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 London Lawyer on My Story

    I have found reading about other people’s SVT quite interesting, so thought I would chip in with my own experience.

    I’m 38 years old, female and had my first significant episode of SVT last year. In total, I have had 5 *significant* episodes of SVT. Although, looking back, I now recognise that I’ve had very short SVT episodes throughout my life that I’ve dismissed as they have resolved themselves within a few minutes.

    Each of my 5 significant episodes have taken place at the gym when I have been coming to the end of a 45 minute, fairly intense cardio session. (I usually do 5 x 1.5 hour sessions with a 50:50 cardio:weights split per week.) On each occasion that I have had SVT, my heart had been working at about 160 – 170 beats per minute beforehand. (I have started to wear a heart rate monitor when I exercise, so I have a pretty clear idea about what is going on before and during my SVT.)

    When I had my first episode of SVT at the gym, I didn’t know what it was, so the staff called for an ambulance. The ECG showed an abnormal rhythm with my heart remaining at 220 for about 45 minutes before it resolved itself.

    The second episode, precisely 1 week later (interestingly – they usually occur on a Wednesday) was a little more dramatic. Same pattern, I was coming to the end of a 45 minute, moderately intense, cardio session. On this occasion, my heart went up to 250. I was struggling to breathe and my blood pressure had dropped so low, I was unable to stand. This time, the ambulance insisted on taking me to A&E. My heart remained at 250 for an hour – and again resolved itself at the 1 hour mark without any medication. I was kept overnight and monitored.

    A cardiologist confirmed that I had SVT. I was given the option between taking beta blockers or flecanaide ‘pill in pocket’ – to be taken when the need arises. I did not want the beta blockers. My resting heart rate is about 50 – 52. The idea of lowering it further struck me as unwise. I agreed to take the tablet as and when I need to. At the hospital, a nurse talked me though the vagal manoeuvre (holding my breath / bearing down).

    The next time I had an episode, 2 weeks later (yes, on a Wednesday!), I tried the vagal manoeuvre and it worked. My heart dropped from 250 to 90 in about 5 seconds. Subsequently, I have been able to control my SVT, but it has taken me about 20 minutes to get my heart under control with this vagal manoeuvre.

    My cardiologist has suggested ablation – which I intend to have in the next few months. He has described it as incredibly low risk procedure with a very high rate of success. Whilst I have been able to control these episodes, it can’t be healthy to have my heart racing along at 250 for about half an hour every other week.

    I would love to understand why my SVT arises when it does; always during cardio, and not even during the most intense cardio that I do. My cardiologist hasn’t the faintest idea. If anybody has any theories, I would be very interested to hear them.

    Many thanks.

    Yours with palpitations!

    LL

    2014/02/11 at 10:14 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Hello LL, Thanks so much for writing…I have heard many stories where SVT is prompted by Cardio exercise. First off, its great that you can stop it on your own. That alone will help you if and when one does occur. I think the ability to stop one takes a lot of anxiety out of the equation. I love your questions and almost would like for you to help answer them yourself! Why do you think your SVT happens when it does? On a Wednesday and during Cardio? I would dig deep into both. Are you more stressed on a Wednesday? Does your body remember something stressful that happened on a Wednesday a long time ago? Do you feel like once you get through Wednesday your week is almost over and you can be happy or relax…Write in your journal and see what your inner voice says…Secondly, just to point out the obvious, if your heart is having SVT during Cardio…I would say its trying to tell you its too much cardio. Pretty simple…but maybe not what you want to hear. Perhaps more gentle cardio or breaking it up into 20 minutes intervals, or walking outside…I would try to mix it up and listen for the hidden messages in between the lines. Remember your heart doenst have an actual voice…it cant just tell you in its own words what it needs and wants…you have to figure it out like a detective. So if it happens at the gym during cardio, those are your best clues. The other place to look if what you are eating on the days of your SVT? I would (as always) see if gluten or caffeine plays a role. In Chinese medicine they don’t believe in pushing the heart at all, they believe you shorten your life span by speeding up your heart. Cardio intentionally speeds up the heart and in your case its being driven several times per week every week. Sounds like you like to work out, but maybe you can slowly find another great workout you enjoy that is less harsh on your heart…maybe yoga or a good hike outside with some breaks. I don’t have the exact answers, but I do feel confident that each of us are totally unique and the answers lie within. Someone else may get SVT’s when they eat chocolate, completely different triggers for different people…Whatever the cause, your heart needs something its not getting…and usually its to do with some form of rest, self-care, joy, self-expression, and nutrition and being heard. Best of luck to you, I LOVE hearing your story and am here to try to support you anytime, All the best, stay in touch, Health and healing, Laura

      2014/02/11 at 2:54 pm

      • From London Lawyer on My Story

        Dear Laura,

        Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

        I understand exactly why you wonder if my body is trying to tell me something about cardio. But here’s what I find perplexing – every Sunday I have a *really* intensive exercise session with a personal trainer (cross-fit type cardio with heavy weights). My heart hovers around 180 for about 20 minutes of that session. If pushing myself hard when exercising is my trigger, I can’t understand why I don’t get SVT on Sundays. On Wednesdays, I usually go a little lighter on cardio as I normally have a pretty intense weight session immediately afterwards.

        One of the things that I was most concerned about when diagnosed, was that I would have to stop or scale back my exercise. I have been pretty overweight for most of my life. Two years ago, with a combination of healthy eating and exercise, I dropped about 45 lbs and am now fitter than I was a teenager. I was incredibly relieved when my cardiologist told me that he didn’t think I should alter my exercise routine. Ideally – I would like to maintain this routine (for reasons of pure vanity!) but, like you, I thought my body might have been trying to tell me something!

        In terms of food triggers – initially it was assumed caffeine was to blame as I had a few cups of coffee before heading off to the gym. Subsequent SVTs have all been when I have been caffeine free though.

        I doubt it’s gluten as I don’t consume very much by way of gluten at the best of times. I have never liked chocolate (despite having had a very sweet tooth) as it tended to make me feel quite odd. It doesn’t push me into SVT, but my heart feels a little jumpy. Caffeine sometimes does the same; as a student I recall trying to study all night with caffeine pills – which made me feel so terrible, I never tried that again.

        Here’s one detail about my SVT that I thought was very interesting. When I downloaded the data from my heart rate monitor following my episodes of SVT, I noticed that my heart rate would be at approximately 160, when on each occasion it would drop to approximately 90 (which is odd as I was still exercising) before soaring to about 250, where it would get stuck. When I mentioned that to my cardiologist – he thought that the heart rate monitor was inaccurate – but this has now been the pattern on each of the 3 occasions that I have had SVT when wearing the monitor.

        Finally – I treat my SVT as an inconvenience rather than a serious health issue. But, a number of people posting comments here suggest that a heart rate above 200 for more than a few minutes is unhealthy / dangerous and that medical attention should be sought. So far as you are aware, is that right?

        My apologies for the length of my response. I have all these questions and comments because you are the first person with SVT that I have ever communicated with.

        My thanks once again.

        Regards,

        LL

        2014/02/11 at 3:58 pm

  • From Rachel on Nourishing Recipe-Gluten Free Paleo Cookies

    I have found this really helpful. I started a diet about 4 weeks ago now whereby I cut out alot of carbohydrates, I found that this helped my SVT. I have now reintroduced carbohydrates and finding that I have flutters not actual attacks on a daily basis. Its so good to hear that something can actually be done.

    2014/02/11 at 8:52 am

  • From katie on The INNER circle

    I haven’t yet to have been diagnosed with svt but my doctor is sure of it. I have been having these attacks for around 4 months now. at first my heart started pounding, like it would come out of my chest and I had a strange sensation in my chest. then I gradually started getting pains along with a fast heart rate. I had an ecg which monitored my fast heart rate of going over 200 throughout the day, even in my sleep. however doctors sent me home because although my heart rate was fast, it wasn’t irregular or something. I also had an ultra sound and everything was ok with my heart and again I was told to ignore it as best I can as it would be no harm. as I am doing pe for my gcse, sport is very important for me, and exercise seems to trigger these attacks aswell. over time these attacks would still happen, however I feel are getting worse. I feel very tired, and feel thumping in my chest. at first I feel as though my heart is doing a flip and then the racing starts. I get very shaky and tend to get shooting pains, or pressure on my chest. sometimes I go really hot or I get cold and start shivering. I also go dizzy. I am usually very calm, in my opinion I could react a lot worse to this, however as they are getting worse and more frequent I feel a surge of anxiety come over me and start to panic. when I mention this to my doctors, they suddenly blame this on anxiety or a panic attack, however I feel this way only due to my heart doing this. I am currently waiting to see a consultant which will hopefully determine why this is happening. i have found it frustrating being sent home from hospitals when i know something is wrong. i also sometimes get shooting pains or strange sensations without the racing, does this happen to anyone else? thankyou, comments are much appreciated x

    2014/02/09 at 8:06 pm

  • From Annette Greene on Success Story

    I found it interesting to read the above post and appreciate the insight from this blog. After more than 10 years of dealing with SVT (including a failed ablation and meds) I have found that a gluten-free, dairy-free diet is helping me stay healthier overall and has also curtailed symptoms of an autoimmune disorder I also suffer from. I have not had an episode of SVT in 4 months and, and besides my dietary changes, I attribute it to making a real effort to get enough sleep and rest each day. In the past, I thought I could function on 4-5 hours sleep and now I know that I was stressing/tiring out my heart and this was another trigger for SVT. It may sound simple but I wish I had made these changes sooner so I wanted to share this with others who may be in the same situation.

