SVT recently diagnosed

[CliveS]

I am 65 years old and play a lot of good standard tennis. I am also a soccer ref and assistant. Recently I have been feeling absolutely shattered after doing these sports. My heart rate is up in the 80s for a few hours after the activity but it is usually 58- 60 bpm. Should I take beta blockers which have been suggested. I did the suggested manoeuvre for lowering the heart rate and it dropped to normal straight away.

[helenosborne1978]

Hi Clive, I can only speak from my own experience but I only resorted to beta blockers and finally an ablation when the manoeuvre was ineffective. I played netball for years using the manoeuvre whenever I felt my heart rate shoot up. If you can manage the manoueuvre I'd stick with this strategy, however if it's having an impact on your participation in sport I'd have a trial run on the beta blockers?

Good luck!

Helen

[CliveS in reply to helenosborne1978]

Thanks for that Helen. It's early days using the manoeuvre so as you have done I will see how it affects my sport. Did the beta blockers work at all for you and has the ablation been successful.

Regards

Clive

[Hidden]

Hi,

I'm not sure what this "manoeuvre" is....but if it works, perhaps it is a better solution than resorting to meds which come with so many other side effects.

If it isn't a reliable way to reduce your heart rate and this is significantly affecting your quality of life perhaps there is an argument for beta blockers.

It's very concerning when you can no longer do what you have always taken for granted isn't it? I hope you find a solution that you feel happy with.

x

[CliveS in reply to Hidden]

I put my thumb in my mouth and blow hard on it for 10 seconds without exhaling and strain as though using the loo. Sounds crude but that was what I was told to do in the Cardiology clinic. Another way described was to hold my nose and blow hard again not exhaling.

[helenosborne1978]

Hi Clive, I've experienced palpitations since I was in my teens and I was diagnosed with SVT a couple of years ago at the age of 35. Initially I was happy just to carry on with the vagal manoeuvres in the knowledge that SVT was not life threatening as long as I could control it. However, after having a nasty episode that resulted in an overnight stay in hospital, I tried out beta blockers and found that they reduced my heart rate across the board. Unfortunately I felt a bit sluggish and was still getting palpitations if I took them later in the day and did some exercise. The beta blockers did not seem to be addressing the root cause of the problem. The ablation did however remove the short circuit that was causing my palpitations. Since having the ablation in March I have been able to fully participate in exercise without the worry of my heart rate shooting up and affecting my performance and ultimately my participation in sport. In my case the ablation has been successful and I'm glad I opted for this procedure.

Good luck with the course of therapy that you decide to follow!

Helen

[CliveS]

Thanks Helen.

Clive

[Emgee]

I had tachycardia for 37 years and discovered a slight massage to my carotid artery on the left side would calm it and bring it to an end. This worked up until this past March, when an episode of Tachycardia, turned into an A-Fib spisode which an injection of Cardizem nor Cardioverson with the paddles, would end it. As a result, I was then send for an ablation which unfortunately, punctured my heart and I had a Tanponade and spent 7 weeks in hospital with decision to be sent to a major hospital to have treatment, perhaps open heart surgery to create a 'window' so the excess blood or fluid could be removed.

I have always felt my tachycardia was triggered by a nerve by my stomach area or Vagal nerve, but have never had anyone confirm or agree with that theory.