Hi there, 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with SVT. I was walking down my stairs and my heart suddenly started racing. Got an ECG and my heart rate was 197bpm. Long story short they diagnosed me with SVT, at the start they thought it may be AFIB. I don’t think they exactly know what it is, waiting to be called for an ablation. My anxiety has went through the roof since this diagnosis. I wake in the morning and it’s the first thing I think about and the last thing I think about. I definitely think anxiety doesn’t help SVT so I’m trying my hardest not to get anxious, some days my anxiety affects my breathing, I feel as if I can’t catch my breath and think im taking a heart attack. It’s awful, I’m just so anxious incase something happens. Any tips on how to not be this anxious?
thanks
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RFM1903
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Hi. I was diagnosed with SVT in October last year. I had absolutely no symptoms. I was bluelighted to A&E by my GP and I was so petrified. I was crying for my dad i never felt as scared. I was told mine are innocent but I am now on medication. In the hospital I slept a lot my heart rate was 160bpm and I sometimes think why didn't I feel anything?
Are you on medication now? I just thank my lucky stars I was treated by my colleagues and they said to come back if I feel anything wrong. My sister was peeved off with me because I didn't tell her but I didn't want her there interfering telling me and the doctors what to do.
Thank you for your reply! That sounds so scary for you. I literally thought I was taking a heart attack my heart was jumping out of my chest. No not on any medication, I just have to take bisoprolol if I have another episode or go into hospital and they will put me on the drip to bring my heart rate down. I’m on a waiting list for ablation but 18/m waiting list. Doctors & consultants didn’t seem to concerned about me but I am petrified something may happen. Looking forward to having this ablation done.
My mum had a heart attack 2 days before I was born at 43 and she is still going 43 years later and back then the types of treatments weren't available and I just think my mum survived kidney stones, thyroid, heart attack and now she has dementia. She survived her big sister, her parents who all died at 67 and she said I will get past their age and she's now 87.
You are welcome. I was paranoid at first with my diagnosis but I am one of the Cardiology secretaries and I know if there was a problem I could go to any consultant and they would see to me. I was off work a month and went back in November on a phased return. I still panic but I just think of my mum and what my precious late father would say. He would say no point in panicking you can't change it
My daughter-in-law has this,and yes anxiety makes it worse,breathing slowly can help- in through nose out through mouth,she also drinks ice cold water when hers starts does help bring under control
Hi 56, male, Ireland here with diagnosed SVT and associated ectopics (palpitations). I was diagnosed almost 1 year ago. I am fortunate to have private medical insurance and I was seen by a cardiologist extremely quickly with 24 hour ecg (called a holter), Echo and full heart mri (no physical issues, just electrical causing SVT).
Treated with dronedarone (Multaq) and within 2 weeks that knocked the SVT 100% on the head and not had single issue since. Palpitations treated with daily 2.5mg bisoprolol beta blocker and generally very effective but I get the odd flare up of them - almost always related to a trigger.
I have managed to eliminate almost all my triggers. The biggest is stress and of course worrying about SVT is the main cause of stress. I practice daily meditation and I mean really concentrate on this not just flirt with the idea. Plenty of good apps such as Calm and Headspace and also YouTube. Exercise 4-5 times a week but no more high intensity. I do steady state power walking and I aim for 300 minutes per week.
I have cut out ultra processed food including ready made sauces (too much salt) and I don’t add any salt to food. I avoid all forms of caffeine including fizzy drinks and I happily gave up alcohol, I drink 0-0 versions now. I avoid over eating and always allow 3-4 hours after the last meal before going to bed.
Finally ensure you drink 2 to 2.5 litres of water every day. I drink water and also berry tea (doesn’t contain any caffeine).
Edited to add - sleep! Really focus on your duration and quality of sleep. Again lots of good apps and trackers to measure this. I get minimum 8 hours high quality sleep a night.
Definitely worth pushing to see a cardiologist privately and asking about Arrythmia medication.
