SVT? Sinus tachy? Or something else

[Sasical]

Hello,

For the past 3 years my heart rate shoots up when I need a bowel movement and then after it slows down.

But for the past year approx I've been having episodes where my heart rate for no reason suddenly goes up to 150-160, it's a really strong beat and I shake and sweat like crazy, it lasts about 10-15 mins and gradually comes down.

I have been to the ER various times with this but by the time they do the EKG I'm usually down to around 90 and it's sinus rithm. I've also had ECG, all normal. Bought a 6 lead Kardia, shown results to cardiologists, he said some are a bit difficult to read but most are sinus tachycardia.

The last times this has happened to me it has been while exercising, so I'm booked in for a stress test at the beginning of July.

The problem is I have now terrified of doing anything in case I'm about to drop dead, even though the cardiologist said it's not dangerous. I only go to work because I have to but other than that I don't move from home because I live near a hospital.

Would various EKG's and 2 ECG be enough to show if I had something bad?

Thank you x

[Fazerboy]

Hi, it sounds like you have svt. I had it and it was partly diagnosed by it jumping from say 90 to 140 instantly and then at some time later dropping back just as quick.Difficult to catch on an ecg because it is only intermittent.

Can you get a monitor from your GP then get it to trigger by going to the loo.

As to bowel movements, I think you can try to reset it by a vagal manoeuvre where you sit and strain as if on the loo. Maybe there is a link there.

I found that I could reset my hr by lying on my back and relaxing for a minute or so.

Mine was finally confirmed by having an implant loop recorder fitted. I had an ablation and I no longer get svt.

[Sasical in reply to Fazerboy]

Thank you for your reply and for the info, I will ask for what you have mentioned. I actually dis ask for a loop recorder but here in Spain they only seem to go for that if you are having blackouts.

[Fazerboy in reply to Sasical]

I don’t know about your circumstances but I do a lot of cycling. I have a garmin bike computer and a chest strap heart rate monitor. My rides are downloaded to Garmin and to strava. When the rides are downloaded I can look at the hr graph. This is where it became obvious that my hr was jumping up instantly and dropping just as quick as if a switch was being turned on and off. I actually found sudden stress, so a jump in adrenaline, started the svt. I found by chance that if I lay down, bike computer in hand, I could get it to reset then I could get up and carry on as if nothing had happened.The graphs helped convince the cardiologist that it probably was svt so he arranged for me to have the implant recorder.

[Sasical in reply to Fazerboy]

Aaah I see, and weren't you afraid to exercise with this happening to you? I'm upset because I'm too afraid now to do even the lightest exercise

[Fazerboy]

It took me quite a while to realise my sudden tiredness was due to my hr going up. Then when I realised that I could reset it reasonably quickly I was ok with it. I actually cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats with these symptoms. As time went on my episodes got more and more frequent, eventually say 2 or 3 a day and it got harder to get it to reset. I then decided to ask for an ablation (I cancelled an earlier one). I was put on Bisoprolol to keep my hr low prior to the ablation. After the ablation all is good and I’m not on any meds.

[Sasical in reply to Fazerboy]

Thank you so much for your replies, very interesting

[dogsneedwalking]

I have SVT [recently diagnosed] in January of this year. It's really scary when it happens but I got used to to but I do understand your anxiety. Mine is related to my Thyroid function and my long episodes lasted over 8 hours and needed hospital intervention but the adenosine, etc they give you doesn't work anymore with me so had Cardioversion in April. Still getting symptoms but I now know that it won't kill me it's just a pain in the neck. I get small runs but I sit down and stay calm and if it lasts over 30mins the Paramedics say to call 999 in future.