Hi, I was diagnosed with SVT from an early age, and spent most of my childhood going to and from appointments at the children's hospital. Eventually, after many many episodes (and of increasing length!) I was suitable for an ablation. I had the ablation at aged 17, however, unfortunately it did not work and I had an episode 6 weeks later - frustrating! However, it has somewhat modified it and my episodes are less frequent and the length of episodes has decreased substantially from 3 hours to just 5 minutes! So I would definitely recommend the ablation surgery, although it didn't quite have the desired effect for me it has improved the condition and the effect on my life. I now control my episodes through the various maneuvers suggested (and with success thanksully).
My question is, how do people with SVT get on with exercise? I have always been keen to compete in sports, especially during school - however the severity and frequency of my episodes before the operation meant that this tailed off a little. I am now 22 and I am keen to get back into running, moreover, running distances for charity etc.! I am just a bit apprehensive about over-exertion and effects on my heart! I would thoroughly appreciate any help/advice about how much exercise people tend to do! especially those who have been diagnosed with SVT from birth or a young age.
I am due to run the race for life in a few weeks, and have been running a little in preparation for that. But I am keen to get back into running longer distances with a view to doing half-marathons/marathons. Has anyone run these kind of distances with SVT?
Many thanks, Amy
Hi, sorry I can't help with the exercise question, but wondered what symptoms you had? It must have been awful for you at such a young age. I was 30 when mine started and has symptoms on and off for years. But a month ago it was finally picked up with an Ecg. I am on meds but still have symptoms of chest pain, palpitations, racing heart. Sometimes the heart beat take's too long to come back and it feel as if my heart has stopped and feel breathless. This is quite frightening. I feel washed out most of the time.
Hope you continue to improve.
Hi Amy , Why on earth would anyone with SVT want to run unless they have a death wish? Really cant comment any more -
Because I am young, fit and healthy and want to exercise and have exercised in the past. And won't let SVT stop me living my life? I have lived with this since birth and managed just fine thank you.
I have been advised by my cardio consultant that I can exercise, I just wanted to hear others experiences re: exercising short/long distances and wanted any advice etc.
I think your comment is slightly unfair.
Hi, my symptoms have always been very consistent. The episodes would come on instantaneously and have been recorded, at its fastest, at 230 bpm via the 24 hour recording device I had fitted. I never get chest pain, however, after the episode has finished I will feel quite debilitated - as if I quite literally (and ironically with reference to my original question) feel as if I have run a marathon. When the episode stops it almost feels like a 'surge' of adrenaline and my heart will return to a normal rhythm. I usually will recover relatively quickly after an episode and go about my daily life. However, when they were most regular it thoroughly impacted my life and recovery time. Since the operation things have got a lot better and less frequent (months apart). I would recommend getting checked out and seeking that diagnosis - without a diagnosis it can be very frightening and isolating! Seek advice and support, you are entitled! And if at any point an ablation is recommended - take it! you won't regret it! Also if you experience dizziness or fainting episodes along with the palpitations seek medical advice quickly!
It is really not nice having something not right with your heart, especially if it is impacting your life so much - so really do bug your doctors!!
All the best for the future, Amy
Hi Amy,
I would discuss running with you doctor...my doctor always said my heart was healthy and that the abt had nothing to do with the health if my heart. I'm not a runner but I do chase after my puppy and children with no issues.
I'm 45 and had my ablation about 12 years ago here in Canada. Thankfully mine worked so I've been symptom free. Staying healthy is a good thing...talk to your doctor I'm sure it will be fine...I'm cheering you on from Canada!!! Take care!
Hi Shelley,
Thank you for your reply!! It's nice to hear some positive stories and I am so glad the ablation worked for you. I am definitely a believer in keeping healthy - I will talk to my doctor! All the best for the future and keep chasing your children and puppy around 
Hi Amy, I have had SVT for several years. I am 36 and otherwise very healthy. I visit the gym, swim, attend fitness classes and take long brisk walks. I have never got my SVT whilst exercising. I don't bend forward whilst exercising as I know this can be a trigger. My SVT usually occurs when I am asleep in bed!! I am not on medication, my heart is otherwise healthy so don't feel it is right to take medication all the time, when sometimes it can be several months between episodes. If it was to increase I would definately consider the ablation. My twin sister also had SVT for many years, long before I started and she had the ablation ten years ago, it was a great success.
Amy, exercising is very important for your health and you should not under any circumstances stop exercising because of SVT. remember it is a benign condition and there is no scientific evidence that exercising triggers attacks. what can, however, trigger attacks are flus and virus infections. so lets say you have had a cold for a few days and then push yourself on a 10k run you are more likely to have an svt attack than if you didnt have a cold.
