put in your mouth for now.
Here is the determination by Kardia doc that prompted me to send to my cardiologist. Kardia will not make this determination on its own I had to get it from the clinician review. Hopefully this will help understanding that this is not SVT or PVCs.
Sorry to hear that but thank goodness you had a Kardia trace to send to your cardiologist who was on the ball. I think you need to absorb what was said, trust your cardiologist and go carefully in the meantime.
Eat well but less as I do wonder if your larger than normal meal could have triggered something.
It’s natural to play on your mind but until you get more information from the stress test you won’t know so patience and distraction for now……
The positives are that it was picked up and can now be treated - that’s what to think.
I have yet to arrive at a conclusion, and this may sound silly, but Im beginning to think over eating and or constipation may have something to do with the AF episodes. Like many people with AF, I'm looking at anything and everything, just an observation.
My episodes had started back up after 6 wonderful months of no episodes at all. Every time it had been seemingly because of food in my system in the evenings, so I started eating smaller and smaller meals. I didn't have an episode for a month once I started eating very little. I ate so little I lost 10 pounds in that month.
It wasn't even that much more. I'm talking, I ate maybe 4oz more food than normal when this happened, and I was already eating so little.
I do not want to play doctor or mislead anyone, but I have felt strongly since my first few experiences with Afib two years ago that gastric distress which spreads to my upper chest stimulates the Vagus nervous system in a way that triggers Afib for me.
I discovered I have Celiac disease and have avoided all gluten, along with alcohol, caffeine, gas producing vegetables and fruits and carbonated water. I went longer without Afib since then for a while, but have had a return of occurrences recently. Sleep apnea also seems to be a trigger. I am trying to deal with those two issues as a way to avoid Afib, but have had uneven success.
There are a couple of studies about the gut and Afib online which show a connection. They seem reputable, but my doctors are not really buying it.
I think they don’t buy it because for afib it doesn’t change their treatment plans. It makes sense if you think about it. But yes, more than one doctor has completely dismissed me as well in that regard.
Too many doctors go along to get along, just look at the scamdemic and how many went along for fear of being ostracized or even losing their license. There has to be some alternative to drugs and medical procedures.
I'm not in the habit of reading peoples minds, I have been know to read between the lines now and then. How about not trying to be clever and beating around the bush. I'm new here and from the looks of the number of replies I see from you, you are not. Try again to make your point.
I don't understand those of you who feel the need to bring up Covid or vaccines, using words like “scamdemic”. I also received a very long private message trying to blame my many years old condition on vaccines, and even suggesting some very dubious “treatments”. It’s annoying.
You know, I don't really give a rats hiney what you think about the greatest scam ever perpetrated on humanity. If you were as smart as you think you are you would already know that. From what I've seen in the number of replies, it would appear you think you are the AF guru. Sorry to bust your bubble, but if you are foolish enough to have swallowed the pill, I would not trust anything you have to say.
Oh boy, there it goes. Lmao. I posted here for support and I am only guru of my own experiences of my condition, thank you very much. Give it a rest. Seriously.
Do you realize how insane it is that you are trawling my profile looking at my previous posts etc? Looking for things to throw at me. Just wondering if you understand that.
You must feel like that's a curve ball but at least it's been picked up. You have a strategy if it happens again, and your cardiologist is going to look into it. Maybe change your exercise regime to something milder - go for brisk walks in nature - good for our nervous systems as well as our bodies. I think it might be good to avoid strenuous exercise until you know more.
What’s maybe odd is I’ve never had any issues with arrhythmia during exercise, I told that to the cardiologist as well. It’s always at rest in the evening or at night.
If it is ventricular tachycardia ( SVT) it can be controlled well with a combination of betablocker and an anti arrthymic drug called flecanide,or ablation proceedure to terminate it.My god daughter had it since age 3,just had ablation as she got to the magic age of 12( when it can be done)
All sorted now.
Its worrying waiting to hear whats going on,my brother is in coronary ward with mystery chest pains. We fear the unknown more than reality sometimes.
The EKG shows runs of Ventricular Tachycardia. The definitive treatment to prevent deterioration into Ventricular Fibrillation or sustained runs of Vtach and sudden death is an intracardiac defibrillator. . Other approaches can be considered but you need to be seen by an Electrophysiologist ..EP..immediately. It would be prudent to obtain an AED..Automatic Emergency Defibrillator in case the worst happens in the meantime. Beat of luck, etheral
I was doing some searching last night and learned of something called RMVT - here’s hoping that is what it is as it sounds less worrisome than the alternatives.