Hi, also from Ireland! Thank you for your reply! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one suffers from this. When I was diagnosed I didn’t know who to turn to or talk to about this. Very positive feedback back and reading this has helped me a lot! I will try all these methods to help anxiety. My life is quite stressful as I work 3 days a week and have 2 small children. Going to try and not get so stressed anymore (easier said than done) I had an episode not that long ago but thankfully it didn’t last to long but it scared me. Again thank you for your reply, it’s greatly appreciated
Hi glad I could be of some help. When it comes to stress you have to be selfish and absolutely prioritise yourself and carve out time to meditate or exercise etc.
if you have private healthcare I 100% recommend Dr. Deirdre Waterhouse at the Blackrock clinic.
Hi, I had svt about 5 years ago. Stress or an adrenalin rush from a shock or even when bending down could trigger mine. I was put on Bisoprolol to stop it recurring but this made me very tired. I found by chance that when I got svt I could reset it by lying on my back and relaxing. It would usually reset within about a minute. Eventually it got worse so I went for an ablation. All good although a bit worrying beforehand. No svt and no meds since. Now about 5 years free of it. I’m 68, male and do quite a lot of cycling. Good luck.
Thank you for your reply! Yes I definitely think stress is my biggest trigger, I’m trying my hardest not to get stressed but that’s easier said than done. It’s only been 4 weeks since I was diagnosed so hoping as the days go by they will get easier. I appreciate your reply, thank you.
Hi, sorry this is a long one. I was diagnosed with SVT (now confirmed as a type of SVT called atrial tachycardia) just over 18 months ago after a 24 tracer. I’d just turned 40 and felt far too young to have a ‘heart condition’. Also panic as my Dad and Gran have had heart attacks so worried that this meant I would too. But no, it isn’t linked to heart attacks at all. I know it’s scary though and don’t let anyone take that away from you but also don’t let it consume you. My first episode I was sat in a hotel reception waiting for a friend and I could see my heart leaping out my chest like in a cartoon. I don’t know how I did it but focused on breathing as normally as possible. I had chest heaviness and pain for months after that first episode but think this was partly anxiety, my heart felt bruised all the time. I was initially put on biseperol daily (2.5, then upped to 5 which was horrible very sluggish, then down to 1.25mg with flecanide). For over 12 months like you it was the first thing I thought about when I woke and my heart without fail would be doing additional kicking beats every morning and was worried I’d have a full on episode. I was worried about the wear and tear on my heart. I got an Apple Watch and took ECG readings to monitor my heart, to show people, to prove I wasn’t exaggerating “this is how crazy my heart is.” This also gave me a sense of control over my condition. Sounds weird but it really did. It gave me something to focus on but also reassured me it was only a small percentage of the day it was happening and this gave me perspective over the wear and tear concern I had. I waited a very long time for an appointment with a cardiologist but finally when I saw him he was great and spent 40 mins talking to me about what was happening to my heart and my treatment options. I was taken off biseperol completely and had my flecanide increased to 200mg a day. It’s working really well. I have mini episodes but nothing like they were. I actually forget I have SVT a lot of the time. I’ve been told I can be put on the waiting list for an ablation but for now I’m preferring the medication as I was told that from the tracer results they suspect I have multiple areas that would need ablating. I’ve just had an echocardiogram but think that’s just so they have a full picture of my heart health. My next appointment with the cardiologist is a full year after I first saw him but I know I can call his secretary if I have any concerns. I promise, it becomes less scary. Once they have found the right treatment for you, if that is the ablation or medication, you will be fine. It certainly made me focus on my health and make extra effort to exercise and eat healthier I feel good. I know it sounds so obvious but deep breaths and I found stretching my chest helped with anxiety. Also if you are having an episode gulping water really helps! Good luck.
This happened to me last July on holiday in Spain my heart started racing it started the day I landed my heart rate was up to 130. I changed my flight and came home. It seemed to settle then 3 days after I came home it went up to 162 bpm. I went to A &E and after various tests it showed I had rock bottom Magnesium they gave me a drip for it. They organised an EP as they said it could be the electrics. Had echos CT’s the works. To cut a long story short I had every test possible and thankfully nothing was found . Put down to stress in the end. Its always in the back of my mind. Focusing at the moment on getting my magnesium and Vitamin D levels up as it plays a lot in heart health. Hope all goes well for you. I understand how you feel.