What you have to try and think about when you have an attack are the various things you can do to make it stop, what works for many people are changes in position such as lying down, squatting, or fetal position. this can stop an attack. in short what i am saying is learn to live with it and dont be scared as it just causes stress which can trigger attacks.
again it is a benign condition that you can manage yourself, drink lots of water, avoid stimulants get regular sleep and live a healthy life. and dont be scared, big hug
all the best!!!! D.
p.s. I have run several 10ks with SVT and regularly play 3 hours of power tennis and never had a single episode. but i do get episodes while sitting in the office being stressed. whats the worst that can happen if you get an SVT on kilometer 28 of a marathon? think about it? you do your usual maneuvres to make it stop and keep running, wear your heart rate watch keep an eye on it. i dont see a problem. it is just in your head.
Hi Amy. I had SVTfor about 20 years and it never seemed related to physical exercise. Most times it just seemed to occur out of the blue when I was sitting down relaxing. Elsewhere here I have mentioned cutting out all caffeine. I'm really sorry the ablation did not workfor you, can you have another one?
Hi, I noiced you mentioned getting SVT while stressed at work. I don't think I ever got SVT while stressed, but there did seem to be a pattern that it often happened a day after stress (like a row at home!).
Dear Amy. I don't know if this is too late, but I'm 40, and also run races and have never had an episode while running. At first (after my failed ablation in 2006) I ran with a heart monitor and stayed below 180 bpm, but today I run without one and feel fine.
My episodes also mostly come when I'm relaxing, or emotionally stressed.
Good luck with running
Hi Amy. I hope this doesn't sound too weird to say but it's really refreshing to find someone else who's asking questions about running with SVT. I started running about 6 months ago becuase I knew it would help with my SVT episodes (I would get up to 10 a day but lasting no more than 10 minutes at a time. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like having an episode for 3 hours!) I do get SVT episdoes when I run (and rest, sleep etc) but I use breathing exercises and the vagal manouvers to control it. If I have an episode whilst out running I just have to stop, sort my heart rate out, then carry on. I guess I'm lucky that I can control it. Are you able to stop it when it starts? Do you have any other symptoms apart from the rapid heart rate? I'm equally as keen as you to run further distances so it would be great to hear how you're getting on.
Hi, I'm in South Africa and my 70 year old husband has just been diagnosed with SVT - unbelievably, he has been having these "turns" for over 30 years and has always thought it to be a reflux related problem - and we've never been able to co-ordinate an attack with a visit to the GP. However yesterday an attack started and I persuaded him to see the Dr. After an ECG - heart rate 190 - doctor immediately gave the diagnosis and referred him to a cardiologist who confirmed the diagnosis. He was given shock treatment to reset the heart rate and will have the "ablation" done next week. He is an avid tennis and bowls player - so with regard to exercise has never let the fact that he gets the attacks stop him, but obviously when he has one is left weak and debilitated afterwards. I am so relieved to finally have a diagnosis - immense relief. It has been a long road.
Hi Amy, I'm 22 and I've got my SVT diagnosed a few months ago, after a bad SVT attack. I was physically very weak after that episode - started feeling tired and needed rest after 15 min of slow walk. Since I do think exercise helps strengthening my heart (and also for my low blood pressure), I started fast walking exercise. At first, I just started with 2 to 3 min of fast walk, and stop immediately when I felt my heart starting to get wrong. (The feeling was similar to the mild palpitation feeling when I gagged in brushing teeth.) After a few days, I walked slightly longer, and so on. Now it's been almost 4 months, and I can have 45 min fast walk (or 10-15 min run) without SVT or palpitation signs during the exercise. And amazingly, SVT happens less frequently now! My goal was also to join some charity marathons (e.g. 10 km runs). Hope we can achieve our goals one day!
Hi, may I know how to do the breathing exercises and the vagal manouvers? Doctors in my country are less well-trained in using these supplementary exercises to help ... I am really keen to know how to do them to help with SVT attacks. Many thanks for your help!
Liz
Hi zilizzilliz. There's a really useful page on the site called 'SVT - HOW DO YOU STOP IT?' I've put information on how I used my breathing techniques to stop SVT episodes on there so it would be worth going to that page. There's lots of other peoples suggestions too so worth a look. If you can't find it let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.
hi,,I have been running for many years and at times have had svt episodes when out runningI have to stop running and wait for it to pass and settle down. If I push the pace ever then I am more likely to have a episode.In total I get abou6/7 episodes a year.
Hi Amy,
i have svt and i have been goin to the gym religiously for about 4 years :-) i wouldnt let it stop you. its good to keep it pumping and strong i say :-) x