Discussions

Through the years, we have received amazing, insightful comments from people from all over the world. This page is a library of all those discussions for you to use as reference. The information here is extremely valuable and not to be missed. To add to the conversation, and receive my reply, you can comment on any of the blog posts. This page is for reference only.

  • From debhadden87 on The COURSE

    Hey Laura,

    Here’s an update from me. I remember saying your last SVT was when you moved. I moved two months ago, and guess, what? I had an SVT. Stress (and anger as I was angry the day of that SVT) is definitely the trigger for me.

    I am happy to say I have not had an SVT in two months. This is the longest SVT period I have gone since July. I’m doing my best to keep all of the “cardinal rules” and am glad to have them concisely listed on your web site.

    I was plagued with a large amount of PVC’s during those weeks from July to September when I was also having trouble with SVT’s. Despite my admission that magneisum might not help, I had a new experience with it helping me. I was led to change to a new brand, and that did the trick, as I am now using magnesium gycinate in a more pure capsule form instead of tablet, and I can tell a huge difference. My PVC’s went down, and I’m SVT free since then, and muscle cramping is virtually gone.

    The decrease of the PVC activity tells me that my focus on minerals, which was the only tangible change in the routine that I made, is a very helpful focus, but I now also know two things, I must get my sleep, and I must not get angry with people. Every SVT has been triggered, for me, by anger. What a mood regulator that knowledge has become.

    I know this is not a trigger for all people, but for me, it must have to do with the stress hormones produced during anger.

    I wanted to post in my reply my new routine for converting, because I had a lot of practice this last summer. As you might remember I couldn’t convert in October 2012 and had to have two adenosine pushes, but in the last year I have learned a new technique that has helped me 100%.

    First let me say that all of the vasal vagal maneuvers only make the SVT’s ramp up for me. What I do is take a magnesium capsule, drink 12 ounces of cold water, and then go lay down on my side and try to think of something funny or happy. When I do that I can convert in less than 15 minutes, and my last conversion was under a minute. It felt empowering. For the first time in 1 1/2 years I feel like I can do normal things again, like exercise away from home, drive to other cities alone, etc.

    Best wishes to you and all of your readers as you work on creating a support avenue for others suffering from this condition.

    2013/11/04 at 9:10 pm

    • From onaille on The COURSE

      Deb, I was wondering if you take magnesium on a daisy basis or just when you’re having an episode? You mentioned muscle cramps. I’m getting cramps in my calves during the night. Im thinking that maybe my magnesium level is down which can account for some episodes that I’ve had recently.

      2014/08/24 at 10:53 pm

      • From nourishmyspirit on The COURSE

        I ALSO get cramps in my legs or feet prior to having an SVT!!!!! I think it might be LOW IRON, as it happens when I have plenty of cal mag, and other supplements. I bought a liquid iron supplement called Floradix that I take occasionally and I think it helps with the cramps and avoids an SVT. This is another CLUE that WE need to figure out and thread together!!!!!!

        2014/08/25 at 1:38 am

    • From Dr. George Blagoue on The COURSE

      Magnesium may appear to be the answer for you at the moment, but continued usage will eventually build Mg++ levels in excess, upsetting ratios with other important minerals crucial to a regular heartbeat.
      Beginning in April 2013 I posted several comments relating to the importance of mineral balance with SVT and every other “health problem” you can name. I’m wondering if any of them were read?
      I’ve come to the conclusion that forums/support groups/etc. must serve some other purpose (misery loves company) or there would have been numerous replies to my comments. It would appear free, unsolicited advice is not valued. I’ll stick to helping those who pay me for my services, as most tend to follow my suggestions to the letter and appreciate my time and knowledge. When you tire of dancing around the problem and want to address the cause, you may want to read those above-mentioned comments before they’re deleted. Good luck. You’re going to need it.

      2014/01/02 at 8:07 pm

      • From Cp on The COURSE

        GB.
        I want to thank you for your posting. It is very easy to throw minerals and suppliments at SVT. I too am scared to travel far and am afraid to be alone. My last episode was about 2 weeks ago. I had to be taken by ambulance to hospital with hb of 220. I was losing my mind. I’m a very active person so this as you can imagine has slowed me down. Thank you for your postings, they do not go unappreciated.

        2015/07/07 at 2:56 am

  • From angela auxter on Listen to Your SVT

    Thanks for all your information it is very helpful.What exactley is journaling ?                         Blessings Angela 🙂

    2013/11/04 at 4:29 pm

    • From laura on Listen to Your SVT

      Journaling is when you write down your feelings, thoughts, stories, bullet points or anything similar in a notebook that is personal and private for only you to see. It is a wonderful and free way to express yourself, gain insights, make decisions, and learn about yourself. Visit my e-guides and journaling page to learn more! xo

      2016/09/10 at 9:21 pm

  • From sokkongtaing on ABOUT

    Dear Laura,

    Thank you so much for the blog. Now, I get to see better why I have such thing. It was so scary to me as I am an international student living abroad alone and experienced this last month. I was sent to ER alone without anyone. 🙁 The Dr. said it might have been because I got diarrhea the night before the episode. I am glad you post it and that at least gives me some emotional support. I can’t tell my family because I believe they will be too worried. I hope by looking after myself and eat healthy food, I won’t experience it again.

    2013/11/03 at 6:20 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on ABOUT

      Thank you for sharing your story! Yes, the diarrhea may have brought it on because it depletes your body of essential minerals. My question would be WHY did you have diarrhea in the first place?…did you eat something bad? Do you normally have loose stools ( a telltale sign of a hidden food allergy), the real clue is in what was going on a day or so before the diarrhea because something was already going haywire…Each of us have different triggers….Make sure you are eating enough iodine, and other essential minerals. They sell liquid minerals that you can add to water and smoothies. Drink your greens! and don’t eat foods or alcohol or sugar that depletes us. Obviously your body is sensitive and is trying to tell you something…just try hard to listen to what it is saying to YOU!!! Did the ER give you a shot of adenosine to stop your SVT? or were you able to stop it on your own? Try to stop it on your own next time so you don’t have to go to the ER. Try to “bear down” and push like you would if you were having a real bowel movement, and if you are near a bathroom, actually try to have a bowel movement…that usually breaks an SVT. Also if you feel one starting, immediately start to blow air super hard into your cupped hands. You can also try a yoga posture shoulder stand, or laying chest up hanging off the side of a bed. and don’t let up trying to stop it sometimes its takes 20 minutes or so…still better than going to the ER. Also, to really tune it to the messages of your own body, was there anything you were ignoring prior to the SVT? Were you tired? overworked or pushing yourself just too hard? Did you sleep enough and eat right? I’m sure your body was giving you some other clues to listen to before the SVT happened that were trying to tell you to either “slow down”, or rest, or that “Im depleted”! Just try to be as honest as you can with yourself because that way you will really listen to your body next time and put the brakes on before an SVT occurs…Its all about prevention!!! Feel free to write anytime, Im always here to listen and reply! A good affirmation for you would be “I am safe” and ” I know how to tune in to my body and give it what it needs”, Say those over and over every day to yourself….All the best to you, write anytime, love and healing, Laura

