SVT new diagnosis

[YogaHealth]

Hello. I am 46 and very healthy. I have been having bad palpitations for 3 years. Always had them but they were never debilitating or caused me to have to adjust my lifestyle. Now they are intense. Following a halter monitor, they picked up a run of 8beats at 199bpm of SVT. And occasional PVC’s. I am really worried about this. Could the increase be down to Peri-menopause? I have been having hot flushes for a number of years and the palpitations have been worse since. Also. Does this mean I was born with a dysfunctional heart, circuit wise, or can STVs appear in a normal heart without extra pathways? I have had a normal echocardiogram. Hospital discharged me with option to refer back if I want but have had no other explanation other than what I have written above.

[Latchmead]

I was diagnosed last year with SVT. I'm 54 and yes my cardiologist confirmed it was due to perimenopaus. I've been perfectly healthy until this point. I'm taking 80mg of verapamil morning and night which blocks the sensation of the palpitations, over 200 bpm. It has been suggested that once I'm through the menopause my symptoms should stop. I've had every test imaginable as my lifestyle wasn't conducive to heart issues, never smoked, non drinker, eat healthy. Both of my parents have heart issues my dad had a triple bypass at 55. I've not inherited anything from my parents, my cholesterol is low I've had AAA checked as my nan died from this, I've not got blocked arteries and my thyroid is ok. The only test that showed any problems was the hormone spike that was triggering the SVT. At the moment I'm happy to control with medication. If it gets worse then I have been told I'd need an SVT ablation but if I can hang on and see if it sorts itself out once I'm through the menopause I will. Hope this helps

[YogaHealth in reply to Latchmead]

Thank you for your reply. I haven’t had the opportunity of explaining anything to my cardiologist. I am going to insist that I go back. I have been awake most of the night again. So worried. How long do your episodes last. Mine was just 8 beats. I get horrible skipped beats that send a shock feeling throughout my body and can make me jump. I feel that the more active I get the more my body feels like it is ‘on the edge’ I teach yoga full time and this has happened more since I started that. Not sure if it is the extra physical activity. My GP said no further action needed. My mum passed suddenly at 52. They couldn’t be sure why. This is also playing in my mind.

[Latchmead in reply to YogaHealth]

I don't want to scare you but my worst episode lasted 3 hours. Mine also happens either in the evening or during the night. It's got nothing to do with physical activity. Mine would typically happen on a day when I haven't done very much. Mine also wake me up during the night, for some reason normally around 3.00 a.m. I was hospitalised for 11 days as one attack was so severe it released Troponin in my blood. I had a reading of 532 which indicates that I had a heart attack. However, I have no damage to my heart, it really was just one of those things. During the day I'd get what I call a hop skip and a Jump with the rhythm of the heart which I can deal with. My episodes normally last half an hour. I find deep breathing helps. One of reasons I take the Verapamil is its an inhibitor and it prevents me feeling the SVT sensations and symptoms, it still happens but I don't always feel it unless I happen to look at my fit bit and see my heart racing. As long as all the other tests come back clear you just need to be monitored as I am every six months unless anything changes. Once I knew I hadn't inherited anything from my parents /grandparents I was a bit happier. Apparently it is a common thing for us ladies to experience during menopause just some of us are unfortunate to have it worse than others.

I paid to have a private consultation with Dr Rohan Jagathesan, consultant Cardiologist at The Rivers hospital, he explained everything to me and said this condition does not shorten life expectancy. My heart attack was a type II, which happened because my heart was starved of oxygen, due to the SVT, you need to take medication to control this.

My GP who is amazing told me I'm to have an annual mot each year during my birthday month and six monthly cardiologist appointments, and to chase the hospital if they are overdue.

If you are not happy or are worried go back to your GP for a referral and yes, insist, don't give up until you are happy you've got all the answers, and ask about medications to help with SVT.

I also have high blood pressure as a result of the SVT but I'm being monitored weekly and my medication is being adjusted until they get that under control so I do feel like I'm being looked after.

Make a list of all your questions you want answered and I asked my Consultant to write to me with everything he had explained as it doesn't always sink in and it's good to be able to absorb the information.

Good luck

[YogaHealth in reply to Latchmead]

Thank you for that. I would rather not take meds if I don’t need to. Have booked a private consultation with York cardiology tomorrow and will see what he says. The hospital discharged me in their words ‘due to the cost to the nhs and waiting lists’ this didn’t put me at ease.

[daisy2311]

I'm 36 and have SVT. This condition is not always caused by the usual suspects...smoking...overweight etc. I barely drink, am a normal weight and never smoked a cigarette in my life. It can be genetic but different factors, such as hormones, stress or excessive caffeine can bring it on. What I would say is if your heart rate is going up to 199 beats per minute for an extended duration, go to A & E. I was told by an A & E doctor to do the same if it carries on for 30 minutes or more, as your heart is effectively running a marathon. I personally don't wait.. I go straight away as they usually have to bring my rate down with IV drugs. Perhaps you could speak to your doctor about medication, such as Bisoprolol, to help control the episodes.

[YogaHealth in reply to daisy2311]

Thank you for your reply. The episode lasted 8 beats so a matter of 2.5 seconds by my calculation. X

[Dottyboodaisy]

This maybe no help, I had my svt diagnosed in 2012. I found cutting Caffeine helps, no more Diet Coke

Too. I was lucky enough to have an oblation in 2013 after a year of recovery. I’m now back in good health. My svt was due to persistent flu 😷

Hope you get some answers

[Ianc2]

try getting your sugar and (most importantly) your insulin levels measured. It is quite possible to have normal sugar levels while your insulin levels are increasing rapidly, as it ties to manage your sugar intake.

[Lola555]

I was diagnosed with SVT a year ago. When you consider yourself to be healthy and live a healthy lifestyle it comes as a real shock to have your heart misbehaving. I’m a vegetarian, rarely drink and have switched to decaf tea and coffee but still regularly go into SVT. My issue is my heart rate drops very low straight afterwards. I think stress is my trigger. The cardiologist is trying different beta blockers but they seem to make my heart rate too low. I’m at Glenfield hospital tomorrow for a consultation about having an ablation. I’m off work currently as I tend to pass out and too many ambulances have been called already. I feel like it’s taking over my life, though I try hard not to allow it to.

[YogaHealth in reply to Lola555]

I am so sorry to hear you are suffering so badly. I have booked a private consultation tomorrow with a cardiologist. Mine seem hormone related and not as bad as yours. They seem to flutter rather than run away for very long. I suffer from anxiety and have had a lot of trauma in my life. I feel like my heart is telling me to be kind to myself and not to take any more rubbish. I do yoga and walk every day. Eat really well and am very fit. So yes it is a shock. I am hoping it is a temporary thing while my hormones regulate themselves. 🙏

Has anyobe else had them during menopause or Peri menopause and they have calmed down or stopped after that?

[Lola555 in reply to YogaHealth]

Hope you get some answers from your consultation tomorrow 😊

[YogaHealth in reply to Lola555]

Thank you lovely. Xx