Hi,
Just diagnosed with SVT, it seems to kick in when running, and I'm really pushing myself, nearing my max heart rate. I'm 41 years old otherwise healthy, would be interested in other peoples experience of thia, especially provoked by exercise.
Cheers
Hi linesman. I've got SVT too. Started nearly 8 years ago, first symptoms were feeling generally rough, bit of chest pain, and a pulse that seemed to miss beats. It took a couple of years to get really under control as the usual pills didn't seem to agree with me to well. Wretched side effects. Metropolol and Bisoprolol were tried first, but I was eventually put on Flecainide and that for me worked really well. Unfortunately the decision to put a patient on that drug could only be made with the approval of a consultant, so it took a bit of time and a couple of hospital appointments. Once I was on a drug that worked for me, life was normal.
I've been prescribed Bisoprolol, only 1.25 mg. What sort of side effects did you experience?
Oh that is a tricky question. After nearly seven years I regret that I can't recall any detail. Just that it didn't suit me and as all the drugs that a GP can prescribe without hospital consultant approval, my GP referred me to a consultant for considering something more exotic, and no doubt expensive. Hence Flecainide. I would advise you to read that bit of paper inside the packet of pills that most people never look at. Look for the listed side effects and watch out for them. It takes time for the body to adjust to a new medication so don't expect your GP to change drugs every month or two! No drug is going to be totally perfect, so to some extent you can't expect life to be as it was before the problems started. It might be, but it ain't guaranteed.
Strangely mine only seems to kick in under strenuous exercise, my stress test showed < 20 seconds when I was over 181 BPM. It seems to be consistent with the two other times it's happened, I'd everything else is normal I'm tempted to just live with it
Usual side effects from bisoprolol can be tiredness and breathlessness but it’s not always the case and you are on the lowest dose so you may not feel a lot. You should see a drop in BP and probably a slower heart rate (although I’m guessing yours is probably pretty slow already). The other side effect may be cold extremities (fingers and toes ). Bjsoprolol is one of the most commonly prescribed meds and is generally well tolerated
Steve
I am 35 and take Bisoprolol 5mg for SVT. It is good advice to read the leaflet inside the tablet box. The drug is generally well tolerated. When I first went on it about 7 months ago, I had horrible side effects for about 4 days and then it was fine. I have had 4 SVT events since 2011. The only reason I was put on tablets is because last year I had 2 events within about a month. My heart rate goes up to 190ish and they have to bring it down with a drug. Mine is always at rest. I exercise regularly and don't have any problems. I am on a waiting list for ablation but don't think I will go ahead, it seems a big ordeal when it's not essential. The consultant said to me that I could take tablets, do nothing or have ablation. The tablets give me the extra assurance that the events will be minimised.
Hi, yes feel your pain, mine can kick off at rest or during exercise reaching dizzy heights of 200 ++ literally! Like you it started at 41 and at 43 I’m still struggling to control it, nothing has worked so far and it’s exhausting. Don’t know about you but I find exercise much harder as if pushing through a wall and if I really exert myself, the next day I feel washed out! Anyway I have been told now not to push too hard as it puts a lot of strain on the heart, so it’s little and often now.
Good Luck and don’t push yourself too hard 👍
I have had SVT for years and I can usually stop heart racing by doing the Modified Vagal Manoevre ..but there is a limit to where you can do this. A 74yr old woman kicking her legs in the air in the Home section of M & S is not good. Occasionally when it is racing at about 180 and I haven't stopped it myself within an hour I have to go to A & E for adenosine. But since being on bisoprolol these occasions are thankfully rare. Mine is linked to digestive track.
Hi - I had SVT for a few years - at first once every few months for a few minutes but the more and more often and for longer., Cardiologist advised me to go to A&E mid episode to get them to record it which I did. Various methods sometimes stopped it at home but once had adenosine (?) in A&E - awful stuff but it worked. My SVTs were always when I hadn’t slept well or had a lot on my mind. Started to affect my lifestyle e.g didn’t go to cousins funeral in LA as was worried the jet lag would bring on SVT. Final straw was SVT which lasted 14 hours. Had ablation a year ago and was the best thing I did all year. Have had no episodes since! Oh, was in Bisoprolol 5mg pre-ablation but now on 2.5mg.
I have SVT and had prolonged episodes several times a day, interspersed with shorter spells throughout the day and night. I was on 7.5 Bisoprolol but had side effects...terrible sweating in particular. I was changed to Verapamil 240 slow release (a calcium channel blocker) and it's been great. I do still get some breakthroughs, but they're only for maybe 15-20 seconds or so. Previously I was getting lots of premature beats, which could trigger SVT, but those have calmed down a lot too.
I have SVT which was aggravated terribly by menopause. Have experienced it when exercising and hr shot up to 210. My episodes can be several times a day often when resting typically hr goes upto between 140 to 170 from resting of bout 56 . On Bisoporol 2.5 daily which makes me feel awful. Had heart stress MRI due to chest pain and been told today have narrowing in artery and need angiogram. Already booked in 2nd July for electrophysiology study and ablation.
Diagnosed with svt last week, need support 
SVT ablation next week
SVT Peescribed Verapamil 
SVT, certain triggers and prognosis