      2013/11/04 at 3:04 pm

  • From sokkongtaing on The COURSE

    Dear Laura,

    Thank you so much for the blog. Now, I get to see better why I have such thing. It was so scary to me as I am an international student living abroad alone and experienced this last month. I was sent to ER alone without anyone. 🙁 The Dr. said it might have been because I got diarrhea the night before the episode. I am glad you post it and that at least gives me some emotional support. I can’t tell my family because I believe they will be too worried. I hope by looking after myself and eat healthy food, I won’t experience it again.

    2013/11/03 at 6:20 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on The COURSE

      Thank you for sharing your story! Yes, the diarrhea may have brought it on because it depletes your body of essential minerals. My question would be WHY did you have diarrhea in the first place?…did you eat something bad? Do you normally have loose stools ( a telltale sign of a hidden food allergy), the real clue is in what was going on a day or so before the diarrhea because something was already going haywire…Each of us have different triggers….Make sure you are eating enough iodine, and other essential minerals. They sell liquid minerals that you can add to water and smoothies. Drink your greens! and don’t eat foods or alcohol or sugar that depletes us. Obviously your body is sensitive and is trying to tell you something…just try hard to listen to what it is saying to YOU!!! Did the ER give you a shot of adenosine to stop your SVT? or were you able to stop it on your own? Try to stop it on your own next time so you don’t have to go to the ER. Try to “bear down” and push like you would if you were having a real bowel movement, and if you are near a bathroom, actually try to have a bowel movement…that usually breaks an SVT. Also if you feel one starting, immediately start to blow air super hard into your cupped hands. You can also try a yoga posture shoulder stand, or laying chest up hanging off the side of a bed. and don’t let up trying to stop it sometimes its takes 20 minutes or so…still better than going to the ER. Also, to really tune it to the messages of your own body, was there anything you were ignoring prior to the SVT? Were you tired? overworked or pushing yourself just too hard? Did you sleep enough and eat right? I’m sure your body was giving you some other clues to listen to before the SVT happened that were trying to tell you to either “slow down”, or rest, or that “Im depleted”! Just try to be as honest as you can with yourself because that way you will really listen to your body next time and put the brakes on before an SVT occurs…Its all about prevention!!! Feel free to write anytime, Im always here to listen and reply! A good affirmation for you would be “I am safe” and ” I know how to tune in to my body and give it what it needs”, Say those over and over every day to yourself….All the best to you, write anytime, love and healing, Laura

      2013/11/04 at 3:04 pm

  • From Jenay Baker on What's in my smoothie?

    So after recently getting diagnosed with SVT and finding this AMAZING blog, I am not gluten and sugar free and new to this smoothie thing. I made the smoothie above it a NutriBullet and a blender, but it is so grainy and powdery. Is this just something I need to get used to or is there a secret when using all three powders to make it smooth?? I tried adding ice and more ice milk, variety of berries ect, but I am thinking grainy is just normal. Is it?? THANKS!!

    2013/10/31 at 1:24 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on What's in my smoothie?

      Hi!!! Thanks for your post! The answer is no, it should not be grainy at all….and I NEVER use ICE or MILK! Two big NO’s…The best turn out is to use a room temp ripe banana and a combo of frozen blueberries, strawberries, pineapple. Then add rice milk, honey a little bit of ground flax or flax seed oil, and any combo of green vibrance or mediclear. None of those ingredients are grainy…Should be smooth and cold almost like frozen yogurt or even ice cream…depending on how much rice milk you add….Ive never used a nutria bullet only a vitamix or regular blender…! Try again! and post exactly what you are using and what brands….remember berries must be frozen…no ice!!!! All the best, keep trying!!!! xo Laura

      2013/10/31 at 2:02 pm

  • From Stephanie on My Story

    Apologies, I accidental replied to the first story at the top of this page.

    I like most others am in tears at finding this blog.
    I am 42 and have not formally been diagnosed with SVT as I use to be able to stop it within half hour or so of onset.
    My first attack was when I was 12. I had been at a water park all day climbing an abundance of stairs over and over again to go down a water slide. By the time I’d reached home my heart was beating out of control , when I say out go control I mean you couldn’t ever count the beats it was crazy. My mother a RN put me to bed to rest with fluid and told me it was palpitations. It eventually stopped but after a really really long time, maybe a couple of hours.
    I never had it again, until I was pregnant with my first and only child. In my last trimester I was driving and I was a bit anxious about a news report on the radio and BAMM my heart skips a beat, I get that sense of impending doom and my heart takes off… I reach my destination and have to lie down really worried about my unborn baby. After about an hour it subsides.
    Nothing again until 2 years ago, at the gym and finished a work out, it’s like I’m holding my breath and WHAM it happens… Racing so fast that my friend with me who is a RN can’t get a radial pulse reading and my body is shaking . Lasted for about 35minutes. Fast forward I get it again whilst attending an 80th birthday party interstate. I was anxious before I went and I am most certain my anxiety bought this on. This time I had it for 1.5 hours I got my husband to drive me to the nearest hospital which was 40minutes away… When I got to A and E the nurse wasn’t taking me seriously and was mucking around with my details which made me cranky and all of a sudden WHAM it stopped. They hooked me up anyway to ECG and couldn’t find anything. The doctor recommended to my husband to do coroted massage down both sides of my neck next time to stop it (I have since been told that this is a dangerous method as it can cause clots to the brain) the doctor suspected SVT.
    Have had it in an off since then , we did the massage which would work, sometimes I could stop it before it took off. Other times I’d sit on the loo and push as advised by that country doctor.
    I started making notes on my calendar every time it happened, I noticed that it seemed more prevalent in the week leading up to my period. Very interesting. And I also felt that carbohydrate tipped my anxiety and palpitations off which can lead to SVT. I just had an attack 2 nights ago, I then got my period the next day. My attack lasted for an hour. I just stay at home now and try and breath them away. It was scary to read isabellasmoms story of AFib I really hope I don’t have that.
    I have had a huge family tragedy in January this year, shocking . I am suffering a lot of anger and anxiety over this event and I most certainly know that the manifestation of anger is not good for the heart.
    I am due to go OS in January with my husband and daughter and am really afraid this will happen on the aircraft.
    I am now going gluten free, I see the benefits and I do believe I am gluten intolerant.
    Thank you for your blog. I am so grateful.