    2014/02/09 at 1:14 pm

  • From Magenta Pixie on Talk to Laura

    Hello Laura, thankyou so much for your reply. Your advice on really listening to your body and to your heart really is the best advice you can give and I am doing this now every day. I am not working since I came out of hospital so if my heart is saying rest, then I rest. A couple of times my heart has been ” agitated” and ” restless” and in those jumps or ectopic beats. This is usually linked to food and I am keeping a food journal. My heart did not like the tinned soup I had a few days ago And it reacted straight away so I will not eat tinned soup again. My heart does not like it when I rush my meals or eat too much. I am taking a very low dose of beta blocker now, only 2.5 mg and feeling much better. I am taking very low doses of motherwort, bugleweed and rhodiola under the guidance of a medical herbalist and my doctor. Sipping this herbal remedy ( 5 drops in water at the moment) does calm my heart when it is restless. The dream suggestion is a great idea and I will do this. I agree with you that this is an absorption issue. I did read that if you are low in vitamin D3 then it can prevent you from absorbing minerals from plant based sources. I now eat goat dairy, orgsnic eggs and wild salmon and am going to take D3 probably in spray form. I do not know what else could have contributed to a malabsorption issue. I ate macrobiotic a few years ago and followed the budwig protocol for a severe cervical pre-cancer. The doctors said I would develop full blown cervical cancer within a year if I did not have a hysterectomy. I refused to hysterectomy and treated it with macrobiotic diet, budwig protocol and several other supplements, herbs etc and got the all clear after 2 years. I did not appear to have any absorption issues back then and I cannot think of anything other than low D3. I had a bio resonance test and GDV testing just before Christmas which showed I was low in D3. Your advice if slowing down is also just what I need to do and I am doing that. The biggest challenge is going out. The further I go away from home I think ” what if I get an SVT” and my anxiety increases. Having read the posts on your site I know this is really common. I am going to start gentle yoga soon which will hopefully help with the anxiety. Thankyou again Laura for this website and for all your help and support not just to me but to all the posters here. So good that you have not had an SVT for so long and have done it all naturally. Lots of love, Magenta xxx

    2014/02/08 at 2:34 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on Talk to Laura

      Hi Magenta, Im so glad that you are feeling better and to hear from you again…It seems like you are taking positive steps in all areas of your health and that is what healing is all about, not just your heart but in your food choices, your other health issues, your self-care…Amazing advancements! Keep it up! D3 is very important and I am glad to hear that you are taking that. The B’s are also extremely important and I would like to see you add those as well. They can be especially useful for the whole pre-cervical cancer issue. (which I also had many years ago). That is usually from the HPV virus (which is sexually transimitted)…So while cervical cancer is not always caused by HPV, just remember to always use a condom…no matter what…until you are in a loving monogamous relationship. That alone will protect you against developing it again (as long as your partner doenst have it…if they do, you can contract it again even if you are monogamous with each other.). Always having protected sex is just another way to lovingly take care of your precious health. I love that you clearly realized that a canned soup didn’t agree with you….The fact that you even went for one, shows that you are tired…too tired to make yourself something…which juts shows that you need lots and lots of rest! Keep resting and when you feel up to it, maybe every sunday or so, try to make a big batch of fresh soup, with garlic, onions, veggies and baens…and then refridgerate some and FREEZE one or 2 tupperwares of it, so you can choose that to eat on days when you are just too tired to cook!. Also a quick smoothie is always a yummy choice…not much cooking involved…just a banana, some greens, or berries, some rice milk, honey, whatever you have on hand! Blend it and take a nap!!!! As you slowly feel better you will feel more able to travel further from home…and until then, try to ask a friend or something to go with you. Its OK to nurture yourself in whatever way you NEED to feel safe. Also, look up EFT, tapping videos for anxiety. Its an excellent method to let go of anxious emotions and heal emotional stuff that also contributes to the heart! Write anytime, I love to hear from you, all the best, lots of love and healing xoxoxo Laura

      2014/02/08 at 3:36 pm

  • From Magenta Pixie on Talk to Laura

    Hello lovely Laura! I adore your site and have been reading the posts regularly over and over since I was discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve 2013. Diagnosed with SVT after being taken to accident and emergency on 28th December 2013. Heart rate up at 200bpm and was in and out of SVT’s from 6.30pm to just after midnight. Had 3 shots of adenosine which worked initially but then the SVT’s started up again. Eventually they slowed down and stopped and I was taken up to cardiac ward. Doctor said my blood tests showed low magnesium and potassium and very low phosphorus ( low enough to be diagnosed with hypophosphatemia) so I was put on IV drips for phosphate and magnesium and given potassium by mouth the next day. They also gave me a beta blocker. Having not taken any orthodox medication for 7 years I was reluctant to take it but they assured me I needed it, I thought it was a one off but I was given another one the next day, biosoprolol 5 mg I was very upset at having to take a second tablet, but felt so vulnerable after the night of SVT’s during which I thought I was going to die. I did not think to refuse the medication and neither did I realise I was being put on it regularly until I got the prescription made up for me at discharge. I had been wheat free for some time but after reading your blog I went totally gluten free one month ago. I had been vegan for 18 months but having read that vegans can be low in D3 and if that us the case they can have mineral absorption problems I introduced organic eggs and goat dairy back into my diet. I am currently contemplating eating fish but gave not done so yet. I eat no refined sugar, chocolate, caffeine, cow dairy, gluten or alcohol. I had eaten rye toast the day before the SVT’s and gad felt ” off ” all day. I was working hard, pushing myself, not exercising enough etc and after reading your articles I feel I could well have adrenal fatigue. I had an echo cardio gram yesterday and all was normal no sign of structural heart disease. I have had no SVT’s for a month and after really terrible side effects I have finally managed to convince the doctor to let me reduce the beta blocker by half so now I am on the very low dose of 2.5mg per day. My aim us to get off the medication ASAP. I am seeing a herbalist who feels I can now start to take herbs at a low dose as I am on such a low dose of beta blocker and he has made me up a remedy containing motherwort, rhodiola, liquorice root, gotu kola and bugle weed. I am due to start taking these herbs tomorrow as a compound tincture although a bit worried combining beta blocker and herbs. My herbalist assures me the dosages are safe and the aim is to support the heart from going into SVT just like the beta blocker did and to slowly decrease beta blocker, increase herbs so eventually I am off the beta blocker. He had also suggested magnesium taurine and D3 and possibly a good quality multivitamin and mineral. I am eating goats yogurt for probiotics but after reading your site am also going to get probiotics, don’t want to overload my system with too much in one go, I am very sensitive to everything I eat and drink. The 5 mg of biosoprolol was like a sledge hammer on my system, so glad I am on half dose now. Been very anxious and scared to go anywhere, reading your blog has instilled positive feelings and faith in me whenever I feel scared. It had been such a challenging journey and my heart goes out to everyone affected by SVT. Thankyou so much for this blog, bless you.
    Magenta xx

    2014/02/01 at 10:03 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on Talk to Laura

      Dear Magenta, Thank you so much for your post and story…There are so many aspects of your story that I would love to address…but the first one, and most important, is for you to really listen to your body and tune into it like never before! Practice listening and try to even develop an active listening process. Maybe journaling would be good for you, or ask your self to dream about what foods would be the most beneficial for you and see if you get any messages. I too was vegan for a while and now I crave and eat meat. There are no guidelines that we all must follow in life. I know that being vegan sometimes sounds like the most ideal way to go, and for a while it can be, but without trying to follow any one “diet” I would encourage you to simply listen to yourself…eat what you crave…if you are in the mood for eggs…then so be it..if you want a piece of meat…the same. Just try to eat the best of whatever it is that you are eating…organic, hormone free, grass fed…and small amounts, chew well etc. Its sounds like you are not absorbing your nutrients and your gut needs healing. Did you have any food issues in the past that could have contributed to that? I think for me, gluten was in the way of me absorbing my nutrients. The other thing is to slow down…don’t push yourself too hard and rest when your body and mind need it. I know its hard to do, but its another way to build back up your adrenals. Start to make even more room in your life to listen to your unique needs and desires and that is what will lead you on the path to health. Im so happy you wrote, please stay in touch! xoxoxo Love and Healing, Laura

