I have managed SVT for 7 years using vagal manoeuvres but decided to agree to an ablation because of increasing frequency of episodes. Prior to ablation I was sometimes having 2 or 3 episodes a week. Episodes were 5 to 10 mins and I could reliably convert. I am in my late sixties.
I had an SVT ablation 2 weeks ago and the cardiologist felt it had gone well and I should be SVT free. I know I am in the blanking period and was quite prepared for extra ectopics, and maybe short SVT runs.
Post ablation I am having very nasty SVT episodes which seem to go on longer ( 30 mins in once case) and I am having to work much harder to convert. I am also having about 3 episodes a day, mostly under 10 minutes. The rate is lower being about 155 to 156 bpm but post conversion I can go back into SVT. This did not happen prior to the ablation.
I sent a Kardia reading to cardiology. I have been advised by email to start verapamil and told I will be reviewed but it is possible I will need a second ablation. I found the first ablation very stressful though I was treated well in a UK NHS hospital. I was hoping not to need medication.
I wondered if any of you had had an experience like this. If so, did things settle down without medication so that you became SVT free without a second ablation? Did you end up taking a calcium channel blocker for a few weeks and then find you could come off it and live your life SVT free? How could you tell if things were settling down if you were on new medication?
I am not asking for medical advice. I am just interested in people's experiences.
Please add anything else you think it would be useful for me to know .
Thank you
Sophia