    2013/10/28 at 4:29 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Hi Stephanie, Im so happy you posted. Your story is so similar to mine and many others….The fear of not knowing if it is going to happen…thinking about it all the time, it happening around your period, pregnant, anxious etc….The good news is that, in my own experience (and for others), eliminating gluten has drastically helped reduce the frequency of my SVT’s and also coincidentally, my anxiety in general. I don’t have panic attacks anymore or even general anxiety. I’ve done a lot of work on my anger, and really healing old wounds from the past….I’ve also changed any stressful circumstances in my life (it only took about 6 years!). Point being, my stress is down, my anxiety is drastically down and my SVT’s are (dare I say) gone. If I were you, I would really focus on sleep, tons of water, light stretching and walking, journaling and lots of greens. Try the green vibrance, I swear by it. Also make sure you are taking probiotics and having nice bulky bowel movements every morning. During travel, just prepare yourself in advance…Take your water, ice pack, and practice meditation so that you can use it if you get nervous on the plane….Remember, even if it does happen on a plane, it will eventually do away. Try bearing down to stop it, and also blowing really hard into your cupped hands right as its starting…that one has worked for me a few times. I also do the neck massage which has stopped it a few times…Don’t carry anything heavy and in general try to book vacations NOT around your period. I really think eliminating the gluten will help! You are on the right track, and the more you do to benefit your health, the less you will worry about your SVT’s. Just be honest with yourself if you are being as healthy as you can possibly be. Its actually fun to be healthy…and it’s contagious to those around you! Self-care is a cure all! All the best, Write anytime, Peace and healing, Laura

      2013/10/28 at 2:38 pm

  • From Kayleigh on My Story

    Reading this blog has made me feel much more at peace. I’m a 20 year old college student diagnosed with SVT when I was about 8 or 9 after a long night at dance. My mom also has it, and luckily it lasted so long the doctors caught it the first time it happened. After about 8 or 9 episodes I decided to have the ablation when I was 14. I didn’t have any symptoms until I was a senior in high school. I have not had any episodes where my heart beats an extreme amount, however now I have flutters that are unbearable. I can’t lay on my right side.. EVER. I bend down fast and it feels like my hearts skipping beats, and being hungover is the worst feeling ever. I wore a heart monitor and my cardiologist said that these are symptoms of SVT.. to try beta blockers, or to get an ablation. But I’m so unsure of what to do. It has never had such a negative affect on me. My anxiety is through the roof, and I can’t drink caffeine or alcohol without the side effects being triggered. I’m not sure why I’m posting this, I guess just to assure people they aren’t alone. I worry a lot too, and also assume that my doctors aren’t right sometimes. But hopefully things will get better. Thanks to everyone who posted.

    Kayleigh

    2013/10/28 at 4:03 am

    • From Sam on My Story

      how are you now? did you ever get an ablation?

      2015/06/30 at 11:07 am

      • From Laura Madrigano on My Story

        HI Sam, I am great. No I would never have ablation! I havent had an SVT in over a year and a half now and in general I have had 1 in about the last 3 years. I have drastically reduced my episodes and have also improved my overall health tremendously. Have you tried any of my suggestions on the site yet? How frequently do you have an SVT? I completely understand that you are afraid to get the ablation, I was too, that is why I tried to do more natural remedies and they work!!! Let me know if you would like a free 30 minute skype session to discuss your situation. I offer 1-on-1 coaching and we can look at your overall situation to see what lifestyle changes might help you! The first call is free, I would LOVE to help, let me know if you are interested! All the best, Laura

        2015/06/30 at 11:55 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Hi Kayleigh, I am so happy you posted! You are a young girl with your whole life ahead of you and its great that you are learning so early on what your triggers are….believe me, although it may not seem so now, not drinking or really only drinking occasionally is one of the best things you can do for yourself! Also, drinking to the point of a hangover is too much for your sensitive nature and the sooner you self-care the sooner you will feel better! Drink tons of water, and herbal decaf tea with yummy honey and you will feel soothed. If you must drink, try some nice wine and only one glass and only once in a while. And remember, drink 2 full glasses of water for every drink. Also increase your Vit B. Its never too early to dedicate your life to your health and try now to really develop some habits that you like and make you feel good and will have a positive impact on your body. Practice yoga and walking and journaling…Watch what you eat, try going gluten free and cut out the caffeine. Feel free to post anytime, Im always here for anyone who posts. I love hearing from everyone and am happy to help with specifics. All the best, Stay strong! Once you really take control of your health, this condition is not as scary as it seems! All the best, Laura

      2013/10/28 at 2:47 pm

  • From Cierra on My Story

    I am currently crying while reading many of these stories. I was diagnosed last year with SVT: I too worked in healthcare which I find very interesting seeing that a few other commenters are apart of the field; which can be an extremely stressful environment at times. I have episodes at the most random times and I feel extremely emotional and out of control when I do. It’s hard to breath and I panic making everything worse. I had an unsuccessful ablation after I was diagnosed, which discouraged me entirely, that was the start of currently the most stressful time of my life. The whole situation put me out of work and on disability. At the time I was dealing with some other minor health issues. Everything together was enough for me to lose my job. Anyhow I have been searching for ways to function through all of this and needless to say it’s very hard. Stress just makes everything about SVT worse and unfortunately I’m living under constant stress. I’m so interested in learning from others about diets that can help. I was also curious if anyone else on here ever suffers from migraines and if anyone else has the onset of a massive migraine after an episode? I find my SVT almost always trigger them…