      2014/02/01 at 10:21 pm

  • From Christina on The INNER circle

    Hello! Glad to know that there are others out there like myself suffering with SVT. Had my first attack Nov. 2012. Went to ER, thought I was having a heart attack or aneurism of some kind. Doctors chalked it off as panic attack. Had a second attack 3 mos. later. This time doctors were not able to slow down my heart, kept me overnite for observation. Was sent home with diagnosis of SVT. Couldn’t function for the whole week after that, had more bad attacks and irregular heart beats, flutters and skips all day long. Couldn’t take care of my kids, feared having more attacks while driving with them in the car. Doctors put me on Diltiazem (channel blocker) one a day. Had many different horrible side effects, that now a year later have subsided. However, still have some small quick attacks once in a while. In the beginning I too felt like it was a cyclic event, happening around my period. Took tests for early menopause and thyroid conditions. Wanted something to explain why this had come out of no where and why it would not leave. They say I can have an ablation, but like many of you, I am very scared to end up worse off then I am. Also, scared to be on meds for ever. I am 44 years old and I live a gluten free lifestyle. Have been gluten-free for 5 years, due to an intolerance. So started this diet before the SVT. More recently, stopped drinking caffiene, drink less alcohol and eat way less sugar and chocolate. My life is pretty boring now. LOL. I’m trying to exercise more and eat better, although it doesn’t always seem to help. SVT is pretty random rearing it’s ugly head when we least expect it.
    Unlike most of you, I had open heart surgery 11 years ago to close an atrial septal defect (a whole in my heart present since birth) that was only found out after giving birth to my first child. It was the size of a quarter. After the surgery I was feeling the best I ever felt, even better than when I was a kid (makes sense since I had the condition back then too). So, sometimes I wonder if my SVT could be due to some scar tissue from my surgery. Anyone else had other heart issues before there SVT??

    2014/01/23 at 6:55 am

  • From Alison Downey on ABOUT

    Hello Laura,
    I am an acupuncturist who is working with a client experiencing SVT. The efficacy of Chinese Medicine is largely due to treating each unique patient individually, so there is rarely a catch-all answer to any medical issue. However, I am curious what Chinese Medicine strategies your acupuncturist has employed. Herbal medicine as well? I would be grateful for any info you or s/he would be willing to pass along.
    Thank you, and big kudos for your efforts to share in educating others about holistic medicine.
    Alison

    2014/01/22 at 7:17 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on ABOUT

      Hi Alison. Sorry that it took me a while to write back…Im 9 months pregnant and Im a little slower these days!!! Yes My acupuncturist did give me herbal medicine as well (except for currently during my pregnancy). I can’t tell you the formula, because I don’t really know it, and he also changed it frequently depending on my symptoms and progress…I do know that there was dragon root?? and at one point even antelope bone. Usually we were working on bringing things “down” and trying cool my excess heat. I was treated for heart yin deficiency, and excess heat among other things (and even eventually old lyme disease from when I was 12 years old!). I love acupuncture and believe it helped with my overall healing in general and not just my SVT. I went steady for over 2 years every week and felt years of unresolved emotions move around and come up and out. I don’t talk about that part of my experience that much, but I healed many many old emotional traumas and sadness from my past during the last few years of my life while going to acupuncture and really do think it had something to do with all the energetic movement that was deeply stored in my body. Sometimes during a treatment I would think of something that I hadn’t thought of in years…and I knew it was moving around to heal. I honestly don’t know if others have that experience. I saw my greatest results with my SVT when I changed my diet and eliminated gluten and I firmly believe that food allergies and overall eating habits contribute to SVT. But again, for me, healing is always a combination of the many many things I did overall. I have some other areas of Chinese medicine that don’t specifically work for me…like “white rice”…it simply constipates me and I can only eat brown. I understand that in chinese view it easier to digest and hence “better” but again it juts doenst agree with me. I always strongly suggest every person just follow their own instinct for healing and that its not necessary to adapt every aspect of a healing theory, only the ones that work for the individual. There is no one method that is right for everyone but always gentle combinations of everything. My acupuncturist also taught me to press down in the centers of my feet and palms to help bring my energy down if I was starting to feel things moving up toward my heart, that always helps. Occasionally my practitioner would do “letting” on me which also seemed to help. I relate heat to anger and believe that old anger also causes and contributes to SVT so while working on the physical, I believe it working on the emotional as well and trying to face our anger and let it exist and heal. My acupuncturist is Ross Rosen in Westfield NJ if you want to check out his site its http://www.acupunctureandherbalmedicine.com/ He used traditional Chinese pulse diagnosis and is excellent and reading pulses for the initial visit for an overall assessment and then before each treatment he reads it to see how to treat for the day. Best of luck to you and blessings for the healing work you are doing! Im sure you are helping a lot of people on their healing journeys, All the best, Laura

      2014/02/08 at 3:59 pm

  • From Alison Downey on The COURSE

    Hello Laura,
    I am an acupuncturist who is working with a client experiencing SVT. The efficacy of Chinese Medicine is largely due to treating each unique patient individually, so there is rarely a catch-all answer to any medical issue. However, I am curious what Chinese Medicine strategies your acupuncturist has employed. Herbal medicine as well? I would be grateful for any info you or s/he would be willing to pass along.
    Thank you, and big kudos for your efforts to share in educating others about holistic medicine.
    Alison

    2014/01/22 at 7:17 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on The COURSE

      Hi Alison. Sorry that it took me a while to write back…Im 9 months pregnant and Im a little slower these days!!! Yes My acupuncturist did give me herbal medicine as well (except for currently during my pregnancy). I can’t tell you the formula, because I don’t really know it, and he also changed it frequently depending on my symptoms and progress…I do know that there was dragon root?? and at one point even antelope bone. Usually we were working on bringing things “down” and trying cool my excess heat. I was treated for heart yin deficiency, and excess heat among other things (and even eventually old lyme disease from when I was 12 years old!). I love acupuncture and believe it helped with my overall healing in general and not just my SVT. I went steady for over 2 years every week and felt years of unresolved emotions move around and come up and out. I don’t talk about that part of my experience that much, but I healed many many old emotional traumas and sadness from my past during the last few years of my life while going to acupuncture and really do think it had something to do with all the energetic movement that was deeply stored in my body. Sometimes during a treatment I would think of something that I hadn’t thought of in years…and I knew it was moving around to heal. I honestly don’t know if others have that experience. I saw my greatest results with my SVT when I changed my diet and eliminated gluten and I firmly believe that food allergies and overall eating habits contribute to SVT. But again, for me, healing is always a combination of the many many things I did overall. I have some other areas of Chinese medicine that don’t specifically work for me…like “white rice”…it simply constipates me and I can only eat brown. I understand that in chinese view it easier to digest and hence “better” but again it juts doenst agree with me. I always strongly suggest every person just follow their own instinct for healing and that its not necessary to adapt every aspect of a healing theory, only the ones that work for the individual. There is no one method that is right for everyone but always gentle combinations of everything. My acupuncturist also taught me to press down in the centers of my feet and palms to help bring my energy down if I was starting to feel things moving up toward my heart, that always helps. Occasionally my practitioner would do “letting” on me which also seemed to help. I relate heat to anger and believe that old anger also causes and contributes to SVT so while working on the physical, I believe it working on the emotional as well and trying to face our anger and let it exist and heal. My acupuncturist is Ross Rosen in Westfield NJ if you want to check out his site its http://www.acupunctureandherbalmedicine.com/ He used traditional Chinese pulse diagnosis and is excellent and reading pulses for the initial visit for an overall assessment and then before each treatment he reads it to see how to treat for the day. Best of luck to you and blessings for the healing work you are doing! Im sure you are helping a lot of people on their healing journeys, All the best, Laura

      2014/02/08 at 3:59 pm

  • From Chelsea D on The INNER circle

    I’m so happy to have found you! I was just recently diagnosed with SVT. My exact type has yet to be diagnosed (waiting to see a specialist). The past 5 months have been hell and I’ve been basically afraid to live my life for fear of having an episode while driving or in a public place alone. I’m excited to see what natural ideas you have to help as I’m not keen on starting heart medication at 29 years old for the rest of my life. OR having to go for an ablation(sp?) (with a 2 yr old and a husband at home.).