I just looked up RMVT. Seems to be relevant to much younger people than yourself but I guess anything is possible. I wouldn't lose any sleep over this and just wait for the cardiologist to do their tests and make a proper diagnosis. Whether it's VT or SVT or RMVT or whatever it's likely treatable or at least manageable so why worry about it? How is worrying going to help you? Enjoy your evening.
The thing I read said RMVT common to be diagnosed in your 40s. The thing that didn't fit was that it is normally during exercise that it is triggered. Mine is at rest.
I'm worrying as much as need be, as in, taking care not to eat too much and exercising less strenuously. If you look at my previous post about ablation consult you'll see the ECGs from my other episodes, as extreme as they already were. I had enough to deal with already without a new thing. At this point with how things keep morphing, of course I am somewhat concerned. Especially when I see VT - if my previously experienced near 300 bpm episodes become VT instead, I'm probably in trouble.
Why worry? First, I wouldn't call it worry, more vigilance. But Why? Because my cardiologist told me to call 911 if it happens again. Clearly, not no big deal.
I got Flecainide for AFib and as it first made my hand tremor significantly worse I stopped taking it. Some months later when I restarted it, I had black spots intermittently floating around in my right eye. This link explains a lot! healthline.com/health/drugs...
VT and SVT aren’t the same. Supra ventricular means “above the ventricles”. So that means originating in the atria. I can see where the confusion lies, though.
First time I have heard of someone so young having AF & ablation. Didn't know Someone had to be a certain age to have it done. (Bad enough when older) Guess quite a worry for the family but hopefully the ablation has helped her
It was for an arrythmia called superventricular tachycardia.She had to have 100mg flecanide twice a day. Not recommended under 12,and made up.into a syrup for her.
I don't know what the stress test involves in the States but I am not a fan of stressing a heart that already is presenting symptoms. I had a treadmill test in the UK, when I deliberately didn't push myself to the requested level. I also was not best pleased by presenting me with a disclaimer to sign just after I had got onto the treadmill before it started.
It is what it is and you're not doing yourself any favours by cheating the tests. They have been devised for a reason. That being to assist in diagnosing heart problems. It's now possible that you have a dangerous arrhythmia that has not yet been diagnosed.
He explained the purpose was to try to ensure they aren't missing any underlying heart disease before I go to ablation consult. I believe he said he is going to do an echo again as well even though my last one in January was perfect. I'm not overly concerned for the stress test, as I said I have never had an occurrence of arrhythmia during exercise, I said this to him, sort of arguing about the testing. I think it would be more apt for them to do something like an MRI tbh. I think if anything other than just my vagal nerve being wacky, there's something strange going on, maybe even something pressing on my heart when my stomach is full. Who knows.
I had a stress test recently which was done by injecting a drug to speed the heart up and another to slow it down then a CT Scan. Not like the one I had some years previously with treadmill. More restful!
This confusion often arises on the forum. I know you are just trying to reassure, but your wife's condition, paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) is a largely benign condition of the atria.
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a different and much more potentially dangerous animal.
I'm sorry to read that and hope she gets the long term relief she deserves, poor thing. I use the term 'benign' to mean non-life threatening, rather then to trivialise the horrible symptoms.
okay I have PAF and none sustained ventricular tachycardia. It is different than SVT.
This is due to muscle damage from stemi. My cardiologist did the same as yours. When he saw it on a 5 day ECG. And yes it scared me. But when I saw my EP I’m totally reassured. As long as it’s the none sustained type. He also told me that if it becomes sustained as even though I have muscle damage my ejection fraction of 46% means as long as I get straight to a&e I should be safe.
As for bisoprolol I need to stay on it so we’ve reduced it from 7.5 to 5. As an overly slow heart rate can aggravate it.
Whilst I was waiting to see an EP the cardiologist told me to taper back my exercise a bit. As this can aggravate it. But after seeing EP I’m increasing exercising again.
Ohhh also anxiety is a big aggravating factor. Do you have that anyway? These things don’t cause it but aggravate the arrhythmia’s you have.
It’s hard I know. When you are thinking your managing what you’ve got and then you get thrown another curve ball.