    2013/10/26 at 1:51 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Hi Cierra, Thank you for your post! Sounds like this blog can give you some ideas on where to start with diet and some other self-care tools. Gluten Free eating is the number one place to start if you are suffering!!!….Since you know that your life is very stressful and that stress plays a huge role….Is there anyway that you can start to really reduce the stress in your life? Sometimes we don’t think there is a way and have been resisting taking the steps that will lead to our relief…Maybe your health is trying to speak to you and its up to you and only you to try to listen and give your self what you need…!!! Every one of our cases is so unique but I know that no matter how hard, there is always a way to change a nagging situation…and I also know that long standing nagging situations and stress are factors in this condition. I wish you all the best, and am happy to try to answer any specific questions…feel free to post anytime and I will always reply! Hope and healing, Laura

      2013/10/26 at 12:56 pm

  • From Deborah Soulier on The INNER circle

    Hello everyone, I am very glad to have found all of you. Thank you Laura for this amazing site. Here is my story that I would like to share with you. I had a cardiac ablation in April 2009 for SVT AVRT. Prior to the ablation my heart rates would get up to over 225 bpm. After the ablation, I had some weird stuff happening, I would still get some rapid heartbeat episodes but I was told that the heart was healing. I had an extremely long episode in April 2011 (2 weeks) when I last saw my EP. Of course I wore the holter monitor for 2 weeks and nothing showed. I also had an Echo and nothing showed. Things started to settle down after that episode in 2011 and I haven’t had any kind of problem since even though I was eating gluten, etc. Now 2 1/2 years later it has started all over again. Since Oct 21 my heart has been stuck in some higher heart rate hovering around 100 bpm and I am short of breath. It is freaking me out. I am scared all over which of course makes it worse. I have had an extremely difficult year health-wise, I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in April and had a radical hysterectomy in May. Oh, by the way I forgot to mention that I also came down with Shingles one week before my surgery which I am still suffering with. I did not have a breakout just the pain. Not fun! Who knows maybe this episode is stress related. Based on the symptoms I don’t think so. Anyway, typically I do eat quite healthy, I juice daily, eat a lot of greens, probiotics, etc. I was off wheat/gluten for some time and definitely felt better. I am again of wheat. I am so exhausted from this condition. Saw my DR last night, going for blood work this morning to see if it is low iron related and have an appointment on November 11 to see my EP. I will keep you posted!! Take care everyone Deborah xx

    2013/10/25 at 10:39 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on The INNER circle

      Hi Deborah, Thanks for sharing your story…Have you tested your stool at enterolab? Sounds like you need specific food allergy testing since you are eating “healthy” you would need a deeper understanding of whats going on in your gut…..Meanwhile, sounds like the shingles outbreak was stress related…most things are….The good news, is that after your health break”down” will hopefully come a breakthrough….Look at other areas of your life besides food and see what needs serious change…Are you carrying around old anger? Are you living your life purpose? Do you know what your life purpose is? Are you practicing daily self-care like rest, journaling, meditating, stretching, breathing, releasing….? So you have daily bowel movements? These are all just some other places to analyze….Best of luck to you, feel free to post anytime and I will always reply!!! Love and healing, Laura

      2013/10/25 at 12:51 pm

      • From Deborah Soulier on The INNER circle

        Hi Laura thank you for replying. No I have not had a stool tested yet. Sounds interesting. Definitely not carrying around old anger. I am a certified life coach and sometimes it is difficult coaching yourself. I recently did a blog post on stress reduction, rest, meditating, etc. But I certainly need to incorporate more into my life like most people. Never had a problem with bowel movements at least 2 per day due to all the juices, vegetables, fruit, flax etc. I am certainly looking for a breakthrough for sure. Anyway, very lovely to talk to you and again thank you for this wonderful site. Deborah xx

        2013/10/25 at 10:53 pm

  • From Axis Mundi on Gluten Intolerance and the SVT-GUT Connection

    Eliminating gluten from my diet literally saved my life and I was like the living dead before I realised what was making me feel this way. I don’t even regard bread as food now. Great article, thanks 🙂

    2013/10/22 at 8:49 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on Gluten Intolerance and the SVT-GUT Connection

      Thank you so much for your comment! I’m so happy when my philosophy’s speak to people! It is wonderful to hear about your improvement after eliminating gluten, All the best to you! Love and Health, Laura

      2013/10/25 at 12:55 pm

  • From Shaelyn on My Story

    Hello,
    My name is Shaelyn and I am a 19 year old college student. Earlier today I was sitting in a college lecture room when all of a sudden my heart started racing out of control. I felt like I had over-dosed on some drug like cocaine or meth. It was the first time in my life that I thought I was truly going to die. I have never been more afraid.

    The anxiety that followed afterwards was absolutely insurmountable. My aunt and cousin have both had heart transplants before the age of 30, and my brother who is 21 already has a pacemaker. My whole life I had been tested and told that I didn’t catch the “family gene” for heart problems. However, today I was convinced that I had it. I am so grateful to have found this blog because it has brought me peace after the scariest morning of my life.

    This was my very first episode, but I am comforted that other people have gone through this as well and have learned to manage it.

    One thing I have to add to this blog (that I haven’t seen anyone else post about) is indigestion problems. Yesterday (the day before my episode) I must have burped at least 30-40 times. It was incredibly strange and the whole day I was confused why I had been burping so much. I believe that indigestion was what triggered my SVT. I am going to do more research about the connection between burping/ acid reflux/ SVT. However, if anyone has more information PLEASE ADD IT!

    Thank you all so much for your contributions to this blog. <3

    2013/10/08 at 2:56 am

    • From subodh shukla (@suboshuk) on My Story

      Hi, I am Subodh Shukla from New Delhi, India. I am 57 years old male. I was diagnosed with PSVT about 8 years ago although I do not recall if there were earlier short episodes or not. However, after the diagnosis, which happened when I had an extended episode in 2007, I was told by the docs that RF ablation is a cure for this but the conservative advice was that one should get the procedure done only if the problem become unmanageable. So I have just lived with the problem because it was generally short episodes of a few minutes which reverted after a few deep breaths or other exercises.