    2014/01/22 at 3:46 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on The INNER circle

      Hello! Well Im happy you found us too! There are sooo many things you can do to support your SVT…Feel free to comment with any special questions regarding your personal situation, but browse through all the posts and start reviewing the type of food, water intake, rest, bowel movements, etc…My SVT acts up only if I eat Gluten, don’t have a bowel movement regularly, am super depleted etc…Try to start nourishing yourself in every way you can and see if that helps…I would start with eliminating gluten…and increasing your greens, and water…Let me know!

      2014/01/22 at 7:52 pm

  • From sherin inniss on ABOUT

    I love this
    I have been having heart palpitation for 30 yrs. My Dr says its svt. Now they come more often 120 °180 beats last for up to 24 hrs
    I neen help

    2014/01/15 at 8:55 pm

  • From sherin inniss on The COURSE

    I love this
    I have been having heart palpitation for 30 yrs. My Dr says its svt. Now they come more often 120 °180 beats last for up to 24 hrs
    I neen help

    2014/01/15 at 8:55 pm

  • From Jenay Baker on My Story

    I wanted to give an update. A little history; I am 32, a mother of a 7 yr old, workaholic, foodie. Out of no where I started having SVT attacks that started at 5 minutes and lasted longer and longer each time with my longest being around 3 hours. I had one, a month later had another two weeks later another, a week later another then 2-3 a week. Within 4 months I was having them left and right, scared out of my mind to leave the house in case I had another until I found this blog. I read about the health aspect and the gluten, caffeine, sugar, rest etc and decided to give it a try. (keep in mind I saw the best cardiologist in Atlanta and didn’t want to get the surgery or take the horrible meds and when I mentioned this approach to the Dr. he thought I lost my mind.) I immediately tested my allergies on enterolab.com, cut out gluten, sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Two weeks passed and no SVT although I still felt like I was going to have one any second. Then I accidentally ate gluten in a curry seasoning and the next day had an svt. I noted in my food journal everything I ate and was fine after that until I had leftovers a week later of the curry veggies and had another svt the next day. I soon realized wheat flour was the second ingredient in the curry. From that point on I became VERY knowledgeable about hidden gluten and made my family gluten free as well to make things easier when shopping and cooking. I was feeling good, no svt, but still had flutters every now and again for the next month which would freak me out!! Within another month I added a morning green smoothie into my diet, eliminated my food allergies discovered from enterolab, started taking probiotics and overall allowed less stress into my life and slowed by “go go go” mentality. If I am running 10 errands and am tired after 5 I stop now when before I would do all 10 then come home and not sit down until 1am doing more things around the house.

    I am happy to say that I am almost 5 months SVT free! AND I feel GREAT!! It takes a good 12 months to get gluten out of your system and I believe that as I feel better each month that goes by, and now I can even cheat a teeny bit with a little sugar or caffeine, but never gluten. I am even turning into quite the gluten, sugar and allergy free baker and have made some wonderful cookies, breads and muffins and lost 15 lbs which puts me at my weight when I was 18! I have been to several dr.s in the past 5 months with each one saying there is no way I am controlling SVT this way, but I 100% know that I am. I now go to a holistic Dr. that has recently added to my regiment and like I said I have never felt better. I sleep better, I am happier, I let go of old anger, slowed down, don’t let things get to me, don’t allow myself to hold grudges, eat right, take yoga and pilates, still indulge in my homemade sweets, so I don’t feel cheated AND AND AND am not afraid to leave my house!!!! The fear has subsided! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! YOU have changed my life and if it wasn’t for this blog and these ideas I would be under the knife right now getting this horrible ablation that is not a cure, but a band-aid covering up the real problem. Anyone that is having this problem should truly dedicate 3 months of their life to trying these things before considering drastic measures.

    Jenay

    2014/01/14 at 8:20 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Dear Jenay, Im literally in tears as I read your post. First of all thank you for taking the time to share your journey. I am utterly thrilled that this blog has helped you, and the whole premise of it, is technically not medically based…rather based on MY OWN personal experience and journey. I am sooo happy that some of the things I discovered that actually helped me, are helping you too!!! I KNOW that there are things we can do to support and hopefully eliminate our SVT and you are a shining example…Like my start student! A++++++…I feel like I just got encouragement from the universe for us all to keep digging for answers and NOT LET old school thinking and mainstream outdated medicine dictate our health! I WISH there were more Doctors willing to look at the big picture….WHY is this SVT happening instead of just offering those band aid “cures” and actually be OPEN to a combination of solutions! Blessing to you for not only taking the leap and for finding JOY in it, and discovering your cooking talent and enjoyment through it all! The universe needs MORE people like you and I am so glad to have been a part of your journey. PLEASE PLEASE keep us all updated on your journey…what works, what doesn’t…Best of all, you are empowered knowing that you are doing EVERYTHING within your control to drastically reduce your SVT’s. I would LOVE LOVE to post your comment as a blog post. If that would be ok with you please just comment with your permission and basically I will just post your comment as an actual POST. I think its important to spread your message and recovery to help inspire others….Love and healing xoxoxoxox Laura

      2014/01/14 at 9:36 pm

      • From Jenay on My Story

        I am forever grateful for your blog, it has changed my life and of course you can post my experience in anyway you choose. For a month now I added in treatment from a naturopath where she has been working on leaky guy and yeast overgrowth from too much antibiotics in my life amongst other supportive factors, and I have hit a new milestone. I exposed myself to every culprit (except gluten) that used to cause an svt. coffee, sugar, allergies, exercising, and no svt with any of them! This doesn’t mean that I will include any of those back in my diet on a daily or weekly basis, not even monthly probably, but it is nice to know that I have moved up on the wellness scale enough to tolerate things that I once could not even tolerate in small amounts and once again have the choice. If I feel like a cup of coffee I can have one! lucky for me, i have been green long enough that I actually crave a smoothie in the mornings instead, but it is still nice to have options! I also found out I indeed have two genes predisposing me for gluten sensitivities and so does my son, so we are both gluten free for life.

        There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you can improve, you can have that sweet dessert or cup of coffee again, life is not completely restrictive forever, so please anyone reading this, if you want to improve, I know it is tough to give everything up, but if you do it makes a life changing difference and one day you can have these things again in moderation possibly! Thank you Laura, you are a lifesaver and I have this huge pull from the universe to spread awareness to others because this knowledge changed my life. i believe everybody goes through things for a reason and I feel blessed to have gone through what I did, so now I can help others, help raise awareness about gluten, svt and even GMO’s and our food in general. Thank you Thank you Thank you 😉

        2014/02/07 at 3:21 am

  • From ronah1103 on The INNER circle

    Hi,
    I would like to know if alternative cure for SVT can be applicable to my daughter who is only 7 years old. She was diagnosed with SVT 2 years ago. Although while she was still in my womb, she already had tachycardia. Then when she was born, she was diagnosed to have arrythmia then 2 years ago, as per holter monitoring it was confirmed she has SVT. Her heart rate jumps up to 240-250 and her slowest heart rate goes really slow like 40-60 (I was thinking maybe this was to compensate the rapid heartbeat, like the heart is resting). When I observe her, she doesn’t get tired easily,she’s like a normal child who just likes to play a lot and she runs really fast. So symptom-wise, SVT is not evident,
    She just had her 2D echo done last Saturday and her pedia cardio concluded that her heart is slightly big for her weight (22kilos). So the doctor would like to prescribe beta blocker. Although during the procedure for 2D echo, her heart was beating quite normally, 70-80 beats per minute. She just wants to make sure she has no asthma as this may be triggered by beta-blocker.
    I am quite hesitant to have her take medicine as she is so young. So I searched and found this website. I am not sure though if this would apply to her as her SVT seems to have been with her since she was born.
    Your advice will be greatly appreciated.
    Regards,
    Ronah

    2014/01/13 at 11:58 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on The INNER circle

      Hi Ronah, Thanks so much for your email. I wish your daughter all the best! I honestly dont have any specific advice for you as I am not a doctor and I really dont know what would cause your daughter to suffer from SVT’s in the womb (or how that was even diagnosed, first I’ve heard of it actually!!!)….I dont know anything about enlarged hearts or how perscription drugs might be an answer for that condition or why her heart is not only going in to SVT but also beating too low at other times. I do know that POTS can be helped by the same things that I believe help SVT which is eliminating our food allergens. What I would say, and what I believe would be helpful no matter what anyone’s health condition, is to look at some of the basics that I list on my site. My personal, non medically trained opinion, is that every health condition has links to food allergies and poor nutrition and diet, inflamation in the digestive tract, and lack of absorbing nutrients and minerals. So much of our food is genetically modified, especially wheat and corn which is in everything we eat. I think that no matter what someone health issue is, they should start by looking at how their digestive tract is reacting to their foods…and this begins with a stool sample. Enterolab is where I point everyone who wants to see what their stool has to say. I am pregnant right now, and we know that all our food intake is passed on to our children…So on a total whim, I wonder if you are/were eating gluten and if the allergy could start with you….If you also carry a gene in addition to reacting in the gut, you would have passed that gene on to her as well.

