SVT and Afib

[Janeybur]

Hello again - this is probably a silly question, but a 14 day Zio patch revealed multiple non sustained bouts of SVT. In normal sinus rhythm the whole time. Is my Afib under the umbrella of SVT or is this something different?

A bit of background -

in Nov 2020 i had a severe but short afib attack - about 10 hours, vertigo, vomiting, loose stools and was hospitalised by ambulance ( i was then 54 years old) Vertigo went on for around two weeks later but no meds prescribed. In June 2023 after Covid i again had an afib episode - couldn't capture it on an EGC at the A&E as i had waited 6 hours and in that time i had converted to NSR. Again no meds and told to go home and get some TLC!!

On paying to see an EP in April last year after waiting for a NHS appointment since August he did all appropriate tests( including Zio patch as above) and prescribed Bisoprolol 1.25mg per day for what he termed an excitable heart and that if asked i was to say i had AF controlled with medication.

Hence the question is SVT the header and afib, atrial flutter and excitable heart the consequence of this?

I did ask him and didn't really get an understandable response. So asking those with practical experience of an Afib life!.......

[BobD Volunteer]

SVT is supra ventricular tachycardia . In other words fast heat beat being driven by signals coming from supra, above, the ventricle ie the atrium.

AF is a chaotic irregular rhythm caused by rogue signals coming from the (left ) atrium. The former is regular the latter irregularly irregular. Both are arrhythmias and may share a common cause.

Hope that helps.

[Janeybur in reply to BobD]

Thank you, it does help greatly

[ForensicFairy]

SVT is normally sinus. So it’s a normal rhythm, but higher than 100bpm and originating from the atria. It’s not dangerous unless you have structural issues of your heart, and it occurs at a rapid rate for long periods of time.

[ibuputih]

Hi - had to respond as I was also told by my cardiologist that I had an excitable heart. I thought he was just being ‘jokey’ - but perhaps not.

I started off with ‘normal’ AFib - had a very successful cryoablation and 4 years later had an episode of SVT that involved an ambulance and a few hours in A and E. Loads of tests and Cardiologist thought it was a one off. Same thing happened a year later. More tests, yet another Zio and the ‘excitable heart’ diagnosis along with prescription of Bisoprolol and Edoxaban as I was almost at the 65yo point. Zio only showed a couple of very minor SVT runs lasting seconds over the week.

Touching wood and not tempting providence but the Bisoprolol seems to do the trick. I’ve always been convinced that all these issues are vagal based, so have smaller meals and steer clear of certain food combinations that cause my stomach to revolt!! So far so good - just the odd and extremely brief ‘whizz’ very very occasionally.

Doesn’t answer your question but had to reply to another ‘excitable heart’ 💓

[Janeybur in reply to ibuputih]

Thank you - I too thought it hilarious when the EP used 'excitable heart' as a description, but find that the symptoms are not quite as funny. I am trying a diet full of anti inflammatory foods, no UPF and avoiding sugary things. Anything is worth a try. He recommended reduction in stress, but the 21st century is hardly compatible with that.

I hope you remain 'whizz' free

XX

[Lamadre]

I can sympathise with this, cardiologist said I had an irritable heart! The jumps and bumps are certainly irritating in the extreme and although I’m assured ectopics are normal they make me feel horrible and anxious. I envisage them just limbering up for an Afib episode 🤬 Lack of sleep is a big trigger for me. I have a Kardia mobile which I find useful. Take care all.