Introduction

[fembum52]

My name is Debbie, i am a Health Professional, few years ago i had episodes of SVT or Sub ventricular Tachycardia, heart beating very fast up to 188 beats per minute. I had series of tests and investigation nothing found. Worried a lot because my dad and 2 sisters died of heart related conditions, so i like to know more. I am so worried.

[Hidden]

Debbie i had minor heart attack i had heart rate 153bpm was put on bisoprol 2.5mg heart rate now controlled. I would ring bhf helpline talk cardiac nurse advise on this may be get 2nd opinion and another 24 holter test may be beta blocker may help not qualified give advicce but worth ringing heart line fabulous cardiac nurses advised me wish well debbie there number on bhf website trust me good ring best luck debbie

[Simontaylormills]

I have SVT where my heart beats up the 153bpm, it's uncomfortable and catches me short of breath.

I simply rest for a few minutes after an episode. I've suffered them for years and am now 52.

[Twobells]

I lived with SVT for years, but this is an electrical fault in the wiring of your heart. Mine became a nuisance when it started happening every single day. I eventually had an ablation in 2015 and its been a sucess. This procedure was done via angiogram where they seal the wiring bit that's causing it to beat very fast. I was told that the fast heart rate is the heart missing a beat then it thinks what's going on, it then tricks itself in believing it needs fixing, but over reacts causing the fast heart rate. When mine didn't slowdown after 30 minutes I would go to casualty have a drug called adenizine( stops the heart) then adrenalin to restart it. Sounds very scary, but when you feel your heart is going at such speed it's worth doing. Hope this helps

[David_Sheppard]

Hi Debbie,

I’ve suffered with SVT most of my life and had a major heart attack 8 months ago. I’ve been told that the heart attack was unrelated to SVT and that the SVT is actually caused by the hearts electrical circuitry taking short cuts through hairline tissue fibre that can grow from your. It’s an abnormality but is harmless. I’ve had heart rates of over 200bpm and can last a few minutes to a coup,e of hours... I’ve had to call ambulances a few times but I usually get my heart to return to normal sinus rhythm by doing the vagal manoeuvre.

I suggest easing back on caffeine, make sure you get plenty of sleep as these were triggers for me. But most importantly, go see a specialist and see if you can have an ablation.... I’m due mine in 6 month time and should stop it from happening as there’s a 95% success rate. And of course, get yourself checked for the same heart issues your sisters and dad suffered from.

Best of luck.

[fembum52 in reply to David_Sheppard]

Thank you so much.. I appreciate your advice,I have appointment in 2weeks..many thanks

[Helen_BHF]

Hi Debbie, if you're worried you can always contact our cardiac nurses at the BHF. They can talk through your concerns with you: bhf.org.uk/heart-health/how... Hope this helps and keep us updated on how your appointment goes

[Hidden]

I had my first major ep of SVT in 2009 and was put on medication after needing adenosine to get it back to normal following an hour at 240bpm. They’ve never found a cause for mine either, sometimes it ‘just happens’, although I am having some other symptoms at the moment and I’m waiting for an appt. I was advised to avoid several food stuffs and it’s definitely helped me - caffeine, white and dark chocolate, ginger and some cough mixtures are all things that are known to be possible triggers and that do tend to get my heart racing now even in small quantities. Covonia cough syrup set me off once. I’ve only had one other major episode requiring intervention and that was triggered by lidocaine given at the dentist so I could have a filling, so now I always make sure that I have adrenaline-free local anaesthetics if I need them. More minor episodes tend to pass by themselves for me.

It’s not nice or fun when it happens, but it is generally manageable. Good luck.