SVT and pregnancy

[paz1]

Hello. I just wondered if anyone out there has SVT and has found it got worse in pregnancy and if so how did you manage?? Also...has anyone with SVT ever actually passed out and had a convulsion/fit-like episode? Am 12 weeks and have had a couple of episodes where mostly its been a bit of a headrush and then really fast heart rate for quite a long time. It is manageable but scary. However I had a one-off fit a week ago...the few seconds before it happened were exactly like I feel when the other thing happens...bit of a headrush so I lay down but then I actually convulsed and came round about 1 min later - with really fast heart rate. Not a nice experience at all. Having first thought it might be a neuro issue (have had lots of tests and all are normal) docs are now pretty convinced it is SVT. Has anyone got any similar experiences? Need some reassurance before I go mad with worry! Thankyou x

Hi Paz, I have epilepsy and a history of SVT so can empathise with all your worries.

I have suffered with palpitations for years and years but only very, very mildly - I didn't even see my GP about them as they were so infrequent - but just over 12 months ago I ended up in Resus with SVT. My heart rate was just over 180bpm for about 2 hours before they got it under control. The following weekend the same thing happened again and I was started on Beta Blockers which worked well at keeping my heart rate within normal limits. When me and hubby made the decision to TTC I spoke to my Cardiac Team and I made the decision to come off my medication as they couldn't give me any reassurances regarding birth defects and there can be issues with IUGR if beta blockers are taken during 2nd-3rd trimester. It is also questionable whether they are safe to breast feed on. They warned me that my palpitations and tachycardia may return but I'm currently 18 weeks and haven't had any problems (touch wood). I record my blood pressure and pulse daily and thankfully my readings have all been fine. My team can't guarantee that I'm going to remain stable or that I won't need to go back on medication at a later stage, but so far, so good.

Is your cardiac team aware of how much you are suffering?
What are they doing about it? They really need to do something to try and stabilise you for yours and the baby's safety x

Hi paz1 I've had episodes of SVT about 10 times a year for the last 27 years.
The very 1st episode at 15/16 years old I passed out (I can last about 30 mins before passing out!) but once taught how to stop fast heart rate - over 200 beats per minute (face in bowl of cold water and blow all air out of lungs until I feel I can't last any longer without taking a breath still with face in water heart "clicks" back to normal about 65 - 70 beats per min) have always been able to stop episode wihin a few min. I get the "headrush" you talk about and sometimes it's really strong and unpleasant and I think I will pass out straight away other times my heart just slides into SVT with only mild headrush.
I found myself pregnant for the 1st time earlier this year at 41 years old and in the early weeks I found my SVT became much more frequent (although I could still control it) and sometimes had slight palpatations (which I don't normally get) rather than fully speeded up sessions. These I could control by lying on my right hand side! I mentioned the increased frequency to my midwife but she was not concerned at all. I was only seen by a cardiac team in my teens and not since. Unfortunately I had a mmc at 9 weeks but the SVT episode frequency did not revert back to "normal" for me until I had a negative pregnancy test so I can only assume the SVT episodes are affected by hormones (my SVT has always been more likely around my period as well) As we are still ttc I am going to see a cardiac consultant for advice soon and I strongly advise you seek an appt with a cardiac consultant as in my experience (I work in the healthcare) GP's have very very little knowledge on SVT and interpreting ECG's, it is not their speciality. I'm sure a Cardiac Consultant can put your mind at rest and give you really good advice. Hope you have a healthy, happy pregnancy x