      I have also felt that somehow the episodes are linked to my digestion. When an episode begins, I feel that a burp is building up in my throat and if I am able to burp, often it goes away.
      Of course there may be other reasons for onset of an episode but my personal experience tells me that it has something to do with my stomach at that time. Some of the patient experiences above seem to confirm this. Best wishes.

      2016/01/13 at 6:49 am

    • From Danielle on My Story

      So funny you mention that because my palpitations and light headedness got worse when I started having acid reflux

      2014/09/25 at 12:49 am

    • From Sophie on My Story

      Hi everyone,

      I also have SVT diagnosed when I was a child although it hasn’t been caught on an ecg since. Mine only last a few minutes but have been on a beta-blocker for a year now with some really great results. They freak me out whenever i have an episode.

      In response to the blog above I was finding that I was burping alot and getting more and more flutters – it turned out to be a lactose intolerance. Burping stopped and flutters calmed down when I stopped having products containing lactose.

      I also avoid caffeine and find foods containing msg trigger mine along with stress and being overtired, if I eat too much I have issues and lying on my left side.

      So glad to hear personal stories about this condition.
      Thankyou

      2014/08/06 at 9:23 am

    • From Patricia Rupchock on My Story

      Hello,

      My name is Pat, I am a 60 year old woman who had SVTs since I was 35. They have changed throughout the ages. The last year or so, I noticed that there is some connection with my eating and burping. My chiropractor said I have a hiatal hernia and when it is acting up, it gets close to my heart and irritates it. So yes, there is a connection between indigestion and SVTs.

      I used to have one or two long (30 – 90 minutes) SVT episodes a month when I was younger. Now I get 5 to 30 episodes a day! I used to be able to stop them within a few minutes by holding my breath. But recently, that has changed and they have become prolonged (6 minutes to 120 minutes). Last fall, I turned from hypothyroid to hyperthyroid and was recently diagnosed with Graves Disease as my TSI was high. But all my tests for the actual thyroid hormones are normal. Go figure! A natural doctor put me on female hormones (200 mg progesterone and 2.5 mg estriol) and that is when the SVTs became prolonged. I’ve stopped the hormones, but they have not improved too much as my stress level is high.

      I cannot even take vitamins sometimes as the capsules trigger the SVT within 5 minutes after taking them. My life is like hell right now and as I am single, there is no one who really understands my situation. I understand all of you people feelings and fears as they are with me all the time. I feel right now that my SVTs rule my life and I don’t want that. I am going to go off gluten and try to drink more water. I had subconsciously drank less water as sometimes the drinking brought on the SVTs. Thanks for the blog and all of your suggestions!

      2014/05/14 at 6:56 pm

      • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

        Hi Pat thank you so much for your post. If swallowing vitamins bothers you can you try to drink your vitamins? there a lot of vitamins that come in powder form. I recommend mediclear by Thorne. you can put a scoop of that in your smoothie every morning and it’s delicious and has tons of vitamins.

        Definitely try life without gluten!! lower your sugar and increase your water. in your case you’re admitting that you have a high level of stress so you have to do some things to bring your stress level down…some deep breathing meditation,baths etc but if you could just try to remember to exhale out your mouth that’ll help.

        stress and sugar definitely affect your hormones which affects the frequency of your SVT… Best of luck to you feel free to comment anytime and I will always try to reply! Xox

        2014/05/14 at 7:48 pm

    • From David on My Story

      I have indigestion problems after an episode and they take awhile to get back to normal. I believe and started questioning the correlation. Notice that burping, gas, stomach growls, indegestion and upset stomach can make me feel that episodes will trigger. When my stomach is fine it feels less likely the svt will occur. Might have to try a gluten free diet.

      2014/01/05 at 4:17 am

      • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

        Your comment is so interesting!!!! Im glad we are all starting to notice these correlations….To add to this theory further…I have said in the past that for myself, if I dont have a bowel movement Im 90% more likely to have an SVT…Therefore the whole stomach, digestion and bowel movement, is all connected to an increased risk for an SVT episode. Ive heard some people say that the “Gut” is the second brain, and that all disease begins there….Im so sure our SVT is linked to our diets and how we are digesting (or not digesting) certain foods. That must be why I do 100% better with my SVT when I follow an “allergy-free diet”. My advice to all is to start your detective work in your gut. Check out enterolab.com. Thats where I did my stool sample to get started. They are reputable, professional and will give you individualized evidence of what foods are triggering a allergic response in your system.

        2014/01/05 at 3:19 pm

    • From Anna on My Story

      Hi Shaelyn, I burp for several hours and experience stomach discomfort after an SVT. A couple of weeks ago I had a bad SVT with feeling chest pain, dizzy and faint, and so rushed to ED at local hospital to get an ECG trace and finally got a definitive diagnosis. When the SVT slowed down I got the burping (as usual). I asked the consultant if he knew why that would happen and he said there is a theory that when the heart is beating so fast the body draws blood away from the digestive system to the vital organs, and when the heart rate drops again, the blood returning to the digestive system causes feelings of indigestion. I notice when I do burp a lot in one go, that I have probably had a short burst of an SVT. The other thing that happens to me is urinary frequency. The docs in hospital and my doctor couldn’t give me an answer about that, so I did my own research ( I have access to medical data bases as I am a midwifery student) and found out that in some people the SVT puts pressure on the atria and triggers release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) which tells the kidneys to stop absorbing water, thus the extra fluid filling the bladder. I too get quite upset after an SVT around the unpredictability of it. However, the anxiety is not helpful if the SVT is triggered by stress (one of my triggers) as it compounds the problem. I decided that most of the time I feel fine, so I am better off focusing on being happy and relaxed than worrying when the next one is going to hit. In fact I went to a wedding on the weekend and I had to drive hours away from home. On the way I said to my kids “I better not get an SVT at the wedding” and guess what? I got one, because I was worried about it.
      The new thing I have discovered which I think really helps is EFT emotional freedom technique. Google it if you are interested. I used it at the wedding when I felt a second one coming on, as a friend suggested it, and I stopped it. Also agree with what Laura says in her comments. For me too, I have been repeating an affirmation “It is safe to love and be loved” as this helps my heart to feel emotionally healthy.

