[dld]

After reading bypeep and poohbear's posts about NSVT, it seems like it feels like a regular skipped beat. How do the rest of us know if we are having PVC's or NSVT??? I know I have had a 30 day monitor, but it never caught the "bad ones". Now I am wondering if my regular skips could be something more. I know it is my hypochondria setting me off, but I was just wondering....

[poohbear2026]

When I have the episodes of NSVT it feels like really quick beats all together and I usually get a little faint feeling but don't actually pass out. But I have been reassured by a dr and electrophysiologist at Duke that it is okay in a structurally normal heart. Try not to worry that just makes it worse.

Anita

[dld]

Thank you! Sometimes I just need reassurance

[bypeep]

DLD,

Let me rephrase my description for your peace of mind.

What I felt was "normal" for me - it wasn't one of the really bad rhythms I tend to get into and it didn't last for more than the span of two/two and a half normal heartbeats. It felt like two PVC's back to back, with a lot of pressure in the hollow of my throat and kind of a rush afterwards. It was strong, but I never felt the 9 ventricular beats. Just the first thump and the last thump. I felt something moving in my chest, but it felt more like my heart had clenched up than anything. Like I said, it didn't overly worry me because it was so frigging quick.

It wasn't until I called the event in that I got worried because what seemed to me like a slightly longer than normal pause with pressure, was actually very quick and regular on the monitor. Even then I had myself convinced it was an SVT, which I have heard can cause the canon A waves that I was most likely feeling.

I guess my point was that I had to reevaluate how I define my palpitations. All last night, every time I had one I wondered, was it one? two? three? more?

I'm sure that yours are just single ectopics and no more. If you have had monitoring and they have never caught complex ectopy, most likely you're not having these. Plus, Pooh and I seem to be like twins in that ovulation tends to bring these episodes on.

My cardio seemed more reassured with the the fact that it was monomorpic in appearance - but really wasn't too impressed about the 9 beat run. I believe that they are going to extra lengths because I had a nervous breakdown at my doctors yesterday when he gave me my report.

I think he's just being thorough and that's why I like him. He told me that the ONLY way to find out what my heart was capable of was to provoke it. Otherwise, it was a slight guessing game. The other reason for the EP study is that I'm not just having the NSVT, I'm having two other as of yet uncaught rhythms. He wants a complete picture because treatment for one can interfere with treatment for another - at least that's what he told me today. He thinks I'm also experiencing A-fib and SVT. The EP study is the fastest and most direct way of getting a solid result. MRI is next, just to rule out ARVD.

[dld]

Thank you so much. I am the type that will read something and then next week I will have all of the symptoms I read about. Your explanation was very thorough and I am going to try to go back to believing that everything I have is benign. I wish you good luck. Hopefully you will get some answers that reassure you. Denise

[poohbear2026]

I'm starting to get nervous too. I sure hope I have been through enough testing...This talk about electrophysiologist studies are making me think I should ask for one. What do you all think? My husband thinks I am crazy.

[jsuter69]

Poohbear, I think you should do anything just to get peace of mind!! I say git r dun!!

[dld]

Poohbear,

If it will make you feel better, ask for one. But, in a structurally normal heart you have nothing to worry about -as we have all been told. So I do think that you will come out with the same answer.

[bypeep]

Pooh,

Here's my opinion:

You've had an MRI and your heart is structurally sound - that's step one. But, you've still got this arrhythmia that is eating you alive, day in and day out!

If by the grace of some higher power they are able to induce it and ablate it, how would you feel about your life if you were worry free? Can you imagine how amazing it would be for you to be overtired and not have to worry all day long that you're going to throw a run or two? Or that you can (this is all me talking here...) go to that concert without dreading something bad happening to embarrass you or your hubby?

Ask for the EP study. Get that sucker burnt. Have not only peace of mind, but confidence!!!!!

[jayone]

I am positive I have some form of SVT. I've had them a lot in the past I can remember them from years back. Today I had some. I know what a normal skip feels like and this was no normal skip.

I get so confused as to why they happen out of the blue for no reason at all and then disappear. It's like they pop in for a moment to say "Yep, I'm still here, don't forget me" and then go.

I had a cup of tea and toast and it happened shortly after that. Maybe it's related. I don't know.

When it happens it knocks you about. I get tiered, feel a little off for around 15 minutes. Once I've relaxed I am back to normal, but the fear of another one lives with me all day.