A private sort of subject, but one that needs attention, especially for those of us who have SVT. I cannot stress the importance of having daily easy bowel movements..for so many reasons…but especially to help avoid an SVT. I will start with an energetic reason….We want things flowing down…not up….If the bowels are clogged up and energy, waste, toxins are not passing through, it builds up, taxes our system, and puts pressure on the intestines which in turn puts pressure on the heart. Since our hearts are already pre-disposed to “extra pathways” “” wiring”” us for an SVT, we want to try to avoid stressing this already compromised area. Healthy daily bowel movements, keep things flowing in a down and out motion and can be considered a preventative measure.
In order to achieve “healthy, daily, bowel movements”, we need to pay close attention to what we eat so that we are insuring that everything will be absorbed and passed easily. Things that help with this are:
- Cod liver oil ( I put 1 teaspoon in my smoothie each day)
- adding probiotics to your daily regime. morning and before bed
- magnesium (good for heart and bowels)
- 1 scoop green vibrance each day in water ( I do this first thing each day)
- ground flax sprinkled onto anything..yogurt, salads, smoothies, (at least 1x per day)
- water (depending on your height, weight, about 50-60 oz per day)
- aloe vera juice 2 oz at night or follow directions on bottle (great for people who are constipated)
- fish oil (I take 2-3 tablets per day)
- breathing…3 times per day, nice long deep inhales and exhales…from the stomach (before you eat, before bed)
- avoiding wheat, gluten, dairy (sorry!)
- increasing vegies, greens, salads, etc
- adding whole grains like quiona, rolled oats
- snacking on veggies with hummus
- snacking on apples with almond butter
- switching ice cream for almond milk or coconut milk ice cream. Add some carob chips if you have to have some chocolate crunch (this is such a good alternative for people who have an ice cream addiction…!!!)
The frequency and consistency of your bowel movement is directly related to your state of health…Loose stools are not any better than hard infrequent ones….If you are tracking your diet, make sure you are also tracking your BM’s…they give great value and insight into how you can continue to manipulate your diet to help support your efforts to avoid SVT’s.
Nearly every SVT I have ever had was on a day that I DID NOT have a morning bowel movement. IT can really set you up for an SVT especially since the reason you are probably not having a BM is because you ate something you were allergic to that is clogging you up and slowing things down…(wheat, gluten dairy, meat). It’s a double edge sword really…you are leaving the allergen in your system for longer which makes you prone in general and then you also clogged up the energetic, downward, flow of things…a major contributor to the “perfect storm.”
SO….What to do if you did not have a morning bowel movement to help things move…
- drink lots of warm water with lemon
- add a little liquid chlorophyll to your water
- take some electrolytes with your water (NOT Gatorade). Buy some electrolytes packets from the health food store. they are great packets to carry with you and drink especially when you feel “Off”
- don’t eat ANY bread, dairy
- If possible only eat greens until you have a BM. maybe some sautéed spinach, or steamed broccoli, kale juice etc
- take extra cod liver oil
- stretch
- go for a 1/2 hour walk
- and pay attention to the subtle clues that you are ready to go….When I havent gone and need to, some of my signs are: my heart starts murmuring, sometimes I feel hot, and nausea…
There are soooo many reasons that it is important to have nice daily BM’s. Preventing SVT’s are just one of them! Feel free to comment on foods that clog you up or help things flow!
Oh my goodness, thank you for this post. I thought I was imagining it but I saw a connection and began to look into it. I hate SVT it robs me of joy in my life. Thank you for this information.
Thank you for your comments. I strongly encourage you and everyone with SVT to really look into food allergies as a possible trigger. My SVT and overall symptoms have decreased drastically since I eliminated Wheat and dairy from my diet. I know its such a big change, but if you feel better and less stressted about having an SVT its worth it. Consider doing a stool sample with enterloab. you can read your own results. You may be shocked about what you are allergic to. I was…..There is so much to learn about digestive health and overall health. Its so deeply connected. Keep a food diary to draw connections to what you ate and your symptoms. Good Luck! Write anytime, I love to hear from you!
Are you on any medication? I am on Diltiazem and would like to get off it but I’m afraid to. I never had to get a shot or anything with my SVT, it does pass with ice on the neck or bearing down. Just wondering. Thanks.
I’m so thankful for this site. I had my first SVT episode in highschool but didn’t know what it was until 2007 when I went to the hospital because my HR was at 205. I didn’t have it for years until recently in Sept of the his year. Then again just last week. In very religious so I pray to God and it is my faith that He is taking care of me.
My episode this past week happened when I work up in the morning. I do recall having a stressful night before. I also had Arbys roast beef, curly fried, ranch and green tea with artificial sweeteners for dinner. Could this be the cause? I know it’s our whole wiring system but I do believe in prevention.
I do know that I need to lose weight as well. Did you lose weight with this whole lifestyle change?
Also do you have any gluten-free meal plans?
Thank-you so much for posting this [6 years ago]! I’ve had SVT since 2010 and have all but narrowed it down to GI triggers (including constipation and consumption of Gluten, alcohol, popcorn, etc). Mostly notice the PVC’s leading up to SVT when I haven’t had a good bowel movement in several days. Most of my SVT episodes occur at night. Heart rate gets fast for 15-60 seconds, I get, light-headed, shaky, sweaty, breathless & nauseous and often have a pre-syncope/syncope episode (the scariest part), and then it’s usually over. Thankfully, I’ve only had SVT a few times each year, and it hasn’t increased in frequency (if anything, its decreased).
Thank you so much for posting this article. I only just got SVT for the first time this year, at age 38, and I am having it alongside gastric disturbances and digestion/elimination issues (at least partially caused by stress). I have been clueless about what is typical for this condition, and I find this article to be very helpful. I was also very lucky to find a Dr who would diagnose this and give me a med called Bystolic. There were no food-suggestions or pamphlets on SVT in the medical office, and there has already been some new food triggers, so I will have to research this on my own.
Have you read The SVT Prevention Diet? Thats the best place to begin!