      No matter what decision you make regarding treatment for your daughter, I can promise you that by figuring out her gut, and feeding her super high quality organic foods and eliminating gluten, sugar and whatever else she may be allergic to will help her live a more vibrant life…I would start by looking at her diet….and for a 7 year old (as I have a 6 year old) it usually means looking at and studying your own diet and lifestyle habits first! I would honestly look at her stool, their color, consistency, shape and start my detective work there! Best of luck, please let me know if I can help you as you continue on your path to trying to find the best course of treatment for your daughter! If you need help understanding her stool, please write me again with descriptions of the frequency, if its loose, etc…Healing wishes, Laura

      2014/01/14 at 12:25 am

  • From Karyn on The INNER circle

    Hey everyone,
    So glad to find this website..I have been dealing with “episodes” as you all have been describing for a while now..wake up at night,with a jolt,usually from a very vivid dream..sometimes I feel like I am cold and “trembly” with heart racing…had a sleep study because it is effecting my sleep but,of course, it didn’t happen that night! Will try to track food..having one now while I write this…did you all suffer from panic attacks when you were younger?

    2014/01/08 at 8:13 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on The INNER circle

      Yes I had panic attacks for years prior to my SVT!

      2014/02/08 at 4:00 pm

      • From paul on The INNER circle

        How can you tell the difference between panic attacks and svt.. I wake up sometimes from sleeping and if eel this feeling of dred sort of.. or butteryflys.. not really heart palps or skipped beats, and I get this tension that takes me over and i start getting really hot and sweating, and than my heart starts taking off into some weird mode where its beating steady and fast.

        2014/11/14 at 1:10 am

        • From Laura Madrigano on The INNER circle

          Hi Paul, SVT and panic attacks can be confusing, and sometimes go hand in hand. An SVT can bring on a panic attack. The main difference between the two is that you should be able to slow down your heart during a panic attack by focusing on breathing. During an SVT, usually you have to “BREAK” the SVT by bearing down, coughing, adenosine shot, etc. Some people say they can eventually break their SVT by relaxing, laying down and focusing on slow breathing. I personally am going to try that the next time I get one. Either way, no matter what you have… things like, yoga, meditation, eating better, journaling, taking hot baths, long walks, etc. will help both issues. I have suffered from both issues throughout my life and know firsthand that the more you create a life you love that is healthy, the better you will feel. Please let me know if you made any changes and how they are working for you! All the best, Happy New Year, Laura

          2014/12/30 at 12:15 pm

  • From Kristine Hudson on Gluten Intolerance and the SVT-GUT Connection

    I’m wondering how long your SVT’s last? When I have mine, typically at night, they seem to last for approximately 30-75 seconds but I have had some that have lasted for 10 minutes and alot of adrenaline with that which exacerbates the SVT! If I can calm down they go away! Placing my hand on my abdomen, like you suggested, really helps to calm me and I can go back to sleep! I’m eating clean, drinking lots of water, drinking my green drink and for Christmas I received a Rest Sheild which is organite or scalar technology! I used it last night and my sleep was better than its been so I’m hopeful that with all of the other things I’m doing I will continue to improve. I have SVT every night and have had this since September but I feel like its getting better so I’m hopeful! Thank you for all of your help I really do appreciate your input! Have a beautiful day, Kristine

    2013/12/26 at 6:36 pm

  • From Kristine Hudson on Talk to Laura

    I’ve just been diagnosed with SVT last week! My questions are numerous and I have been feeling lost until I found your site!!! My cardiologist wanted me to take atenalol but it didn’t resonate with what I was trying to do for my heart and overall health and I had many more questions than simply taking a pill. So here I am imbarking on this newest chapter of my life and I’m trying to be brave but it feels a little scary and a lot out of control but I’m willing to do what it takes to heal my body naturally! I have a fantastic Chinese acupuncturist that I started seeing before I saw the cardiologist and I have cut gluten, dairy, caffeine , corn from my diet as I was stool and blood tested for food allergies 4 yrs ago by my ND. I was eating clean for 18 months and I am clean again after reading your suggestions! My SVT’s seem to be the worst at night when I’m sleeping and it’s leaving me exhausted after a night of poor quality sleep and adrenaline surges with panic! I’m doing a lot of positive self dialog and meditation and I’m now off work for a week and plan to nap,nap, nap any time I need to!!! I guess I’m wondering if you have any ideas as to what causes SVT to be worse at night and what would you suggest I try to get some good sleep? Thank you for starting this beautiful and helpful site you’re an earth angel for doing it!!! Thanks! sincerely, Kristine

    2013/12/24 at 4:28 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on Talk to Laura

      Hi Kristine! Thanks for writing! It sounds like you are on a great path! As I started to write you a long reply about how to get a good nights sleep etc… I decided to turn it into a blog post! I hope you sign up to receive my posts and feel free to write me anytime!!!! Make sure to read my post today, it is written for you!!! xoxo Laura

      2013/12/24 at 2:31 pm

      • From Kristine Hudson on Talk to Laura

        Thank you for the helpful info on sleep!!! I am deficient in yin energy and am working on that! I was sleeping propped up for 4 yrs and at the advice of my acupuncturist I stopped and started sleeping on my right side! That was about 2 weeks ago! I have had at least one super bad night sleeping that way so I will try propping again and sleep on my side ! Thank you again for the support! Kristine

        2013/12/24 at 6:44 pm

  • From Emily on My Story

    Hi, thanks for your blog. I’ve had SVT for a while now I’m 21.
    I’ve also had anxiety and panic attacks so I don’t know when I started having problems with SVT or if it was just anxiety. But I believe when I was 14 I started having issues because I couldn’t exercise without getting dizzy, out of breath, etc on regular normal stuff. (i was an athlete so it was bizzare).
    I figured it was my anxiety.
    So I worked on my anxiety, and pretty much overcame 90% of it.
    I had an attack when I was 18, without anxiety.
    found out that I had SVT from the hospital.

    I have been to the hospital two times because of an attack.
    The first one was scary, I had to go into the hospital myself, but the adenosine(sp?) worked the first time.

    The second one was the worst. They almost got out the paddles. They shot me with like, 5 different drugs that all didn’t work. It freaked the doctors out, I was pretty calm and the people in the room said that I was the calmest person they’ve seen with this problem. lol (probably because of all the training with the panic attacks I overcame haha) I asked them to pray for me, I believe they did eventually, I prayed super hard, and know/felt God’s loving care over me. I’m not afraid of death anymore. I think one of the drugs they put in me actually jumpstarted my heart, to go faster. 230bpm.
    When you’re heart is going that fast you feel:
    1. Extremely dizzy, disoriented, and feel like you’re going to die
    2. weight on your chest, and like all your veins are going to explode, super hot all over
    Even though it was a bad situation, I learned a whole lot from it. 🙂

    so I got an ablation. It was successful. I can run! I can do things that I want!!! I can go travel, and eat the foods I want. everything! 😀 I’m so thankful to God. I do have little flutters, but they don’t turn into full blown SVT attacks. 90% of ablations are successful. I was one of them! yay! The younger you are when you get it, the better it will be.

    There’s not a lot of information about SVT on the internet….it’s weird!
    I tried finding natural things/cures but there wasn’t really anything on the internet.

    my questions are:
    1. why would this affect me LATER in life if I always had an extra electrical pathway in my heart? (figured it would have effected me while I was younger)
    2. WHY does what you eat have anything to do with your electrical system? (because I’ve noticed that when I eat gluten, certain junk foods, etc, my heart is more likely to go off)
    3. Not sure why there’s so many people online that got ablations and it didn’t work? How can it not work? lol You cauterize the bad pathway so you should be fine after that. I think they have more than one pathway then. Either their doctor sucks at finding the pathway or it’s something else?
    4. Ablations shouldn’t be risky, they’re relatively safe unless for some reason you have a preexisting condition that may make the procedure unsafe. They get a little more risky the older that you get, but isn’t that with any type of surgery/procedure?

    I’m an athlete, an active person, and couldn’t stand having SVT any longer. I needed exercise to be able to control my mental problems (depression and anxiety just get worse the less active you are).
    The doctor I found has done 300 ablations or more and all have been successful and they were mostly old people too. He’s an excellent doctor.
    He moved to California though. His name is Dr. Molden, he’s the best doctor in the world and super nice/funny! He actually cared about ME not just my issue (if you get what I mean). I recommend him to everyone. He’s extremely careful, and did a great job. 🙂

    Just get an ablation, it’ll be awesome in the end, you’ll be able to do everything you wanted to again! My quality of like sucked before this, now it’s amazing! please find Dr. Molden and give him a call.

