Could you please tell me how you all stop an attack. Is there something that works for you? Thanks
Minor ones I could clear easily by sitting/lying down, closing eyes and almost meditating and they're gone within seconds.
The SVT diagnosis attack was a little trickier as went on for allot longer. I wear a fitbit too, so clearly seeing my HR probably didn't help.
Eventually, I was able to clear it myself with what I am pretty sure was the same method lying down and almost medidating, however, I was so dazed! I know I didn't have meds, which I was pelased about. The doc tried the sinus massage and they also tried the leg lift whilst blowing into a syringe, but they didn't touch it.
How about you?
I was never able to successfully stop an attack. I read everything online I tried everything online none of that worked for me. Mostly I would succumb and have to sit down put my feet up drink a bunch of water and just wait for it to pass. Sorry I wish I could be more helpful but my SVT attacks were very debilitating.
I haven't found anything to stop them yet either. I just sit and wait for it to stop. They last for hours though.
I agree - was never able to stop an attack either and mine also lasted for hours. The following day I was completely washed out too and fit for nothing! I recommed an ablation; I had one last June and haven't had an attack since although I still feel as though one is starting from time to time but a cough now puts a stop to it.
I have had SVT for 20 years. In the beginning I had no idea what it was. At the time I was going through a divorce and thought I was probably having an anxiety attack. They SVT would always just go away by itself in a few minutes. As the years went on the attacks got worst and longer until one day I had to go to the ER to get it resolved with a shot of adenosine. The doctor in the ER told me I needed to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist ran several test but did not tell me I had SVT. It was several more years before another attack sent me to the hospital and I was advised to see an electro physiologist. It was then I found out I had SVT. I was prescribed Cardia to take wien I had an attack and for several years this worked, usually within about 45 minutes. In the last 2 years the attacks have gotten more frequent and severe and usually no matter what I do they will not stop until I go to the ER and get the adenosine. One time when I was at the gym and I had an attack, I had a bottle of cold water with me and when outside and dumped it on my head and it stopped but subsequent to that I have tried it during an attack and it did not stop. You can try blowing through a straw, pushing down like having a bowel movement, laying on your right side, and caughing. For some, these may work at times but other times not work. I have an ablation scheduled for May because I am fearful my heart is getting weaker plus its just very stressful to always be fearful of an attack.
How long did yours go on for and did they always stop on their own eventually?
I agree it is very stressful living in fear of an attack. I had one while away for the weekend in France and it has frightened me that it will happen next time we go away. It is starting to impact my life now.
They went on for hours but did eventually stop by themselves - my heart rate was over 200 though each time so I used to feel horrible. The doctor prescribed me a high dose of Propanalol which stopped them after about 90 mins in the end before my ablation.
I haven't found anything to stop them. I just sit and wait. Am too scared of adenosine to go to the hospital.
Mine go on for hours too. My longest was 9 hours but have never been over 180. Did you just use the Propanalol during an attack? I am so scared of having to have adenosine, did you ever have this?
No I never went to the hospital during an attack because I knew they weren't actually life threatening, I took 80mg of Propanalol as soon as an attack began and then just sat and tried to relax until it stopped, but it still took an hour and a half at least to take effect. My attacks were random, I could get two in the same week and then not again for 2 months so I didn't want to take beta blockers permanently.
I had my first SVT attack when I was about 40 yrs. old. I just felt my heart beat very hard and fast out of the blue. I didn't have any significant problems until 7 yrs. later. I started to drink more coffee and I had a major attack in 2012. I had to go to the ER and I was given 4 doses of adenosine through an IV before my heart rate was normal. I tried splashing my face with iced water and doing a val sal maneuver, but my heartrate wouldn't go down. I was having difficulty breathing and that's when I called for help. After that episode, I've had minor SVT attacks about 2-3X a year. Usually, I would splash my face with iced water or do a val salva maneuver and just lie down and relax and it would stop. A few months ago, I started to have more frequent attacks. My last SVT attack lasted for more than 3 hours and I was exhausted. My heartrate didn't go past 180, but it lasted longer than my previous ones. I decided to take meds after refusing any type of meds because I was afraid of side effects. I am tired of having anxiety over SVT so I decided to get an ablation this summer. I was having premature atrial contractions also, so my doctor prescribed Flecainide and Digoxin. These meds have helped with my palpitations and SVT, but occasionally my heart rate goes to 88 bpm and I feel uncomfortable. I hope the ablation will work and I won't feel anxious anymore.
I've done a lot of research on SVT since being diagnosed about 2 years ago (although having my first attack about 10 years ago) main thing I have realised is that nearly everyone's SVT is different.. you hear all these techniques of baring down, blowing into a straw etc will stop your svt,I feel for some people yes this helps but for the most it's bullsh't .. could you advise me of your age, what causes your attacks how long they last etc .. and I will try to advise on both personal experience and through reading about svt
Your replies, so far, are what I would have expected. Lots of people have success with lots of techniques (breathing and body positioning work well for me) but for some of us, nothing at home will work. I haven't had to go in for adenosine for a couple of years now, but I still struggle with the emotional impacts of SVT. I strongly encourage you to read as much as you can, try anything that seems reasonable to you, and see what happens. You may find something to give you at least some control over your SVT and, thus, noticably improve your quality of life. I hope you do.
Just had adenosine today for an attack 6mg worked great with no side affect. I would never wait longer than an hour to go to hospital.
I hesitate to tell you what I do because it sounds counter-intuitive, but it works for me. I hop on my bike and pedal fast round the block. Normally exercise like this increases one's heart rate, and after stopping the exercise one's heart rate goes back down. Exercising during an svt episode seems to send my heart rate back down to normal after I stop. I found this out by accident when an episode started after I had gone shopping by bike and the only way I had to get home was on the bike. It sounds a bit dangerous but my cardiologist said it was okay. I am lucky in that I only get an episode about once a year, but other that taking a beta blocker, no other method has worked for me.
Please check with your doctor before trying it!
I've had adenosine twice in 2 weeks. all it does it drop your pulse you feel your chest warm up and slight pressure. once your pulse drops your out of SVT
I went to the A+E yesterday with my attack and they vs average me adenosine which didn't work the first time so they gave me another shot now Iam scared to go to the hospital that's why Iam looking for an answer on here
i had 2 adenosines within 2 weeks, then the hospital started me on metoprolol. if the hospital won't give you a daily treatment go to your doctor and ask for metoprolol it works. reduced my episodes