I am having SVT ablation next week and feeling conflicted if I still should go ahead with the procedure? I have had SVT around 4 years now and it has calmed in the last two years. During an episode it can go up to 256 bpm on other days around 160bpm. I take Verapamil as in pill in the box or when I know I have a busy day ahead that may cause stress or anxiety.
I am feeling anxious of any complications but interested to know the experience of others.
I would like to hear from anyone who has been treated at St Thomas'
Look forward to your thoughts.
Sjan
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sjan
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Hello I understand your anxiety. I had my EP study and ablation yesterday in Cardiff. Like you, my heart would go into (cardiologist thought) either VT or SVT. I have lived 4 decades with this (unknown!!) but 5 months ago I had to have Cardiversion as my heart wouldn’t stop going 240 bpm for two and a half hours. I was admitted to hospital for nine days with all the tests - MRI,echo,angiogram, ecg &bloods only to find it was my electrical system (they thought)
I have had many episodes since a June landing in A&E and been unable to drive although I have had no fainting or pain!!! The cardiologist just didn’t know what was wrong unlikely it was VT but couldn’t rule it out but most probably SVT. As you know there a few different SVT and mind turned out to be AVRNT. So hopefully that should be sorted after 44 years of inconvenience and 5 scary months.
So Yes, I was anxious but the procedure was really ok. It’s not a painful procedure (with no sedation) just a strange feeling of a bit of prodding going on. I had a small amount of midazalsm and painkiller when they ablated. I suffer with terrible anxiety have most of my life - I had s little chat to myself just before I walked down to the cath lab and thought it’s better than living like this. So please don’t be apprehensive put your trust into your team because they know what they are doing.
I’m sat here this morning with an achy groin area but nothing much honestly. No discomfort in my chest. I have not got a great pain threshold 😀 a little tired and will have a “day on the King” catch up with some reading and enjoy sone quiet time as my children have left for school.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am pleased all went well for you and truly that is reassuring to hear. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and always sat undecided. Now the date is next week panic and nerves have slipped in.
It makes me wonder how you managed for 4 decades and the courage you took to go ahead with the procedure.
I just wanted to share that I had my ablation this week and resting at home now.
I thought I was completely prepared and had asked all the questions I had thought of. However I did not know that they sedation does not give a true picture how the heart behaves during the study and so they only gave me a local at point of groin entry on both sides. It was not a comfortable experience and the procedure was felt almost at every move.They found it was AVRNT and ablated where needed.
I am so glad its over and can only praise the teams from start to end of my day at the hospital. They were most caring and safest place to be.
Thank you for reaching out when I needed the support.
I’m not a doctor and I don’t know your personal medical situation, all I can say for sure though, is that you’re a patient in a very good hospital (cardiology is one of the best in the country) and cardiac ablation has changed my life for the better.
It can be quite tricky, it just depends where in the heart they find the the issue to start, and this can only be found once they map your heart once you’re asleep.
Because of my complicated cardiac history I’ve been through this process twice in the past twenty years: the first time took me a little while to recover as it was quite complicated to access the place that they had to cauterise.
The second time was a walk in the park.
So, it will really depend on your case but please rest assured that you’re in great hands and although they must list the risks (and yes! It is quite daunting), they will not risk your life for an ablation and complications are really rare.
Thank you for your post and sharing your experience. I hope second time around you are in better health and a walk in the park sounds like a good place to be.
I guess I will know once they start the procedure where they need to fix the problem. The hospital for sure makes me feel safe, its the thought that they are going to interact with my heart just seems uncomfortable.
I will hold onto your last sentence - they will not risk my life for an ablation.
And I’m pretty sure you will be asleeP all the time, every ablation I’ve been through have always been performed under general anaesthetic as the whole procedure lasts around 3-4 hours.
Please feel free to ask more questions if you want and you should be able to get in touch with a cardiac nurse to ask about the procedure
I just wanted to share that I had my ablation this week and resting at home now.
I thought I was completely prepared and had asked all the questions I had thought of. However I did not know that they sedation does not give a true picture how the heart behaves during the study and so they only gave me a local at point of groin entry on both sides. It was not a comfortable experience and the procedure was felt almost at every move.They found it was AVRNT and ablated where needed.
I am so glad its over and can only praise the teams from start to end of my day at the hospital. They were most caring and safest place to be.
Thank you for reaching out when I needed the support.
I’m pleased that it all went well although I’m surprised they decided to put you through the procedure while awake, as you explained they must have had their valid reasons (possibly a different technique used for mapping the heart? 🤷♀️)
In any case I’m very happy for you and I hope you’ll keep on staying out of trouble for a long time!
I had set for about 20 years but it only used to last about 15 minutes. 4 years ago it started getting longer and the pulse rate going up to 240/minute. I was hospitalised after an episode last five hours I was in the hospital for two days and they they where able to diagnose the problem as it lasted so long to a faulty circuit in the heart I went for an ablation came out the same day problem fixed. I’ve never had another episode since I’m absolutely delighted with it. I was not able to drive for a week because of the groin wound but the procedure was painless. Good luck
Thank you for your post and sharing your experience. my episodes normally last about 40 minutes but after 15 minutes i would dial 999 and go into A&E. First year I had 9 calls and gradually over the last 3 years it is more under control. However in July while in New York it started and the panic was I need to get this sorted.
Just reading your post I cant imagine how the 5 hours must have been like for you, but really glad the doctors have successfully done the procedure and you are episode free.
I just wanted to share that I had my ablation this week and resting at home now.
I thought I was completely prepared and had asked all the questions I had thought of. However I did not know that they sedation does not give a true picture how the heart behaves during the study and so they only gave me a local at point of groin entry on both sides. It was not a comfortable experience and the procedure was felt almost at every move.They found it was AVRNT and ablated where needed.
I am so glad its over and can only praise the teams from start to end of my day at the hospital. They were most caring and safest place to be.
Thank you for reaching out when I needed the support.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. Great to hear it all went well.
I had the procedure 2 weeks and do feel happy that its done. However 2 weeks post op when I have walked stairs in my home I can feel and see heart racing to 100 - 120. I am mindful it may take time to settle down- but wont lie that it does make me sit up and monitor.
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