    At this point, the only things you can do is:
    1. get an ablation
    2. be on pills the rest of your life
    3. try natural things (for the rest of your life)
    4. go to the hospital (if you let your heart beat waaaay tooo fast for too long, you can have heart failure, so go to the hospital!)
    go to the hospital in 30 minutes if your SVT doesn’t slow down.
    Just adjust that time to how fast or slow it’s beating. So if you have 230 SVT you better get your butt to the hospital before 30 minutes, because that heartrate is dangerous to have for too long (I suggest 10 minutes if your hospital is 15 minutes away).
    5. live in fear constantly and not be able to do the things you used to.
    quality of life=sucky
    6. or die. You can have heart failure with SVT. I don’t hear of this happening often but it has happened. Don’t worry if you get to the hospital in time you’ll be fine (don’t wait longer than 30 minutes!!!!! My doctors thought I was crazy for waiting 30 minutes to get it slowed down, it was at 180-200) but if you don’t and your heart rate is high you can have a possibility of heart failure. Your heart is not designed to go too fast for long periods of time. My heart started to hurt a little bit, and I started to feel really gross, so that scared them too. I could’ve died from waiting too long (I wanted to try all of the things first like ice water, holding breath, etc)
    Do not go on for days with svt, some people online say they wait days to go to the doctor because their heart rate is high, but not super high like 110 or something. JUST GO TO THE HOSPITAL IT’S YOUR HEART FOR GOODNESS SAKE! lol

    I suggest an ablation. My doctor made extra sure I wouldn’t be on a pacemaker, cause I’m young and probably wouldn’t want to have that for the rest of my life lol.

    I love my life now! not living in fear!!!

    <3 you all! and hope you find the solution for you.

    2013/12/12 at 6:18 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Hi! Thank you for posting! I am so glad to hear that your quality of life is so much better now! As my grandfather used to say, “To each his own”. Whatever works for you is whats best for you. You raise some questions that I will do my best to answer…I will speak mostly to healing SVT naturally…Many people with anxiety and panic attacks also have SVT and sometimes its a what came first question. In my own case I suffered with panic attacks for years prior to my first SVT. I know the difference b/c my first SVT episode was a clear heart pounding difference that normal calming methods didn’t influence or improve. Things like slow breathing, meditation, drinking water, don’t actually break an SVT.. That’s how I knew the difference between a typical P.A and an SVT at on-set. Relaxing methods are beneficial to practice during an SVT episode to help you to remain calm while focusing on methods specific to breaking an SVT. Its good to practice calming methods to reduce anxiety on a daily preventative basis…(we all know the benefits of walking, journaling, breath work, meditation, exercise etc), its also important to practice other preventative methods that help reduce your risk of an SVT on a daily basis. (and theses are the ones we explore on this site)

      You bring up your own valid point and observation that “because I’ve noticed that when I eat gluten, certain junk foods, etc, my heart is more likely to go off” which is one main point I speak to all over this site. Junk food, Gluten, Sugar, Stress, Alcohol etc. all increase your risk of SVT. People are finally starting to draw these connections…You experienced this yourself and so do I and many others. So this site explores the question of WHY does this happen, What are the connections, Why don’t cardiologists speak to these connections, Can eliminating gluten or other allergens reduce or even eliminate SVT. We are just pondering these issues in a forum where no one else is addressing those questions. If you want some of my educated guesses as to why these things are connected just read through some past posts…

      I personally have drastic (positive) results by living a “healthier” than before lifestyle. Prior to my very first SVT I had ice coffee with probably 5 sugars in it, and cookies for breakfast. In hindsight, I can see how everything from sugar to gluten to anger etc were present prior to every one of my SVT’s. I was ingesting toxins and it played out in my body as an SVT. Every mainstream Doctor is starting to understand the correlations between food and disease…and Type 2 diabetes is the biggest, clearest example of this….SO, one point we explore here, is if diet effects one health issue, why wouldn’t it effect all the others…The food we eat has everything to do with the frequency of SVT. So do our stress levels, and emotions, and sleep patterns and water intake etc. SO, if SVT sufferers have an extra pathway in the heart that others “do not” or “Why” some people don’t get SVT until later in life…etc are all amazing questions that Electro psychologist dont have answers for. Im a girl that wants answers. I believe in digging DEEPER for the answers, its my body, I see the connections. I want to know. I don’t accept the mainstreams answers or lack thereof. I want to know WHY I get SVT’s?????? Even if its because I have an “extra pathway” then why am I not in SVT 24 hours a day? Why I can go ALL year without one and then ONE day BOOM? What tripped it off THAT particular day? Obviously something effected it!!!!!! Why do some people have it daily or weekly or monthly or yearly. There is no set pattern. Its random, individualistic, just like our food intake, beliefs, emotions, allergies, digestive tract etc. There is no ONE thing that we all can do, but there seem to be many things that effect us all….things like Gluten, sugar, alcohol etc.

      You include “trying natural things” for the rest of your life in the same catagory as “be on pills for the rest of your life”. Its interesting because I wonder if we don’t make those healthy changes to our lifestyles…whats next after SVT? If abalation “cures” or shall I say temporarily stops the most massive SVT episodes in maybe 80% of all cases…Why is your heart still mis-firing even after ablaltion? The answer is because you “fixed” the symptom that was disrupting your lifestyle most. You didn’t HEAL or CURE the reason these episodes are happening in the first place. That is the ANSWER I SEEK. Yes abalation sometimes cuts the pathway successfully, just like going on anti-depressives may stop you from feeling depressed. BUT THEY DIDNT address the reason you are suffering in the first place, nor does abalation. If the Dr. got rid of the pathway then why are people still having irregular beats? Why do people still misfire on some days and not others? I speak to the points of why we mis-fire, why is there dis-harmony there? Where in your body is your “dis-harmony” that still is playing out going to show up next? This exact point is the mind set of natural healing…SVT is someone’s achilles heal. Its your “extra pathway”. Someone else’s weak spot might be their eyes, or knee, or digestive tract where their dis harmony shows up. There is no crystal ball to show us all our next health issue. Things like drinking water, improving sleep, dealing with anger, avoiding foods you are allergic to etc. are not life sentences. They are natural normal things, that people who are loving themselves, and taking care of their precious bodies enjoy doing. Doing natural things to support your health will benefit your SVT, and many other issues at the same time.

      Heart surgery is heart surgery, some people no matter what age wind up with a pace maker. Some people wind up with having to have open heart surgery to correct abalation gone bad, there is risk with any surgery and all of us are weighing those risks vs. our quality of life, vs. doing what is within our control etc. So, I will end as I began, “to each their own”. Joy and love and peace and harmony all around….Do whatever works for you….Success lies at the end of many different paths…What I can say for sure, is that trying any of the approaches we talk about on this site will only benefit your overall health and not just SVT. My hope for everyone is that we all live as healthy as our awareness allows and keep asking the questions in life that we want answers to!

      2013/12/13 at 2:13 am

  • From Amanda Moore on My Story

    Wow. I was moved to tears reading this. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not the only one who feels like this. I had open heart surgery in 2003 to repair ASD (atrial septal defect). I was 23 at the time, and I had the surgery after having my third and last child. I wasn’t diagnosed with SVT until 2010, after having what my doctor thought was panic attacks for 6 mos. I kept thinking that it wasn’t just anxiety which I have always struggled with and that it was different. EVERY SINGLE EPISODE I felt like I was having a heart attack. I was scared to death, my heart felt like it was thumping out of my chest. My doctor sent me to a cardiologist to “ease my fears” about having a heart attack. I went to the appointment and left with a 15 day holter moniter. I cannot count how many times I pushed that button and called that thing in. I seen a heart rhythm specialist after the results were in and sure enough….she diagnosed me with SVT but said it was in the upper part of my heart and I also heard the “I’m not sure if I could find it with an ablation but we can try” “It’s hard to say but I think that that’s what it is”. I opted to try a beta blocker and currently take atenolol everyday. It’s done wonders. I no longer have “big” attacks. But, really…they all feel the same. I’m exhausted all of the time, I sweat, I’m hot (thought that I was the only one who had that), I feel twinges in my chest, missed beats still, wake up every so often with rapid heart rate, etc. I noticed over the years that when I have an episode I’m also gassy. Or my stomach hurts. Nearly every single time. I too believe that it’s directly related my my digestion/stomach and am so happy I found this site. I am going to work on changing my diet and see if that helps. Thank you so much for sharing your story! You’ve helped me a lot today!

    2013/12/04 at 6:51 pm

  • From Jen on My Story

    Hello!

    I was 12 when my svt started and I was having attacks once a year. All the tests came back normal. Started doing gluten and dairy free with little difference besides weight loss and attitude change.

