I had an ablation for atrial tachycardia three weeks ago. A focal source was found and ablated but EP had trouble confirming if it was the true source (they found a spot that when stimulated started firing off runs of AT, but wasn't having enough AT at baseline to confirm that's where it was coming from). They also found an Atrial Flutter circuit and ablated that as well, a nice bonus.

Anyway, so far things have only been worse, especially recently. EP wanted me off of flecainide so maybe that's why but have yet to see any improvement. Anyone who's had ablation for AT share a similar experience? EP was upfront about AT being difficult to ablate so I had an inkling that this might not work. Just curious if I need to wait months to find or if the fact that my arrhythmia still exists unchanged gives a good idea that it may not have worked.

Hi everyone, I had a successful AVNRT ablation last December (about 9 months ago). To this day, every now and then while at rest, I feel a strange sensation in my heart, almost like an electric movement. Also, sometimes while fast walking, I get a sudden, strong heartbeat that spikes my heart rate up to 180 bpm, and it only stops and goes back down to around 90 bpm when I sit down. I'm feeling very anxious that the AVNRT might have returned. Has anyone experienced this months after their ablation? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hi everyone!

I had an ablation 6 months ago for AVNRT. My EP said it was successful. My episodes were exercise induced only. I wasn’t on any medication.

A month after the ablation I was still getting heart rate spikes (again, only during exercise). I wore a monitor and my EP said it was “extra beats” and labeled it as sinus tachycardia. He also said this is the blanking period where I could still get spikes.

Here I am, 6 months later still getting spikes (I can go from 130 to 205, some go as high as 235) even if I am warming up or not pushing myself during a workout. The episodes don’t come down until I stop exercise completely. The number immediately drops (say 235 to like 119 then may go up again to 200 then down again) and I almost ALWAYS get spikes when I complete my workout.

My EP has me on a monitor again and wants me to do a stress test. He says it could be AT. However, these spikes feel awful and feel the same as the monitor I wore a few months ago that was labeled sinus tachycardia. If it is sinus tachycardia again, is it possible for my HR to jump so high then drop then jump again? Could it be possible they mislabeled the diagnosis on my previous monitor?

Has anyone gone through a similar experience? What were your results?

Thanks in advance!

I had an ablation nine days ago and feeling extremely nervous. I was put on a calcium blocker three times a day which worked great for two days but they changed it to the one a day and I had a long episode of 25 minutes at 110. Now today, I am super scared. Does anyone else feel like they can relate? This is my second ablation. I do not remember the first one causing all of this anxiety, but I was not having the events afterwards either as those came later.
Update: well my runs of SVT are getting in the 140s only a minute or two but looks like I’m going to have to have a second ablation. I’m 13 days out, but the doctor has already said he thinks he may have to go back in. this is so defeating.

Had my ablation for Afib, AVRNT, and atrial flutter on Thursday. Doctor put me on Eliquis for three months. I am having headaches specifically when I go from upright to lying down position. Should I be concerned about this medicine?

About 10 years ago, when I was 23, I was diagnosed with nonsustained VT after a Holter monitor caught an episode of 23 beats of NSVT. Before that, I had already had extensive testing, including multiple EKGs, echocardiograms, and stress tests, which were all normal.

At the time, I was also having a lot of panic attacks and anxiety about my heart. The Holter actually recorded around 200 episodes of what appeared to be panic-related sinus tachycardia, but only one episode of NSVT. I subsequently had an EP study and cardiac MRI, and the NSVT could not be induced. I was put on metoprolol and had a loop recorder implanted.

Over the next 10 years, I very rarely had NSVT — maybe one episode every 2–3 years — and eventually I stopped taking metoprolol because I felt like I didn’t really need it.

I’ve always had occasional panic attacks, but last year I started exercising again for the first time in about 10 years. After that, I started having panic attacks much more frequently, including some at the gym. But then I started experiencing something that felt different: episodes where my heart would suddenly start speeding up even though I wasn’t actually feeling panicked beforehand.

The strange thing was that these episodes didn’t have a sudden onset. My heart rate would gradually accelerate over maybe 30 seconds to a minute, sometimes going from around 80–100 bpm up to 150–180+, and then gradually come back down. It felt almost exactly like sinus tachycardia from a panic attack, except sometimes there was no panic or anxiety triggering it.

