SVT

I've had my pacemaker for a year now. I recently went for a pacer check, and they asked me if I had been feeling alright,I told them I had been feeling some palpitations once in a while but I didn't think it was anything to worry about. Of course I now know it is. I have a pretty good amount of medical knowledge but tis thing just baffles me. Turns out that a pacemaker won"t do anything for SVT's (seems I was having quite a few svt's(supraventricular tachycardia)). They then put me on beta - blockers and told me to get a pacer check in a month and an appointment with my EP. If it doesn't help I will need ablation of the SV node. They say this is something they see sometimes in people with pacemakers. I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced anything like this?I would appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Margaret

2 Comments

SVT

by scadnama - 2008-11-06 11:11:37

Margaret,

I have SVT and IST (inappropriate sinus tachycardia). My doctor's didn't really start doing anything about it until I became symptomatic. Otherwise, it was just a wait and see approach.
If you are feeling fine and aren't having dangerously high rates, I would expect them to just keep a close on it to make sure that it doesn't progress.

SVT, flutter for 8 years

by Angelie - 2008-11-07 10:11:33

I've battled SVT for 8 years now. After exhausting all meds and treatments, my EP doc, local cardiologist, plus a 2nd opinion doc, and I came up with a plan. Load me up with Beta blockers and insert a dual chamber pacemaker but for right now just use one lead in the right atrium. They are monitoring me closely, and so far so good. I've had a few runs of flutter but they are short, thank God. They implanted the dual chamber just in case I need it in the future, it's already there. If this current plan doesn't work, my EP will ablate my AV node leaving me 100% pacer dependent. Right now, I'm 100% right atrium paced. My heart beat gets started with the pacer and my heart does the rest. I'm trying to hold out as long as I can in allowing my heart to do as much as it can naturally, but later on if I need the AV node ablation....that's okay too.
Best of luck to ya. Keep us informed.

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