SVT, bad enough for ablation?

[Ppitstop]

Hi all,

I've been reading the forums for a while now and decided it was time to post as you lot seem really supportive. I'm debating whether to have ablation done for my SVT, and I've no idea if I should or not!

Here's my story, apologies if it's long, I'm not sure what is relevant...

A year ago I was on a small African island after 9 months of travelling (we'd spent years saving and set up our own remote business, to have this as a honeymoon trip), and had recently recovered from Dengue fever followed by a bad cold.

I was working stupid hours on a project (remote web developer), drinking far too much coffee, beer, generally stressed and not looking after myself. I was 30 at the time.

From out of the blue I started getting a really fast heart rate coming on very suddenly, almost always in the evening when relaxing (e.g. eating dinner/watching TV/listening to music). It appeared one day from nowhere and would happen 2-4 times a day for 7 straight days.

I assumed I was having a panic attack, having never had one before. I felt quite dizzy, couldn't take a deep breath and was weak. We went to the local medical centre on the third day, and the doctor became quite concerned. She did an ECG (which unfortunately I've never been able to get a copy of), called a cardiologist on another island and was momentarily concerned I was having a heart attack (which I was not). She gave me a small tablet which went under my tongue and tasted awful (I described it tasting like cat urine smells like) which stopped it within 5 minutes. She prescribed 10mg of Propanolol morning and night.

Two days later I visited her again and repeated the same procedure. This time I had full body spasms (arms and legs were twitching violently and without any control).

The next day I decided to try swimming (always quite active, had read that exercise helps panic attacks). In the shower after swimming my heart rate raised again and I felt weak and scared. This time the doctor assumed it was panic attacks and prescribed some kind of anti anxiety medication. I can't remember the name unfortunately. I took it that night and had the worst night so far, waking up repeatedly throughout the night with the fast heart rate.

The next day we called our medical insurance, who suspected SVT (the medic happened to have SVT himself) and I was repatriated home the day after.

Since returning to the UK I've never had episodes as bad as during those 7 days, and I've never had spasms again. I've now had the full range of tests (24 hour monitor, MRI, ECGs, echocardiogram) and have been diagnosed with SVT.

The first cardiologist I saw was very dismissive. I was told I had 'tacchycardia' and not much more, other than to take beta blockers twice daily. At that point I assumed that meant I did not have SVT and I chose to take the beta blockers only when I felt I needed them (I purchased a Fitbit, which I realise isn't perfect, but allowed me to see when my heart rate was faster).

A month ago I had a telephone appointment with a new cardiologist who confirmed I have SVT. My beta blocker dosage is 20mg Propanolol morning and night. The doctor wanted to raise me to 5mg Bisoprolol, but on discussing with my doctor that the 40mg daily Propanolol seems to be managing it well I decided to stick with what I know.

On the 24hr monitor and on my Fitbit I notice my heart often spikes at night. But by spike I mean raise to between 120 and 160, very rarely higher. I've gone through periods where this happens many times a night, and other periods where it happens once in a night once a week or less.

If I drink alcohol I notice my heart rate spike (l don't drink often). A couple of glasses of wine and I feel it, and notice it raise to 140ish. The last time a drank a fair amount was New Years Eve, and I felt weak, like I had to immediately lie down, and had a fitful night of sleep with my heart rate reaching over 200 at points.

I had a bad fever in February, and woke in the middle of the night with a fast heart rate of 160ish, feeling very sick and dizzy. It took a couple of hours to pass.

I've never had a spike from exercise except for that one occasion after swimming in that first week of symptoms. Normally spikes happen either without me noticing or with awareness but minimal symptoms. My spikes normally are only 120-140 max, with rare occasions of going higher.

I've now been offered ablation for my SVT. I've no idea if I should go ahead! From the forums it seems like most of you who suffer from SVT are having a much higher spike/more regular spikes than me.

I'd love your experiences and thoughts. Thanks so much!

[Stumpy47]

I suffered with svt's for many many years & they self converted normally within 20 minutes at most. When I got to 70 yrs They became very stubborn lasting hours at a time, up to 220bpm & needed frequent visits to A&E for conversion by Adenosine! A year ago I had an ablation which has cured the problem. I take beta blockers & was fitted with a PM 8 months ago. Overall got a new lease of life & we go on!! The ablation took about 3 hours in total & was relatively painless just uncomfortable at times. Best wishes.

[Ppitstop in reply to Stumpy47]

Thanks for the reply. I guess the idea is get it fixed now as it’ll likely get worse over time. I need to ask if it’s more likely to come back if I treat it young, but I guess getting it treated now doesn’t mean I couldn’t do the same again if it did come back.

I’m nervous as they’ve booked me in for a phone consultation on Friday. I’m assuming that means they’ll be looking at starting procedures back up during the pandemic. I’m a little worried about the danger of catching covid while in recovery from the procedure. My partner is a key worker so there’s little we can do to shield.

Amazing to hear you have a new lease of life. Very happy for you 😊 how long was the recovery?

[Stumpy47 in reply to Ppitstop]

I had a sore groin for about 10 days & a few unusual flutters for about 2/3 months before a check up, which they call the blanking period where your heart settles down after being messed with, quite understandable! I wasn't even aware I had SVT for over 40yrs lol until the damn things went on for hours. The ablation is well worth doing the Adenosine drug becomes a love hate relationship so glad I'm rid of that. Google it & look for it's use on YouTube! That will convince you. Now I can take long walks *& ride my bike!! Take care.