Many thanks for your comment. There seems to be much confusion about SVT. Likely because you can have Supra Ventricular Tachycardia or Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia. The latter being the more dangerous and undesirable type. However, both types can be successfully managed with lifestyle, medication, implantable devices or ultimately, cardiac ablation. So having Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia does not have to mean a death sentence.
Yes, my cardiologists notes mention NSVT - what concerned him was that it was more than 20 beats of it in a row. He said that if it were 2 or 3 beats he would be less concerned. I have decided to do yoga only for the time being and am avoiding cardio. I do not have anxiety. I did at one point many years ago for a time due to some crazy life circumstances but things have been calm for many years now. Thank you for your comment it was quite helpful and best to you!
No wonder you are all at sea. But your cardiologist is on the case, follow his advice and it'll get sorted out. On the plus side they are taking it seriously and seeing to it quickly. Sending best wishes to you from England xx
Good afternoon ChasMartin and all. I found this excellent technical article on Ventricular Tachycardia treatment with ablation. It shows that the arrhythmia is well understood by cardiologists and that effective treatment is possible. Bear in mind that the article was published 15 years ago and since then there have been significant advances in our understanding of Ventricular Tachycardia, ablation technologies and other treatment options.
I was quite lucky to catch it. I had experienced more than one run of it, and they were so short. So I got ready and I kept doing ECGs and happened to catch one after quite a few tries. The majority of that 30 second one I posted was perfect sinus rhythm, the VT was less than 10 seconds.
I have a pacemaker and can't use a Kardia because of the magnetism. I just have to go by an oximeter and blood pressure machine which has my pulse rate on it. They just confirm how l am feeling but no details like a Kardia. I think people with a.f. should have regular checks. No chance of that . Weare just left to our own devices ( no pun intended ).
drugs to treat vtach could help. In the mean time first order of business is to have an intracardiac defibrillator, stress test next if your ep wishes . Ablation would be the real treatment. As I always said you need an expert ablationist ep here who did many ablations already for vtach. Dr. Natale is on my list since he is very familiar with vtach too. Vtach is unpredictable so make a plan to keep it under control right away.
I don’t know what your meaning is, maybe you care to explain?
I’ve recorded many episodes for years and none had this rhythm. I am always symptomatic. This felt very much like the sense of doom about to faint , pressure in head, chest pressure, that I get with my near 300bpm episodes, however it was coming in very short bursts, which was out of the ordinary. So yes, I immediately thought something different was happening, I was able to confirm it with the Kardia.
Presumably you ask this question because you are one of those luckier AF 'sufferers' who actually don't suffer at all because you have no symptoms. Most really do suffer because we feel every beat, thump, lurch and quiver. We don't need a device to tell us we have a jazz drummer in our chest instead of a Rolex!
I see - you suffer with symptomatic arrythmias yourself, but reading this forum you learn that there are several different types and wonder how more experienced sufferers differentiate between them.
They all need to be diagnosed by way of ECG (EKG in the US), but many sufferers are able to feel and identify some of the more obvious ones once they know what they are.
Let's say, for example, someone is diagnosed with Atrial Flutter and PACs. They will feel a fast, fluttering burst of activity for the former, and missed or extra beats for the latter.
However, I have PACs and PVCs and in terms of symptoms there is no way of telling them apart.
Hi ChasMartin. I was pleased to read your post as I was starting to think I am on the wrong forum. I have very similar symptoms to you like your non-sustained vt and it only happening at rest. We have NSVT and occasional bouts of sustained VT (not the same as SVT). I was visiting England on holiday this October when I started having the feeling I was about to faint, although I never fainted. This feeling happened first thing in the morning 5 days in a row, but once while on a long motorway drive (scary).
I went to A&E on the 5 day and was admitted. They did an echo, angio and mri but decided to fit an ILR and put me on Bisoprolol and Ramipril.
I had another ecg last week and my trace was clean as a whistle with zero ectopics which is amazing.
Is there a forum for Vtach? I'm fairly sure I don't have Afib
I don't think there is a forum specifically for VT (or any other specific arrhythmias besides AF), but I also don't think you will be unwelcome here or out of place. There's quite a few people on here with various arrhythmias, and the treatments are similar/same in regard to most of them, so we all go through similar things.
It happening when driving or something of that sort is one of my fears, fortunately I rarely drive anywhere in the evenings, which is when my episodes hit.
Sounds like things are looking up for you atm, wishing you much SR!
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