So, just go see a cardiologist right?

[Travelassie]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

Interesting. That pocket EKG device sounds like the best bet for Jill. I googled the Apple Watch-amazing tech but it sounds like the particular app needed isn't available quite yet.

Travelassie, have you considered an ablation for your SVT?

That may be in my future. The SVT had been very well controlled for many years with the metoprolol till maybe a year ago, so I didn't consider ablation an option those years. But it seems the cardiologist I saw many years ago after the first SVT episode that wouldn't stop on its own and landed me in the ER where I got adenosine was right. He was pushing for an ablation then, told me that as I got older, the SVT would become more troublesome, frequent and the medications wouldn't work as well to control it. The details of ablation sounded barbaric and scared the bejibbers out of me back then, and considering how seldom I had episodes, I refused to even consider ablation and opted for control by medication.

The cardiologist I currently see says he doesn't blame me for refusing ablations under the circumstances back then. But especially considering that SVT ablation is pretty much ( or can be) curative, and the hits to the quality of life between the symptoms of the SVT (they're afraid I will pass out, hasn't happened but it's been close) and side effects of the metoprolol, it's time to bite the bullet and reconsider. I have a feeling this will be brought up during my upcoming cardiology visit in a couple weeks.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Travelassie

That may be in my future. The SVT had been very well controlled for many years with the metoprolol till maybe a year ago, so I didn't consider ablation an option those years. But it seems the cardiologist I saw many years ago after the first SVT episode that wouldn't stop on its own and landed me in the ER where I got adenosine was right. He was pushing for an ablation then, told me that as I got older, the SVT would become more troublesome, frequent and the medications wouldn't work as well to control it. The details of ablation sounded barbaric and scared the bejibbers out of me back then, and considering how seldom I had episodes, I refused to even consider ablation and opted for control by medication.

The cardiologist I currently see says he doesn't blame me for refusing ablations under the circumstances back then. But especially considering that SVT ablation is pretty much ( or can be) curative, and the hits to the quality of life between the symptoms of the SVT (they're afraid I will pass out, hasn't happened but it's been close) and side effects of the metoprolol, it's time to bite the bullet and reconsider. I have a feeling this will be brought up during my upcoming cardiology visit in a couple weeks.

I had it done 20 years ago, after living with the condition for 20 years. It did not require an overnight in the hospital or going completely under.

Apparently the procedure now freezes the extraneous tissue rather than burning it. Anyway, quite successful in my case. Occasionally the pace will go fast for a couple seconds but it never catches into a loop. This was to be expected, according to the doctor I saw. Indeed, a huge improvement in my quality of life.

My history was as you describe-as I got older the SVT began occurring far more frequently. Tried taking daily meds but I hated the side effects so dumped them after a few days and just popped a pill when an attack came up. Eventually that didn't always work either. No doubt metoprolol is more effective though-never heard of it so wasn't an option back then.