Living with SVT

[Kirstylouiserob]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with SVT 2.5 years ago and have had less than a handful of episodes, then last week for the first time in a year I had 2 in 1 day - what is classed as regular? I also self regulate by lying down and concentrating on my breathing - I suppose I'd like to get an idea of other people cycles, how often they get them etc - the first couple i was taken to hospital but since then I've seen the Cardiologist a couple of times - I read different accounts and am wondering if I'm lucky or not taking things seriously enough 😀

Thanks

[Equi-geek]

Hi! I have had SVT for about 30 years and control an episode in the same way as you, I don’t need meds. Over the years I understand the triggers - usually some kind of physical jolt while starting to breathe in, usually during the warmup phase of exercise. I can then get it back under control quite quickly. I used to have to lie down, but sometimes I can just bend forwards to get my head level with my heart, take a deep slow breath or two, and it will be normal again before anyone notices - I pretend to re-tie my shoe laces or adjust the girth while sat on a horse. I maybe have 2 episodes a year. I would get it checked out if it set off under different circumstances, (particularly while at rest) or I struggled to bring it under control. I can’t remember if I’ve had 2 episodes in one day but sometimes they do happen close together and then I am more cautious and it seems to go away for ages again. I do worry that something serious could happen out of the blue, but I keep a mobile phone within reach if I am on my own, and while I exercise alone (am a runner / cyclist too) with ICE details.

[rhoffman86]

Hi there! I’ve been living with SVT for 8 years. Mine started out much like yours. I’d have an episode when I would exercise or in a stressful situation resulting in an adrenaline rush. As the years progressed, I started getting them daily with various activities like showering or walking up the stairs in my home. I also have something else going on like POTS or IST but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. This probably is what exacerbates my SVT. Not to scare you. Keep an eye on it. I take metoprolol and it helps immensely. If I didn’t have something in addition to the SVT I’d get an ablation and be over with it.

[LMor]

Hi. I think everyone’s svt’s are different. I’ve had mine since I can remember...when I was small my heart would suddenly start racing and I’d collapse on the floor (not pass out) They’d last for 20 minutes or so and then revert back to normal. Around 10 years ago it happened and I couldn’t stop it. I was rushed into hospital with a heart rate near on 300 beats a minute...after around three hours it self resolved. I had a follow up and nothing was ever done. Last year I had two more major episodes and was rushed in by ambulance and given adenosine. I opted for an ablation which I had in February and so far so good. No more major episodes. Still get lots of ectopics and flutters and pauses but on the mend and the consultant confirmed mine was a birth defect. As I child I never even told anyone. I actually thought it was normal lol.

[Hidden]

I have had Svt for quite a lot of years with little runs that stopped after 5 minutes, I did not know what it was until the big one 2and a half years ago when I had to go to hospital, my last one was 175 beats last Monday night, only 7 big ones and some short ones, I declined the ablation in October last year because I did not want to compromise my independence. I get lots of ectopics and runs of strong heartbeat which rock my body, I am quite active for 72.