SVTs caused by PMR???

[Jankie]

Morning everyone

Has anyone with PMR suffered with serious SVT where my heart rate is over 180 and BP is 70/30

I’ve noticed that over the past 7 years these have become more frequent. I’ve had 4 episodes in the last 6 months lasting over 6 hours. Last one put me in A and E.

I’m wondering whether long term pred or PMR could be the cause. I’m on 2mg and been diagnosed for nearly 7 years.

I’m currently due for a video consult with a cardiologist. All ECGs have shown nothing

Any comments gratefully received

[jinasc]

Apart from the ECG's where you given a 24 hour test, where they wire you up and you continue as normal. Then go back and they look at what has happened over the last 24 hours?

[Jankie in reply to jinasc]

Thanks for thatI guess that will be the next step

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have had atrial fibrillation for the same amount of time as I have had other PMR symptoms. The cardiologist here is confident that it is due to the autoimmune part of the PMR having damaged the electrical cells in the heart. The a/f has got more frequent over the years, it also gets worse if I am having a flare and the reason for having required 15mg pred over the last 18 months or so is as much the a/f as the PMR as it gets worse at lower doses. The cardiologist is happy enough about the pred dose as she can't offer me anything better to control the a/f.

Stress is also not good for arrythmias - and the last 6 months have definitely been in that class!! Do you have any triggers you can identfy? I've had to give up G&T

[Jankie in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that PMRproIt’s a bit frightening when it happens isn’t it?😧

I also think it could be down to PMR

Hopefully will get some treatment soon but really difficult at the moment with NHS melt down

[Jankie in reply to Jankie]

Also cut out caffeine So sadly no double expressos for me!!

[Kendrew]

Hi Janki. I've had PMR since May 2019 and a history of palpitations which have been investigated several times over my 62yrs. Nothing serious ever been identified. As soon as I was diagnosed with PMR and began pred, the palpitations geared up! More investigations and wore a small ECG monitor for 2wks (went private and this monitor is state of the art and not available on NHS.) They were looking at whether I'd developed a more serious arrhythmia other than the ectopic beats I already experience. SVT was one of those things. Everything came back clear and therefore put down to the condition and steroids. I now take 40mg bd of propanolol (beta blocker) and this has massively reduced the problem. So, I think the answer to your question is Yes....condition and meds can be the cause of some heart arrhythmias and as PMRPro said.....'triggers' can often escalate things further. Hope my experience has helped you with your concern.

[Jankie]

Thank you for that Interesting to have your input