An Attack of SVT

--While taking a shower about 2 PM today---i got a horrible attack of supraventicular tachycardia!   It scared the living daylites outta me!--Thought i was gonna die! --My heart started to beat wildly & rapidly--momentarly went back to a regular beat for a second or two--then--started to beat erratically for a few more beats.

--To be honest--tho it SEEMED like an eternity (i was making promises to God--"I'll go to church every Sunday)---it only lasted--i'd say about 7-8 or at most 10 seconds.   I quickly put my bathrobe on---went into kitchen & told me wife.--At that point my heart had returned to normal rythm.   I finished my shower & shampooed--then took a valium & laid down. 

--My heart beat was..at this point--a "normal" 60 beats a minute.

--I have had these things on & off for 20 years now!   The cardiologist says not to worry--but--Gosh, do they scare the heck outta me!

--Anyone else get these scary episodes?     Robert

Kudos to you hopes, we all sort of settle in with it once we do not die as we suspected. !!! so nice seeing you. i have been so busy this is my first post in several weeks. how was your christmas?  and OHHH  Happy New Year!!!

Wotan: Have you tried Betapace? I have A-fib, PSVTs, Cardiac Syndrome X, & PVCs. I felt like an old car constantly trying to start! After going on Betapace, they have decreased by about 80% - 90%. Still have occasional ones, but not bad & only for a couple of seconds.

Good luck!

I had my first SVT episode in October.  I was well over 200bmp for 30 minutes before I got to the ER.  It took two shots of whatever they give you to finally get it down.  They kept me for two nights, did an EKG and an Echocardiogram and diagnosed me with AVNRT.  I was told I could go on a beta blocker for the rest of my life to control the intensity of the attacks or I could have a catheter ablation.  Because I'd only had the one episode, I originally chose the medicine.  However, after having a few more minor episodes, I decided I didn't want to live like that.  The fear of having an episode and the paranoia were almost worse than the episodes themselves.  I had a catheter ablation on December 1st and have been episode free ever since.  The procedure was a breeze and I've felt great ever since.  I'm going tomorrow for my 6-week checkup and hopefully will be coming off the beta blockers for good.  I've found the beta blockers make me lazy and cause short term memory problems.  Can't wait to get off of them! 

I absolutely recommend the catheter ablation for those of who for whom it's an option.