      2013/10/08 at 6:37 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Dear Shaelyn, Thank you so much for your post! Im so glad you took the time to write…Indigestion would be related to something your body was unable to digest easily and probably means that you ate a food allergy food. The BEST thing you can do for yourself is write down EXACTLY WHAT YOU ATE for the last few days and feel free to post it as a comment and I will help you evaluate it to see if we can find some possible allergen which caused the indigestion which lead to the SVT. I have also noticed in the past that burping is a symptom that could take place prior to an SVT…and the less stuck things are the better…Hence my advice on daily bowel movements and doing everything to support them….Are you taking probiotics? They help with soooo many things….Really give thought to exactly what you ate, when you ate it, if you were rushed, ate late, ate gluten etc….Considering your family has a history of heart issues just is a clue that you are SENSITIVE and have to make your heart health a priority…Managing these health issues isn’t a curse, in the long run it makes you healthier than most, and gives you a chance to admire your body for giving you the road map to exactly what YOU need to be healthy…Drink some decaf tea, maybe fennel or peppermint with some nice local honey if possible and eat light for the next few days….Rice, cooked veggies, soups, etc…Start a heart journal and keep track of your feelings, what you are eating, and see if you are disconnecting to anything in your life that needs attention…or ignoring your real needs and dreams…I hope you feel better and feel free to post your food intake…Your story helps others!!!! All the best, Laura

      2013/10/08 at 1:01 pm

  • From Joshua Snyder Chhc Aadp on Gluten Intolerance and the SVT-GUT Connection

    Wow! Thank you so much! I was born with WPWS and later developed PSVT. About 7 years ago I became a strict vegan and my symptoms decreased dramatically. In recent years I haven’t been so strict but I can certainly see a correlation between what I eat and how my heart responds. I’ve decreased my gluten consumption quite a bit. I have been eating a lot of peanut butter lately and I have noticed my symptoms increase. This blog helps strengthen my suspicion that I might have a slight sensitivity to peanuts. I doesn’t shock me knowing how potentially inflammatory peanuts can be. I have also been taking a supplement called Protandim and that has reduced my symptoms more than anything. I’m glad to read that someone else’s experience is similar to my own. For so long I thought I was the only one that knew about the Valsalva maneuver, lol. What a crazy thing to live with.

    2013/09/21 at 1:46 pm

  • From Felicia Holder on The INNER circle

    I’ve had SVT since 2nd or 3rd grade, from then till 21 I was told it was puberty, stress, etc… when I was 21 & at the ER one night, they caught it on my EKG. At age 24, 6 weeks after the birth of my 1st child, I had the cardiac ablassion. I loved it! Now, 16 years later, it’s back, but TOTALLY different! It’s so strange how different they are. I still get the racing heart beats, but now they pound. My stomach is effected, I get dizzy, blurry vision & a horrid heat flush! My whole head & chest, sometimes all the way down my arms & to my stomach will be bright red. Before it happens, my nose stuffs up and my upper lip tingle and it seems to always go hand in hand with my stomach. I always get stomach cramps with it, the same type you get before your period starts. They seem to tear my stomach up and once I have a bowel movement, it goes away (I do onow how to do the valsava techinque to stop svts, so I’m sure that’s related) and then I’m freezing cold, feel pike my eyes are on fire & have heart burn. These are a million times worse than when I was younger. I hate that they’ve came back, every EKG @ blood test say my heart is fine, but this crap sure doesn’t feel fine! I HATE it!!! ?

    2013/09/10 at 7:49 pm

    • From Jen on The INNER circle

      Thane thing happens to me. I start out with stomach pain and diarrhea and then the same thing happens to me!!! So scary!

      2015/07/29 at 9:35 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on The INNER circle

      Thanks for sharing your story! As usual, my completely non-medical opinion is…that abalation doenst not CURE the REASON why your body goes into an SVT. So, by having ablation, your body will just find another way to have the same original reaction…either through another pathway, in your case, its now stomach related…but your body is not HEALED….

      Abalation, like every other thing that only address the SYMPTOMS of dis-ease, doesn’t even begin to address WHY ON EARTH this is happening to random people to begin with…WHY ISNT ANY DR. looking for answers?….You are the hundredth story of abalation not working, so where they come up with their effective rates is beyond me. My vote is for you to really look at your diet…bottom line as you say so yourself, its all related…stomach, SVT, and bowel movements. Our bodies are giving us the clues…lets try to fit them together…What did you eat 24-48 hrs prior to your last SVT? and of course…Do you eat gluten? MORE than ever I KNOW that GLuten causes SVT and I will post again soon as to my latest findings…

      Prevention is the key with SVT just like every other major thing like diabetes and cancer…So while we all patiently wait for some miracle cure…we have to take matters into our own hands with as much prevention as possible….Read my past posts for all my self-care prevention tools…(being Gluten -free, drinking tons of water, green vibrance, green juice, journaling, healing anger, figuring out your food allergies etc) I hope these scary SVT’s you are having inspire you to live as healthy as you can, the best way you know how at this time! All the best, xoxo Laura

      2013/09/11 at 12:09 am

      • From Dave Leighton on The INNER circle

        Hi, I would like to add that I had SVT for 9 years, it would usually happen 2 -3 times a month for 8years. I went to ER several times and was taught to “bear down”, and sometimes it worked sometimes not and would last 45 minutes sometimes. Last year started having a lot more frequent, sometimes 10 – 20 times a day. I bought an oxygen concentrator and began using it when I felt it come on, and was amazed how quickly my heart would go back to rhythm. When I told my DR of my discovery with oxygen, he downplayed it, but it does really work. The sooner I use the oxygen the quicker I get over it. They checked my oxy. levels and said I shouldn’t need supplement oxygen, but did not offer any explanation of why it helped.

        2014/03/20 at 8:08 pm

  • From angela on SVT Question:

    Thanks we appreciate all your info.:)

    2013/08/29 at 3:32 am

  • From Danielle on My Story

    Hi, your story sounds very similar to mine. How can I read the rest of your blog to see what I can do to help my “svt” which, by the way, only one of my cardiologists thinks I might have. My other does not. They’ve never actually saw it on my EKG. I was given a beta blocker to take “as needed”. I’ve had palpitations, skipped beats for years. Started when I was around 18. Was worse while I was pregnant and so much worse after drinking alcohol. I’m in Napa right now and had a little wine. Very little hours before bed. Needless to say, I was up all night with terrible palpitations. I also have bad anxiety not sure which came first but it feeds off of each other. All my doctor keeps saying is that I’m not having a heart attack which is little comfort when my heart is racing. I ended up in the ER two years ago because I got thyroiditis which temporarily puts your body in hyperthyroid mode. Needless to say, I ended up in the ER. My heart rate was so fast it showed up in my blood work. In response to this my dr just said “I guess your heart was really moving.” That’s all he said. I’m so frustrated. Any suggestions would be great. I have learned certain things trigger it ie alcohol, big meals especially in the morning. If nothing else, it has allowed me to have a healthier lifestyle no smoking etc. I look healthy but feel like a wreck. I’m not sure when it will strike. I can’t tell the difference between anxiety/ panic and svt. I ‘m sorry this is so long. Any thoughts?