    I am now 21 and just had the ablation therapy done in October and things are great! I am feeling way better and able to have caffeine, stay up late and excersise without worry. The hospital I went to had a 95% success rate with patients and everyone was soo kind and fun! It was scary just thinking about “surgery” but now life is so much easier! Plus recovery is 3-7 days. I was up and back to normal life in 5.

    If surgery is what you’re worried about, think about life after surgery. Living with fear and anxiety is no fun. Also getting it done earlier will help because of your age (healing and what not)

    Good luck to you all! Stay healthy.

    2013/12/03 at 6:50 am

  • From Shaz on My Story

    Hi. I am a medical resident specializing in cardiology. I started having SVT a month ago. They seem to happen when I am on duty at night and wake me from my sleep. I have never had an episode while awake. My cardiologist put me on a beta blocker which I took for two weeks but stopped hoping I was better and the attacks came back. I have always been lactose intolerant and after reading the blog will try to be on a gluten free diet.

    I miss being healthy as I use to cycle everyday now I can barely make it up the steps.
    I am scared of the ablation after hearing about the person who got a pulmonary embolism.

    Thank you for the blog it helps to know what you isn’t rare and you aren’t going crazy stressing while the doctor thinks it isn’t a big deal.

    2013/11/28 at 4:52 pm

  • From Andrew Cirel on ABOUT

    Hi Laura,

    Thanks for sharing your experiences, cures and recommendation.

    I just thought I’d let you know my experiences.

    My first episode of SVT started 6 years ago when I had a week of stress and got into energy drinks (I found I liked the taste). In the first 6 months after this week I was having issues every single day and for some strange reason it would often start in my sleep and I would wake up with my heart pounding, pins and needles in my arms and legs, and a pounding headache. I think when we switch from normal sleep into REM sleep there are hormonal changes that were probably triggering it. My doctor at the time thought I was having panic attacks…but I wasn’t…

    In general I have always eaten well, done lots of excercise and have never drunk much alcohol (a glasses or two a month). Personally, I’m convinced that the week of stress and caffine (energy drinks) overloaded some of the nerves in my heart and if it wasn’t for this, I would never had suffered SVT. Before that week I had never had any heart issues. After this week I was having issues every single day. I tried every natural remedy I could find, I was making smoothies every day, eating salads, avoiding caffine (including chocolate), doing relatation excercies, etc… Even though this reduced the SVT frequency, nothing would stop it happening on at least a monthly basis – the damage was done. Personally I’m convinced that the increase in heart speed and rhythm problems in the nation is linked to the increase in high caffine drinks. I tell my family and friends to treat caffine and alcohol in the same way – to have a sensible limit. If the damage done is to severe, like in my case, it cannot be undone.

    By 18 months ago I was going into A&E 3-5 times a week (I had my heart stopped twice in one day once by adenozine), so they put me on Beta Blockers (Bisoprolol). This gave me a couple of very unplesant side effect, the worst being very vivid nightmares. It also couldn’t handle the SVT. If I took enough to stop the SVT happening, it made me too breathless to do anything. If I had a lower dose, the SVT would happen anyway. In the end I had an Ablation operation a year ago. This made the SVT worse. 8 months ago I had a second ablation operation where the cardiologist did a much more extensive ablation. He overcooked some of my nerves and I then needed a pace maker. I’m still having heart issues, less SVT and more general heart speed issue, so I’m now trying some different Beta Blockers.

    I like a holistic approach to life and where SVT is concerned, it definately helps, and for those with mild SVT it may be like a cure. However if your SVT is triggered as easily as mine was a holistic approach will help, but not be a cure. For anyone reading this I say “significantly reduce your caffine intake to a maximum of 2 cups of tea a day, or 1 higher dose caffine drink” otherwise you may end up with permanent heart speed or rhythm problems like me…

    Just a few thought,
    Andrew.

    2013/11/24 at 2:17 am

    • From Dr. George Blagoue on ABOUT

      You state: ” …a holistic approach will help, but not be a cure.” NEWSFLASH!! Taking every natural remedy you can find and drinking smoothies daily is not a holistic approach. Did you consult a holistic practitioner to determine your body’s mineral levels? I’d bet not. Two ablations and a pacemaker prove your approach isn’t working. ( Though this comment may not see the light of day, someone needed to say it.) GB

      2015/07/07 at 12:32 pm

      • From Laura Madrigano on ABOUT

        Hi GB. Why the hostility? I go see holistic practioners all the time. I would love to have my minerals tested. Who had 2 ablations and a pacemaker? NOT ME!!!! I already know ablations dont work. Your preaching to the choir. If you think mineral testing is the way to go, I asked you to write a guest blog about it years ago without reply. Would love a helpful article about it. If interested in authoring one, email me at Lmadrigano@aol.com Thanks!

        2015/07/07 at 1:27 pm

  • From Andrew Cirel on The COURSE

    Hi Laura,

    Thanks for sharing your experiences, cures and recommendation.

    I just thought I’d let you know my experiences.

    My first episode of SVT started 6 years ago when I had a week of stress and got into energy drinks (I found I liked the taste). In the first 6 months after this week I was having issues every single day and for some strange reason it would often start in my sleep and I would wake up with my heart pounding, pins and needles in my arms and legs, and a pounding headache. I think when we switch from normal sleep into REM sleep there are hormonal changes that were probably triggering it. My doctor at the time thought I was having panic attacks…but I wasn’t…

    In general I have always eaten well, done lots of excercise and have never drunk much alcohol (a glasses or two a month). Personally, I’m convinced that the week of stress and caffine (energy drinks) overloaded some of the nerves in my heart and if it wasn’t for this, I would never had suffered SVT. Before that week I had never had any heart issues. After this week I was having issues every single day. I tried every natural remedy I could find, I was making smoothies every day, eating salads, avoiding caffine (including chocolate), doing relatation excercies, etc… Even though this reduced the SVT frequency, nothing would stop it happening on at least a monthly basis – the damage was done. Personally I’m convinced that the increase in heart speed and rhythm problems in the nation is linked to the increase in high caffine drinks. I tell my family and friends to treat caffine and alcohol in the same way – to have a sensible limit. If the damage done is to severe, like in my case, it cannot be undone.

    By 18 months ago I was going into A&E 3-5 times a week (I had my heart stopped twice in one day once by adenozine), so they put me on Beta Blockers (Bisoprolol). This gave me a couple of very unplesant side effect, the worst being very vivid nightmares. It also couldn’t handle the SVT. If I took enough to stop the SVT happening, it made me too breathless to do anything. If I had a lower dose, the SVT would happen anyway. In the end I had an Ablation operation a year ago. This made the SVT worse. 8 months ago I had a second ablation operation where the cardiologist did a much more extensive ablation. He overcooked some of my nerves and I then needed a pace maker. I’m still having heart issues, less SVT and more general heart speed issue, so I’m now trying some different Beta Blockers.

    I like a holistic approach to life and where SVT is concerned, it definately helps, and for those with mild SVT it may be like a cure. However if your SVT is triggered as easily as mine was a holistic approach will help, but not be a cure. For anyone reading this I say “significantly reduce your caffine intake to a maximum of 2 cups of tea a day, or 1 higher dose caffine drink” otherwise you may end up with permanent heart speed or rhythm problems like me…

    Just a few thought,
    Andrew.

    2013/11/24 at 2:17 am

    • From Dr. George Blagoue on The COURSE

      You state: ” …a holistic approach will help, but not be a cure.” NEWSFLASH!! Taking every natural remedy you can find and drinking smoothies daily is not a holistic approach. Did you consult a holistic practitioner to determine your body’s mineral levels? I’d bet not. Two ablations and a pacemaker prove your approach isn’t working. ( Though this comment may not see the light of day, someone needed to say it.) GB

      2015/07/07 at 12:32 pm

      • From Laura Madrigano on The COURSE

        Hi GB. Why the hostility? I go see holistic practioners all the time. I would love to have my minerals tested. Who had 2 ablations and a pacemaker? NOT ME!!!! I already know ablations dont work. Your preaching to the choir. If you think mineral testing is the way to go, I asked you to write a guest blog about it years ago without reply. Would love a helpful article about it. If interested in authoring one, email me at Lmadrigano@aol.com Thanks!

        2015/07/07 at 1:27 pm

  • From Annette Greene on Travel and SVT

    From what I’ve read, the defibrillator can be really painful if you are conscious.

    2013/11/19 at 1:23 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on Travel and SVT

      maybe…I have never had it, I declined it and chose the adenosine shot….The only reason I even mentioned it was to provide us all comfort in the knowing that if we are on a plane, and desperate (if we cant convert ourselves)…there is an option…probably not comfortable on any level! Keep the comments coming, would love to hear people’s experience with SVT on a plane! Thank you, Laura

      2013/11/19 at 1:46 pm

  • From Maryann on Travel and SVT

    Why is green vib suggested when it has caffeine?