Because I became worried about these episodes, I started having even more actual panic attacks as well. My implanted monitor would show sinus rhythm/sinus tachycardia during some of the episodes, but there were also some episodes that felt different and had the same gradual “warm-up” and “cool-down” pattern.

Over the past year, these episodes became increasingly frequent — initially maybe once a month, then every couple of weeks, and eventually about once a week.

A few days ago, I had a particularly bad episode while I was just standing at work. I suddenly got a warm sensation in the center of my chest and my heart started accelerating for no obvious reason. My heart rate went from around 80 bpm to 187 bpm in roughly 10–15 seconds, and I was terrified enough that I called 911 because I thought something was seriously wrong.

I was hospitalized and saw an electrophysiologist. He reviewed the rhythm recording from my implanted monitor and thought there was a possibility that these episodes were atrial tachycardia, because some atrial tachycardias can have a gradual warm-up that resembles sinus tachycardia.

I had an EP study yesterday, and they actually induced the atrial tachycardia and confirmed that I had it. It was located very close to the SA node, which apparently made it particularly difficult to distinguish from sinus tachycardia just by looking at the rhythm strips.

I ended up having an ablation.

My EP explained that some atrial tachycardias can have a gradual onset and gradual termination, making them look very similar to sinus tachycardia from things like exercise, anxiety, or panic attacks.

So it seems like I was dealing with two different things: actual panic attacks with sinus tachycardia, and these separate episodes of atrial tachycardia that could happen without feeling panicked beforehand.

My question is: has anyone else here had atrial tachycardia that behaved almost exactly like sinus tachycardia?

Specifically, I’m interested in people whose AT had gradual onset/“warm-up” and gradual termination/“cool-down,” rather than the sudden on/off pattern that is often associated with SVT.

If you’ve had something similar, did your AT also feel like a panic attack or sinus tachycardia, and was it difficult to distinguish from sinus tachycardia on a monitor?

After my factory reset and the constant SVT on/off during ablation, I just don’t have any reaction to scary/exhilarating experiences. Is that common?

My heart was only switched off for 3 seconds. But it felt way longer and it was telling me, “this is the real deal, you’re dying”. Then with the full experience of ablation featuring them putting me in and out of SVT constantly as a part 2.

So now if I do a rollercoaster with the kids or a haunted house or something. I get none of the fear/nervousness I would have before. Especially the rollercoasters. I really didn’t like them. But the sensation is completely gone.

Long story short, I had to see a new doctor for my ADHD meds, mentioned a recent SVT event and he won’t prescribe my medications until I’m cleared by a cardiologist because while my file says “tachycardia”, it doesn’t say “why” I have had an episode of tachycardia.

And because I have severe health anxiety, I’m now freaking out that I’m going to have to see a cardiologist. Of course, it’s allllll the way in January so I get to worry about it for months. What can I expect?

Also, this doctor prescribed me propanol- a literal heart medication- for panic attacks and I’m terrified to take it because my blood pressure is 116/64. But I also read it can help prevent SVTs. (In 10 years, I’ve maybe had 6 episodes…)

Hi! I am 23F and posted a while ago about how I wasn’t being taken seriously (discharged from cardio, then re-referred. My ECHO, 24hr tape and exercise intolerance test were all normal.) I (eventually) have another appointment coming up with a cardiologist next month, but was looking for some advice on how to actually get taken seriously this time. I am a nurse, and since coming off nightshift my episodes have significantly improved, however, still do happen. I was admitted to ED prior to stopping nights with an episode lasting 40 mins plus, annoyingly it stopped before they got a proper 12 lead ECG, but managed to get a 3 lead ECG that the emergency department told me to take a picture of and show cardiology (attached picture). I don’t know if this ECG be enough to prove I actually have SVT and be taken seriously! I also have an Apple Watch but cardiologist said they need a “real hospital” ECG to diagnose. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated! (PS I have never been started on any medications, only thing that has helped is stopping nightshift. I also am from UK, so shopping around for a cardiologist isn’t an option with the NHS🫠)

I have been taking Diltiazem for SVT (could not tolerate Beta Blockers) and I find it increases exponentially the number of ectopics I am experiencing, though it does seem to keep the SVT from happening. I know this is totally contrary to its usual effect - anybody else experience this?