    2013/08/25 at 3:01 pm

    • From Danielle on My Story

      Btw I forgot to mention that my dad has a severe glutton allergy and, although, I don’t experience the same symptoms that he has, and a blood test showed I didn’t have it, I’m wondering if I could still be sensitive to it.

      2013/08/25 at 3:12 pm

  • From jen on one year later...

    This is an amazing story. It has helped me feel a little better tonight and that there may be some hope for my situation. I am 29. Five months pregnant for first time. My first SVT episode was 2.5 years ago post a red bull. Heart rate 255. Needed adenosine. I stopped all caffeine intake but after three days of working nights and not sleep good, four months later it happened again. Last an hr and half and by time I went into em room it stopped. Now almost 2.5 yrs later…and having small mini runs since….I’m pregnant and it happened at 12 weeks. Hr 210. Stoppedafter an hr of vagals. Now iI have runs of 130 hr that last two hrs when I they to sleep and I live in constant fear. I’m doing accupuncture for it in hopes it helps but still tachy . I think I may do allergy testing.

    2013/08/23 at 4:40 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on one year later...

      Hi Jen, Pregnancy brings them on so be extra mindful of your water intake, drinking plenty of greens, fresh juices, and try to keep a food diary and note exactly what you are eating and when it is happening. I can help you review your notes to make connections if you need me to….Also, make sure you bend with your legs and not from the waist. Take nice slow walks every day and reduce sugar and of course eliminate gluten. Im a strong advocate for testing for food allergies, but to save you the time and money during pregnancy just start with GLUTEN, its most likely the culprite…..Remember its all genetically modified now and we just become intolerant over time. Its in everything and we are just eating it too many times per day…I will write more about pregnancy and SVT on the blog as I am pregnant too!!!!

      2013/08/29 at 12:40 pm

  • From Debbie on Anxiety and SVT: Feel, Deal, Heal

    I mean my nails are not brittle anymore. 🙂

    2013/08/22 at 12:57 am

  • From Debbie on Anxiety and SVT: Feel, Deal, Heal

    HI Laura,

    You always know when I have SVT’s because I wind up commenting on your blog again on those days. MIne have become more frequent, as of late, having 2 in the last two months, but I have found a trend!!! I’ve had 8 SVT’s altogether and 7 of the 8 came after slouching or bending at the waist. I had one today. I was feeling great, and scurrying around picking things up (we are also moving), and bent over and triggered one while picking up something really fast off of the floor. The only other SVT I have had was after a near car accident and I was extremely sleep deprived. I have a hiatal hernia, so my theory is, when I eat too much and then do something quick and slouchy, my heart, trying to beat against my stomach gets angry and goes into SVT. Now my new concentration will be eating less amounts more frequently, and watching my posture, bending at the knees instead of the waist. Anxiety-wise, I am 100% better. I switched to Dr. Esselstyn’s Reverse Your Heart Disease Diet, am eating lots of complex carbs, and low-fat. I think it’s the extra carbs doing the trick, giving me more energy, and the less fat is healing my gut. I read your fissure story too. Great story. I found 100% aloe vera gel to be the natural solution for me. No longer having trouble with mine, and also avoided surgery, and so thankful. For my heart rhythm, I did find out I was very, very low in Vitamin D3, and having since taken what the doctor is telling me to take, 4000 IU per day, my PVC’s are less of a problem, and my hair is not falling out anymore, nor are my naels brittle anymore. I’m still taking magnesium too, and still believe it helps, and the D3 and Magnesium work in concert. Keep posting your findings please. It is so helpful to us.

    2013/08/22 at 12:56 am

  • From Candace Howze Ball on The INNER circle

    I get light headed and dizzy just seconds before my heart starts going nuts. I’ve had episodes that last a few seconds to ones that last up to 25 minutes. Stress is a major trigger for me. After an episode (regardless of how long it lasts) I feel totally exhausted and usually have a slight headache. I have had an ablation but it did not work. I cannot take the medicine prescribed for SVT because my blood pressure tends on the low side anyway, the medicine caused it to drop too low.

    2013/08/17 at 10:11 pm

    • From Tracy on The INNER circle

      This is exactly me too. Unable to take the meds. Light headed and dizzy, feeling faint. I get the dreaded thumps before too. Sometimes I get hot. I have found some triggers and can no longer touch anything caffeinated, no chocolate, no alcohol, no msg, and aspartame and sucrolose are immediate triggers. I also notice getting it for the few days prior to my menstrual cycle so possibly hormones but I can’t do much about that. I am in perimenopause and have just recently had bioidentical testosterone pellets inserted and I use progesterone cream part of the month. I still had them multiple times before period. I had hoped hormone therapy would have helped but doesn’t seem so. This is a horrible problem to have. I had to quit a nice high paying job that I have been doing for 9 years because of the unpredictability of these. I had to travel extensively with my job and got to the point where I was afraid to travel alone anymore. Very sad.

      2016/02/07 at 5:25 pm

      • From Brandi on The INNER circle

        Yours sound exactly like mine. I quit my job of ten years, and i also am
        Afraid to travel alone. 🙁

        2016/02/17 at 7:07 pm

      • From Laura Madrigano on The INNER circle

        Hello Candace, Im sorry to hear that you are suffering! Especially that you had to quit your job! I can try to help you figure out your SVT triggers….Did you ever do a stool sample to identify your food allergens? Are you consuming white flour? Have you ever been gluten free? Do you have kids?

