Stress test and SVT

[maria40]

Is there any danger in having a stress test when I am having frequent SVT episodes? I am due to have one in two weeks but the frequency of my SVT episodes has increased recently and I'm worried about this test. Anyone had experience?

[CliveS]

I would think you would be under supervision when doing the test and I am sure they would not give you the stress test if they thought there was any danger.

[maria40 in reply to CliveS]

I will be under supervision but the stress is induced by a drug Resondronate (s?) rather than physical exertion and the hospital warns of side effects afterwards and insists that one should be accompanied home. I have a history of bad reactions to new drugs and am concerned.

[CliveS in reply to maria40]

Sorry Maria I did not realise it was drug induced. I hope all goes well. I don't understand why you are having a stress test if they know its svt.

I was diagnosed with svt last year after having 2 episodes of 146 bpm lasting 45 minutes. I then wore a 7 day monitor which they said indicated svt. I was offered beta blockers which I refused at the time. They showed me a manouevre (blowing hard with my thumb in my mouth and straining as though using the loo for 10 secs which then kicks my heart back to normal) and thankfully have had no further episodes. I am 66 years old and play sport actively.

[maria40 in reply to CliveS]

Thanks for your reply Clive. My svt was diagnosed in a similar way to yours and is now -more or less- controlled by beta-blockers and manoeuvres similar to those you mention but the stress test is for suspected angina; I've been suffering breathlessness and chest pain for a few months so my GP has recommended this. I'm still not sure about whether to go ahead and my GP is unreachable at the moment but I'd like to talk to him about this. I'm 76 and in other ways quite healthy - apart from polymyalgia/gca - and really wonder whether it's worth going through all this hassle.

[CliveS in reply to maria40]

I would go for the test then as you may need extra medication if it is angina. Anyway I hope all goes well for you.

[PattiJay]

Hi maria40!!!

I think go ahead with the test! At least you will be in a clinical setting and they are taking an ECG and BP (too bad it's not a stress echo!) but at least they are documenting your cardiac activity and if something happens that is abnormal, like an SVT, it will be recorded and documented right there, and you will be in the right place! I don't know if you have or need a device if ever, but if the time comes that is what you need... documentation. I have SVTs and Syncope and VT and I even had a stress echo that documented ischemia right before I had a heart attack and ended up going to the ER 2 days later (I KNEW i was feeling quite unwell!) and even tho I could only walk on the treadmill for 2 minutes before I passed out I was quite glad that I had that all documented! In all, I wish you well and I wish you luck! I do hope that you will tell us about this as soon as you have it and let us know how it goes! I am so glad that I have all the paperwork for mine and I will always have these records that show the progression of my heart failure in case I ever have to change doctors.

[maria40 in reply to PattiJay]

Thanks for your encouraging reply Patti-Jay. If the stress were physical exercise like a tread mill I would be less concerned but it is administered chemically through an IV line and therefore can't be stopped once begun. I have read of adverse reactions and have been in touch with the hospital. |They have advised me to monitor my SVT episodes and if they are frequent on the day before they may reconsider the test procedure. I hope you're feeling better now.

[PattiJay in reply to maria40]

I am thank you! I have survived a lot of crazy things, I have had the medicine stress too BTW! They WILL STOP IT the SECOND YOU TELL THEM TO!!! Just wanted to tell you that, and all of you heart activity will be documented! They will be able to tell just from that if there is any ischemia or not! That is important to know, so since they really won't make you suffer too much go ahead with it! I could only take a little bit and I made them quit, really! You don't have to be too brave about it!

[maria40 in reply to PattiJay]

Thanks PattiJay.

I was totally cowardly and cancelled; not without consideration, consulting people with more medical knowledge than me and talking to someone who'd had it before a transplant and said it was one of her worst medical experiences. Everyone was equivocal about whether it would worsen my SVT permanently but I understand anecdotally that this has happened. I shall have to explain myself to my GP next week and know he won't be pleased but I can take that!

Thanks again for your concern. (Incidentally I'm feeling much better, with hardly any breathlessness and no pain; I think the worry certainly wasn't helping!)