    2013/11/19 at 5:53 am

    • From nourishmyspirit on Travel and SVT

      Thanks for your question…see below! Thank you!

      “Vibrant Health Q & A: Green Vibrance, Whole Food Supplement
      Q: I get so much energy from Green Vibrance! Does it contain caffeine?

      A: Green Vibrance is a whole food supplement and as such is NOT a central nervous system stimulant. Green Vibrance supplies about two tenths of a milligram of caffeine, and that from green tea extract. A cup of coffee delivers 500 times more caffeine.

      Sustained Energy Comes from Trace Nutrients in Whole Food Supplements

      The sustained energy derived from Green Vibrance is simply caused by delivery of broad range trace nutrients to the cells of the body. When they are properly fed; that is, when they receive the trace nutrients they need to function properly, the cells are then better able to draw in nutrients, expel waste products, and generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate – the molecule of energy) at optimal levels.

      I like to look at our vitality as the sum total of the vitality of every cell in our bodies. As Green Vibrance delivers nutrients needed for optimal metabolism to those cells, one’s total bodily energy output will increase. Additionally, the immune system efficiency improves, eventually clearing away some of the toxins and pathogens that may have previously been responsible for compromising the function of one or more body systems.

      Over time, Green Vibrance will improve nutrient delivery across the intestinal mucosa, as well as vascular circulation. These two attributes further enhance subsequent nutrient delivery to cells, helping assure that energy production will be steady, normal, and as near full potential as possible from supplementation alone.”

      2013/11/19 at 1:50 pm

  • From Lucy on My Story

    I just came across this blog when I was searching for SVT answers. I haven’t got the ablation yet but considering in having it next year, I am terrify of the outcome but I am tired of feeling like Im having a heart attack! I was given heart medication but I can’t tolerate the side effects so I am taking alternative medicine, magnesium taurate, omega 3 and potassium every day. I sometimes feel better but I really don’t know if these vitamins are helping or is my mind trying to think so. Yesterday and today I have felt like passing out, like heartburn feeling, chest/neck pressure, arms numbing..etc. I wish I could find a solution for this problem..I can’t work and don’t know if I will wake up tomorrow…

    2013/11/18 at 5:40 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      I would start with the basics….Are you eating gluten? Get yourself tested for your food allergens and start eliminating them…and if you cant afford to or don’t want to then just eliminate gluten, sugar and alcohol for 2 months and see if you have a noticeable difference in the frequency of your SVT’s…Sounds like you might have acid reflux which is another digestive issue…It all starts in your gut…sounds like that’s the place to look for answers! Are there things you are eating that you know don’t agree with you? all the best, laura

      2013/11/18 at 6:11 pm

  • From Annette Greene on Travel and SVT

    Thanks. I’d love to hear from anyone with SVT who has had an experience with cardioversion.

    2013/11/18 at 4:23 pm

    • From kendra on Travel and SVT

      im sure you have already heard from people but I am just coming across this blog 🙂 my 1 1/2 year old has SVT and needs to be cardioverted on a regular basis. Adenosine has never worked for her heart because it is so large (her CHD is ebsteins anamoly- enlarged heart with tricuspid valves not working) they always shock her with either a defib or through her nose with an esophageal tracer. they giver her meds to sedate her so she cant feel it. I absolutely hate it but it does the trick. An ice bag over her mouth nose and forehead also works on occasion

      2015/01/20 at 2:05 pm

  • From Annette Greene on Travel and SVT

    Laura, I love all your suggestions but have one question: is it advisable to use a defibrillator on someone experiencing SVT? I have never heard of this. Thanks.

    2013/11/17 at 4:10 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on Travel and SVT

      YES! You can use a defibrillator…I was offered this at my first visit to the ER during my first SVT episode ever. I chose to get the shot of adenosine instead. The shot is preferable, but in an emergency situation, like on a plane they would likely use the defibrillator. I personally would try that mid-flight if I could not convert it myself after a few hours…and if I didn’t pass out first!

      From Web MD: “Electrical Cardioversion (Defibrillation) for a Fast Heart Rate

      “Electrical cardioversion is a procedure in which a brief electric shock is given to the heart to reset the heart rhythm back to its normal, regular pattern (normal sinus rhythm, or NSR). The shock is given through metal paddles or patches applied to the outside of the chest wall. Cardioversion is often used as an emergency procedure to correct a fast heart rhythm that is causing low blood pressure, chest pain, or heart failure. Also, it is used in nonurgent situations to convert atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter to normal heart rhythm……. “Cardioversion is only a temporary fix for a fast heart rate. Medicines (such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers or other antiarrhythmic medicines) may be used to keep the heart rate slow when a person has an episode of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). For long-term treatment and to reduce the chance of having another episode of either SVT or ventricular tachycardia (VT), catheter ablation or medicine can be used.”

      2013/11/17 at 4:30 pm

  • From Jenay Baker on My Story

    Hi,
    I was recently diagnosed with SVT and recommended to get the surgery and take the meds because my episodes are frequent and pretty severe with a 2-3 day backlash. Since I found this wonderful site, I decided to try to control it naturally first, so for 3 weeks now I have cut out all sugar, dairy, gluten, caffeine, alcohol and eat very limited meats, and have had only one episode since the day after I decided to try to have a half of glass of vodka and sparkling water with lime out with friends. It was occurring every 2-3 days, so the alcohol seemed to trigger it. Now here is my concern. I have a 7 day trip to Cabo that I already paid over $3k to go for a week in Feb 2014! This is all inclusive of food and alcohol. This is what is going through my head with international travel.. What if I have one in Mexico and need ER care? What if I eat gluten on accident or have little to no other options? What if I decide to indulge in a drink? Is it even worth going on an all inclusive trip with unlimited food and alcohol if I can’t indulge in any of it for an entire week? Does an airplane trigger an episode?? All these concerns, all these worries. I just started getting these episodes in the past two months and was lucky enough to catch it on a monitor, but it is still so new and so scary. I am considering just skipping the whole trip and forfeiting the $3k already spent. Has anyone traveled for a week internationally where you can’t bring your own food? What did you do? I hate to be a prisoner to SVT, but I am so nervous I will eat something with hidden gluten and have an episode in mexico which again, puts me in bed 2-3 days after as I can barely even walk once it is over. Please help!!!

    Jenay

    2013/11/16 at 3:23 pm

    • From nourishmyspirit on My Story

      Hi Jenay, Thank you so much for writing! While I cannot advise you on what to do about your trip…I can say the following…Its GREAT news that you can clearly see that positive changes that you have made to your diet have directly influenced the frequency of your SVT’s! That’s really positive results and encouraging for you to keep it up! You are in control of your health and it shows!!!!

      Thee are things that you can do when you travel to help support yourself….I will write a quick blog post on that now for you to review.

      Look at this experience from a birdseye view and remember that whatever you decide to do about your trip, you know that the things you eat, and the way you take care of yourself directly relate to your heart. I am sure this new knowledge will take you on a path of further healing on many levels! Im really excited for you as it shows that your body really responds well when you take the garbage out of it….Keep eating clean and I bet you will continue to feel great and drastically reduce your SVT’s! Much Love, Laura

      2013/11/17 at 2:14 pm

  • From jenay baker on The INNER circle

    What Are Some Symptoms After An Svt? I Am So Weak That I Can’t Drive FOr 3 Days Or Really Walk At All. I Gradually Improve In Those 3 Days, But It’s Like My Gas Tank Goes From Full To Empty Just By Standing Up. Is This Common?

    2013/11/15 at 2:21 am

    • From Eve on The INNER circle

      I get extremely weak as well. My arms and legs basically give out during and after an SVT. I would say its probably common because you are getting very little oxygen to the rest of your body while the heart is working so hard and beating so fast.

      2014/03/10 at 8:43 am

      • From Robert on The INNER circle

        I have been an SVT sufferer for 10 years. My incidences have been sporadic. Some times once a month some time none for as long a 15 months. I do take 25 mgs of a beta blocker per day. I have learned to always carry a pulse oxymeter with me. As long as my oxygen level doesn’t fall below 95 % ,I don’t worry too much any more. I usually do go to my doctor or the ER to get a shot of intravenous metoprolal. Yesterday I walked out of the ER choosing to skip all of the other tests they want to do.
        I recommend that people who have SVT carry a pulse oxymeter which can be purchased on line for as little as $15 and carried easily in a purse or on a belt. It really helps both psychologically knowing that as long as your getting oxygen at a good rate (all other thing being equal) you probably won’t have a heart attack. It also helps you monitor exactly what your heart rate is when to seek immediate help

        2016/07/25 at 9:46 pm
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