Hi, it’s very understandable to feel anxious when we have a health scare, but take your lead from your consultants who it seems think you will be ok. A great website to look at is getselfhelp.co.uk there is tons of information on anxiety for you to read and practice. All the very best. X
My partner has had SVT for years, he had all of the tests.His consultant told him to take a magnesium supplement daily and to use an ice pack on his neck to shock the vagus nerve back into rhythm, and it works. His heart would race at 160 beats for several hours. He has found that consuming chili and caffeine are triggers, so he avoids these now. I hope you can find your triggers and start relaxing and enjoying your life.
Hiya, I was diagnosed with SVT at 49 but definitely had it longer as I often had flutters but nothing was ever caught on ECG. I belong to a Facebook group and anxiety around the condition is super common. Like you anxiety effects my breathing - this is a very common reaction as is thinking the worst. As my episodes increased over time I became more and more anxious, scared to go out alone etc. I self referred to NHS talking therapies and did a CBT based mindfulness course which helped. You can find lots of meditation videos online which you could try. I’m glad you are on the waiting list for an ablation - I wish I’d tried it sooner as it’s the only way to cure it. In the meantime are you on any medication - beta blockers will help. Try and focus on the fact that SVT is not life threatening just a real nuisance. Did the doctor teach you any valsalva manoeuvres to try and stop episodes? I’ve always been able to self convert using it. Good luck and know you are not alone.
Thank you so much for this message! You don’t know how this had made me feel so much better. I’m so happy I’m not the only one who suffers this. That’s exactly what I am like now. I’m nearly afraid to go out, the thought of being in a crowd of people makes me panic incase it happens again. Yes they have showed me manoeuvres to do when it happens. I had another episode recently (just not as bad as the first) and I done the manoeuvres and yes it settled but just the feeling of it happening put me in complete overdrive/panic. But I got myself settled. It’s just an awful feeling and someone who has never experienced doesn’t really understand. I have bisoprisolol as a pill in pocket (if I have an episode take one, carry it with me everywhere) I’m so glad I came on here and asked for help. You don’t know how much your message has helped. Thank you very much for your reply, it’s greatly appreciated.
My daughter had her first episode on her 7th birthday, we were walking on Exmoor, so not ideal. She's 35 now, has an episode most months but she has a number of things that she can use to stop it (vagal maneuvers). Her HR is usually over 200bpm so she is very aware of her episodes but she does also capture them on an apple watch. She takes no medication and is not considering an ablation as she feels she can manage the issue well. She's an anaesthetist, extremely fit, in her spare time she works as an expedition doctor and has been up mountains, across deserts and been in situations that have tested her fitness to the utmost. I mention this because hopefully it will make you feel less concerned. It's scary to have your heart racing (I've got atrial flutter) but you should be able to live a completely normal life. A friend is a surgeon, he also had SVT but decided to have an ablation because it was interfering with his work. That was 15 years ago and he's absolutely fine.
Opinions and suggestions only, there is no reason to believe you would suffer a traditional "heart attack", and the 2 conditions are completely different in this situation, being 32 we can safely assume that you have a low plaque load, the heart can beat fast for a reasonable amount of time without injury, think long distance runners, doing 170bpm for 5 hours, now yes it should be brought down as and when you notice it is high, but there is no reason to believe that you would suffer a traditional "heart attack", now if you were running at 200 bpm for days that would be a different situation entirely.,Why don't you ask your doctor for a low dose daily beta blocker like Bisoprolol to reduce anxiety and have some coverage. i.e. if you were taking a low maintenance dose if an attack occured the BPM would be much less.
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I feel good. I know it sounds so obvious but deep breaths and I found stretching my chest helped with anxiety. Also if you are having an episode gulping water really helps! Good luck. 
Anyone else suffer with svt
Bisoprolol giving me anxiety
Recently diagnosed.
Recently diagnosed with unstable angina