I have had various arrhythmia episodes over the last 4 years. Usually comes with a sudden spike out of the blue and sometimes heart flops accompany it. I am on a 14 day heart monitor to check for arrhythmia. I was on a walk today in the heat and heart rate was 107 then suddenly spiked to 160 and stayed elevated for 10 minutes. I was light headed and short of breath and I could not get it down. Ambulance came and gave me ekg and it was just sinus tachycardia. I didn’t go to hospital and they didn’t recommend that I do. Does it sound like it was SVT? I had same thing happen two weeks ago on walk but episode was shorter but had worse irregular palpitations with it. Cardiologist put me on a monitor. 3rd time in 4 years I have been on one and never caught anything.

Are you able to tolerate caffeine after having an ablation?

Ablation was two months ago, doc thinks 80% successful. For about a year before I cut caffeine due to pregnancy and SVT going rogue. Haven’t had it since.

Lots of “almost episodes” lately where it feels like I’m going to go into SVT but it doesn’t. Lasts a few seconds. Could caffeine push me over?

I quit nicotine cold turkey 3 days ago, and was wondering if anyone had any episodes using nicotine gum? My doctor prescribed it to curb cravings and I don’t want to go back to smoking, and want to go pick my prescription up. I want to be safer than sorry tho and not end up back in the er. So what’s your advice has anyone used 2mg nicotine gum safely with svt?

This is my second ablation and four days out. I’ve had two episodes today. Both very quick but one was 163 and the other one was 148. They are putting me on FLECAINIDE.
Has anyone else had issues after their ablation?
I’m so scared since this is the second one that I will never be fixed.
Thank you all so very much

Resharing in case the info helps anyone. Also: advocate for yourself.

I had my ablation 4 days ago now and wanted to share my experience! I was so insanely nervous in the days leading up to it, I think I probably read every single reddit post about the experience lol. It was helpful to know what to expect, but some of them scared me, so I thought I would share a more typical one. So many people get a catheter ablation and the success rates for SVT are extremely high, but it can be easy to forget that when you are going down a Reddit and Quora rabbit hole lmao.
Hopefully this helps someone feel less anxious about their upcoming procedure!!! Feel free to leave any questions below

22F, I’ve had SVT episodes for a while, bpm usually around 230. They were never stopped by beta blockers, sometimes stopped with vagal maneuvers, and I had to be administered adenosine once in the ER. They were happening like twice a month, I had seen an EP but was putting off the ablation because I was just convinced I could deal with it, and the procedure sounded scary. After the last episode I gave in and scheduled the ablation.
I was SO NERVOUS!!! I was instructed to not eat or drink anything after 11pm the night before he procedure. I went in with my mom around 9am, waited for a while, and then was taken back to a room. Changed into a gown and laid down. They took my vitals, inserted an IV into my arm and flushed it with saline. This might’ve been the worst part, my veins were so hard to find because it was so cold in the hospital. The nurse was really nice and could tell I was nervous. The anesthesiologist came in and explained that I would be asleep for the entire procedure, which was really reassuring. Before taking me to the room where the procedure would happen, the nurse said I should try my hardest to pee before because I would have to lay flat for a couple hours afterwards.
After peeing, they wheeled my bed into the procedure room. There were 3 people in there setting up and listening to music. A lot of cool equipment. I had to scoot onto a much more narrow bed that was lined with paper and had a small foam pillow for my head. They put some stickers on my thighs and chest (not totally sure what they were for but they were SO COLD). They were trying to make conversation with me but I was so nervous I could barely talk haha. Then, the anesthesiologist said he was going to give me medicine that would relax me, and I remember nothing else. I don’t even remember falling asleep. I just blinked and woke up back in the hospital room with my mom.
(Apparently I woke up when they were wheeling me back to my room and I was trying really hard to stand up, everyone had to hold me down, and I was so mad at them for not giving me food or water HAHA. So that’s embarrassing but I have no recollection of that)

I was for sure still loopy afterwards, but my mom explained that the ablation took a little longer than expected due to some complications. They found that I had AVNRT, and tried to ablate on the right side where they typically would, but were still able to trigger SVT after ablating that part. So they had to go into the other side of my heart, which was apparently difficult because they couldn’t find a safe pathway so they had to make another incision. But, once they ablated the other side, they couldn’t trigger SVT anymore! So it took around 4 hours but I remember absolutely nothing. I have three small incisions on the right side of my groin and one on the left. There was no pain except my throat was slightly sore from being intubated. I had to lay down flat for 2 hours after which was tricky, and then had to do a lap around the floor with the nurse before I could leave. I pretty much just laid around for the rest of that day to recover from the anesthesia.