        2016/02/07 at 6:22 pm

        • From needlestoneart on The INNER circle

          I have not done a stool sample, may look into that. I do know that I cannot do dairy unless it is cooked. I get eczema on my hands and face from dairy. When all of this started I was having terrible pains under both ribs. Doctors took forever to figure out that my gallbladder was no longer functioning. I am a healthy weight female who eats fairly healthy 85% of the time. Why that went out is beyond me. The GI doctor thought my gallbladder was spasming and that was what I was feeling in my chest. After having my gallbladder out I continued to have the flopping and pounding in my chest. That is when my event monitor picked up the 4000 extra beats daily that I was feeling at the time. I thought it was so weird to have 2 different health issues going on at the same time. I had just lost my father to an unexpected heart attack, a tall thin man who grew his own food and ate a lot of game. Doesn’t make sense to me why that happened to him. Anyway, doctors are recommending an ablation. I have not committed to that yet since I have found many triggers and avoiding them. I have not worn another monitor to check where I am now but I am sure I have significantly reduced the ectopic beats and svt. I do still eat gluten, I have been checked twice by GI for gluten sensitivity and that came back negative, although, I have noticed sometimes, not always, when I eat bready things it will happen. I have also noticed that when my stomach is bothering me it can trigger. I take a high quality probiotic morning and at dinnertime.

          2016/02/07 at 7:57 pm

  • From Lisa on My Story

    Thank you for sharing. I have SVTs and feel the same way!! Just wish I could stop the SVTs

    2013/08/14 at 3:25 pm

  • From Melina on My Story

    Hi Laura,

    What a great blog. Just wanted to add my story.

    I was formally diagnosed with SVT when I was 11 years old (I’m 24 now) after having lots of episodes in late primary school. Fortunately I have never needed to go to hospital (a few episodes stopped just before I went), and they usually stop when I hold my breath. My episodes usually only last a minute or so, but I have had episodes that are close to an hour in length. I can go months without episodes, and then have several per day. My biggest trigger is stress, which also gives me heart “jumps” (palpitations where it feels like my heart skips a beat).One thing I discovered recently is that my lifelong battle with eczema has been caused by gluten all along, and now that I am on a gluten-free diet I’m hoping I find some improvement regarding my SVT episodes.

    I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to first get SVT in my 20’s – fortunately as a kid I wasn’t too afraid and since gotten used to them. It’s just my “heart thing”. I’d imagine it being very scary to have it now, for the first time!

    Thanks for this blog, I hope I can find some answers here too.

    Melina

    2013/08/14 at 11:23 am

  • From Vivian Shawl on The INNER circle

    I get the thump thump thump and then I’m triggered into a svt run. Sometimes I just get a thump with nothing, and it makes me nervous -.-

    2013/08/14 at 2:41 am

  • From Michelle on My Story

    What an amazing blog! I have SVT, High Blood Pressure and Atrial Flutter, I’m 40yrs old and first got SVT when I was 15yrs old playing indoor cricket. My years with my heart issues have been all over the place, I have had 2 ablations and 4 cardio versions. The last ablation I had was 16 months ago and so far so good. After reading people’s story’s it made me think about what sets me off, eating a big meal definitely….and until recently I ate BIG! Stress is a HUGE factor for me and stress about everything and anything even for other people if I think they aren’t worried enough for themselves. Alcohol sets it off which makes me sad as I love to drink! Being over tired or over welhemed sets me off, being sad or very excited sets me off. I can not sleep on my left side it definitely sets me off and feels like my heart is being crushed. I have always been a bad sleeper and will often wake up with it. Heat sets me off. Over the years I have tried managing with rest, massage and always no matter how sick I am or what day of the year it is or where in the world I am I walk, walking is a great help. But recently I have started juicing and it has made a world of difference, before this I felt just needing to digest my food was making my heart work to much and tiring my body. Over the years I have lost a lot of weight about 50kg’s but still my heart got worse with age. But juicing has made the world of difference and reading about large meals affecting it now makes sense why I feel so good with the juicing. I live in Bali (shifted here for a lifestyle change to help my heart and less stress) and there is a guy here called Tyler Tolman and he runs online free juice fasts and is a world of health knowledge. I urge everyone try juicing see the benefits to your body. It all makes sense to me now why the juicing is working so well for my heart. Thank you for all the information, my goal is to come off all medications and I now know for sure juicing and raw food is going to do this, I will definitely reasses the gluten. I have eliminated this a lot lately which is obviously also helping I have never heard of this before. The are so many stories I have of how debilitating this condition can be on your everyday life and your family and friends lives and how on the outside to many people you look “normal” but on the inside you are just waiting for that heart attack to come. Please keep the information coming and I’m happy to give anymore information of my experiences if anyone is interested as I’ve had this condition for many years.

    2013/08/08 at 9:42 am

  • From Deb on ABOUT

    I meant she prescribed 4000 IU. Dropped a zero!

    2013/07/29 at 3:42 pm

  • From Deb on The COURSE

    I meant she prescribed 4000 IU. Dropped a zero!

    2013/07/29 at 3:42 pm

  • From Deb on ABOUT

    I had my physical last month, and the doctor said my Vitamin D was dangerously low. She prescribed Vitiamin D3 400 IU, and my hair has stopped falling out, my nails are not breaking anymore, and my PVC’s are nearly gone. Maybe this has been my trouble all along. At least, it’s the only thing identifiable by the medical community that is off. So glad to have someone to vent to and bounce things off of. Debbie

    2013/07/29 at 3:42 pm

  • From Deb on The COURSE

    I had my physical last month, and the doctor said my Vitamin D was dangerously low. She prescribed Vitiamin D3 400 IU, and my hair has stopped falling out, my nails are not breaking anymore, and my PVC’s are nearly gone. Maybe this has been my trouble all along. At least, it’s the only thing identifiable by the medical community that is off. So glad to have someone to vent to and bounce things off of. Debbie

    2013/07/29 at 3:42 pm

  • From bellanest.blogspot.fr on

    I believe that is one of the so much important info for me.

    And i’m satisfied reading your article. But wanna remark on some basic issues, The web site style is great, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Excellent job, cheers

    2013/07/29 at 9:04 am

  • From Laura Ryder on ABOUT

    Thank you. I almost started my daughter on the Beta blocker. I need to research more. Good job. Thank you.

    2013/07/27 at 2:00 am

  • From Laura Ryder on The COURSE

    Thank you. I almost started my daughter on the Beta blocker. I need to research more. Good job. Thank you.

    2013/07/27 at 2:00 am
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