Hi all
It’s been 9 months since I was diagnosed with Supraventricula Tachycardia (SVT) and associated ectopics (heart palpitations) and I thought it would be useful to list what has worked for me in understanding and managing the condition.
Prior to diagnosis I was waking bolt upright with a racing heart and initially put it down to bad dreams. Then I had a couple of bad attacks in the day time - went to A&E and no sign on ecg, follow up echo and holter and was told it was caused by stress and anxiety. I’m lucky to be in Ireland with comprehensive private medical insurance and I went for one of those ‘once a year heart health checkups’ where they did an ecg and a physical exam. Straight away they spotted that something wasn’t right and referred me for a consultation with a cardiologist. Fast forward and within 6 months I had diagnosis, medication, heart mri (no physical heart issues), and follow up consultation.
Here is what I have learned.:
1. Generally we know how our bodies feel. If something feels off then be persistent and keep asking questions.
2. A sad indictment but if you can afford it, go private and see a consultant as soon as possible. Some medications can only be prescribed by a specialist - such as Clas III anti arrhythmics. My consultation was €250 of which I got 50% refunded via my plan. The big advantage is that once you have seen a consultant privately you magically go onto their list and they are happy to see you every year for a follow up.
3. Take the medication. I’m genuinely staggered at the number of folks on here who state they have been prescribed statins, beta blockers etc who decide not to take them or to self reduce the dosage. I’m on dronedarone (Multaq) and 2.5 bisoprolol. Since starting the Multaq I’ve not had any further SVT. Since starting the bisop I’ve only had occasional ectopics and of those I’ve identified the triggers.
4. Wearable tech - my consultant and GP are both huge fans of the Apple Watch. Numerous studies have shown that the heart rate and ecg are accurate. My cardiologist immediately looked at the ecg’s on my iPhone and said ‘I think you have possible AF’ (later diagnosed as SVT). I find the tech and associated apps to be very useful for identifying ectopics and then I can usually identify triggers. I use Apple Watch, Apple, Apple Health app, Apple fitness app (workouts, health trends such as sleep, breathing, HR, VO2 max and much more), Qaly app (ecg diagnostic via AI and can diagnose 30 different heart rhythms and arrhythmias), Welltory (heart health focusing on hrv and of particular interest to me just from a curiosity and educational perspective) and finally Calm app (brilliant for meditation and much more).
5. Look after your own health - When my GP said that despite my fitness (lots of rowing on an Concept2 erg) and generally healthy lifestyle, that I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol I took immediate action. I figured that I’d enjoyed 35 years of wine (probably too much) and takeaways once a week (probably too much) and that a different phase of life needed a different approach. I gave up alcohol (I now drink 0-0 versions), I cut out processed food, and introduced lots more fish, chicken and pulses, and a bowl of porridge with skimmed milk every day to get 3g of beta glucan. I lost and have kept off 2.5 stone and I’m aiming for another 0.5 stone. BMI currently 25.5 and when at target weight will be 24.5 (healthy).
Exercise - I was gutted to give up intensive rowing due to possible SVT trigger and my heart now being beta blocked, but I’ve swapped it for power walking and I now do 4 x 90 min sessions every week with a pace of sub 9min per km.
6. Understand and manage your triggers. Yes these can be different for everyone, but these are mine.
Alcohol - doesn’t mix well with high blood pressure, anti-arrhythmic drugs or beta blockers - so I gave it up. Really easy decision and I genuinely don’t miss it and feel great for not having it any more.
Caffeine - triggered my ectopics so I removed it entirely from my diet including fizzy drinks.
Coffee decaffeinated - strange one this but definitely something in coffee no longer sits well with me. I now drink berry tea.
Eating too much - Along with healthy diet and losing weight, this has really helped to eliminate ectopics.
Eating too late - similar to above. We now eat no later then 6:30pm and allow 4 hours before going to bed. Really helped.
Drinking minimum 2 litres a day - you need to be hydrated to keep your bloods in balance. I do this with berry tea and large glasses of sugar free lime cordial. Yes you pee more but I definitely feel better for it.
Exercise - even if your heart rate is reduced due to beta blockers, keep exercising but swap out intensity for steady state. I feel so much better after a long power walk. It feels great to raise the HR into the mid 90’s instead of the usual resting heart rate of low 40’s due to beta blockers. I’ve seen a big improvement in my VO2 Max level from 38 to 48 and it’s now ‘excellent’ for my age.
7. Stress - it’s real. Great when you’re young and climbing the corporate ladder and you’re feeding off it. Not great when you’re in your 50’s - it will quite literally kill you. I have massively dialled it back at work. I make time for exercise (you have to be selfish and prioritise yourself). I take a 1 hour lunch break every day. I practice meditation and meditative breathing every day.
Results -Even though my SVT may morph into AF in later years, I feel I have taken control of my health again. BP is 110/70, no further episodes of SVT, healthy weight and all clothes fit! and in my GP’s words ‘blood results of someone in their 30’s.
Final thought - talking of bloods, I get full bloods done every 6 months because of the Multaq medication. So incredibly useful to have this reading twice a year of liver, cholesterol, vitamins etc and once a year I ask them to check PSA which they are happy to do. So much can be spotted REALLY early with a full blood check. I think. GP’s should do this for everyone once a year once over the age of 50 because the early prevention would be so beneficial.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Best wishes
Jezza
Is it possible to live with symptoms without beta blockers and just have anticoagulent? 
AF and heart rate 
1.5 weeks post AF ablation. How long are you on beta blockers? 
worried
Hospital visit for ectopics 