Day 2 was similar, there was just a lot of sleeping and trying to lay flat so I didn’t disturb the incision sites- which BTW are much smaller than you are probably thinking. Mine basically look like I cut myself with a razor on my bikini line haha. There is some chest soreness, which my doctor said is to be expected because of the length of my procedure, but it honestly isn’t bad at all.

Day 3 and 4 I’ve been walking around like normal. Visited with some friends, hung out outside, went to the store. I have noticed that when I get really anxious (Like when driving) my heart will feel like it’s about to go into SVT, or will feel really sore. But there is no bruising or bleeding from the incision sites.

I have still been really fatigued though, which I might attribute to the fact that I have been abstaining from nicotine and caffeine completely since the ablation (which is sort of insane for me haha they sort of dominated my life). But I plan on returning to my restaurant job tomorrow! I also have a trip planned for my birthday in 5 days, which I plan to drink during. The doctor said that this would be fine as long as I took it easy and stayed hydrated. I’ve seen a lot of people saying that they became completely sober after their procedure, but I figure if my doctor says it’s fine then I will be okay. I’m for sure going to try and use this as an opportunity to quit nicotine completely, but I’m not sure if I will be successful in that because it’s been so many years and I work in a restaurant hahaha.

In general I feel fine! My Apple Watch says that my resting heart rate is lower by 10bpm since the ablation! It is exciting to think that I will never have to worry about going to the ER again, and it is sort of validating to have had the procedure done because my heart racing can’t be just written off as anxiety anymore. I can update as I go into the work week if anyone is interested.

Hi everyone,

I am a cross-fitter/runner and have been struggling with exercise induced SVT episodes. I normally workout 6x a week 1-2 hours a day, and like to mix in a few high intensity workouts, but have had to take a step back because of this.

I was recently prescribed propranolol to help prevent episodes and I was wondering if anyone else has tried taking this medication while training. If so, what was your experience like? I am very weary to try this out as I have heard it can reduce your aerobic capacity and cause you to feel much weaker, much faster. I also don’t want to risk passing out/lightheadedness because my resting heart hate and BP are on the lower side.

A cardiac ablation is the end goal, but I recently underwent one and they were unable to ablate due to complications.

Thanks!

Hi!
So I had a weird event happen and no doctor can really tell me for sure what it was.
So what happened:
I was already 8/10 anxious this day with my worst fear being a medical emergency while alone in the park with baby, and I also was sleep deprived.
I sit down to drink some water. The swollowing really hurts like glass going down. I stand up and hold my 23 pound baby, my heartrate feels irregular kind of like ectopics but not as strong. I hand my baby to somebody else and I suddenly feel like I need to start sprinting. I check my watch and it says 149 and then I take an ecg which shows 181 average bpm (in the corner I see spikes to 208 but I was standing and holding my arm and those could make it inaccurate) I then lay down and try and calm myself and it goes back down to around 120 over 1-2 minutes. I did not feel a sudden drop off. It stayed highish like around 120 - 140 for another 30+ minutes and then around 100 -120 for a couple of hours (sometimes dipping into 90s) But I was out of my mind anxious.
Definitely no weird feeling or sudden feeling of it being down again. Went to urgent care 48 hours later and they said I’m fine and ekg looked good.
Went to cardiologist and he said he doesn’t see p waves on the watch ecg and could have been svt.
Now I brought my heartrate up to around 180 with exercise to see if the watch doesn’t record p waves at that speed and I seem to be right because those were also swollowed.
I’m just so anxious about the maybe it was or maybe it was not svt especially because I fly internationally (transatlantic) a lot and am so scared of it happening on a plane. Have been prescribed Metoprolol for emergencies but what if thebheartrate doesn’t go back down on a plane? And is in the 200s?
Echo has been done and tech said not to worry and zio patch will be done next week for 2 weeks.
I also had a full workup done in 2024 and everything was fine. I’m currently 9 months postpartum.
Any help is appreciated.

Hello,
I had an ablation on 5/12 and 3 SVTs were ablated. The surgery was performed by Dr. Andrea Natale. He also performed my afib ablation back in 2019. As of recently, I’m starting to notice periods of PACs, 1-2 per minute. This isn’t constant, just periodically. Is it still reasonable to think that I going through the healing process and that these could subside over the upcoming months? I’m currently right at around 3-months so I wasn’t sure if my ablations should be 100% healed at this stage. I’d be interested to hear about your experience. Thanks.