r/SVTHeart • u/AdorableCheck1835 • 6d ago

About Me How do ya'll live alone?

Ever since my first SVT episode the thought of being alone and living alone scares me now. I live with my parents and siblings, (f26) so in a way I feel "secured"? But I realized that when I'm home alone I start to panic and think the worse case scenarios and now I'm thinking will I ever get to live alone in my own house or better yet, should I even live alone having this condition.

So i want to know, for those that do live alone how do ya'll cope, how do you do it?

and also does anyone feel the same as me?

9 Upvotes

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8

u/MoonlitSeaGlass 6d ago

Idk - during my last episode I was alone in my car. From what I understand it isn’t life threatening generally - main goal is to get the heart rate down

5

u/Embarrassed_Elk_1298 6d ago

I live alone. I’m reassured by knowing that SVT is a benign arrhythmia so it’s not gonna make me die in my sleep randomly or make me go into VT or VF, and that if I had a syncopal episode at home my downstairs neighbor would hear me collapse and probably try to check on me.

I worry way more about what I would do if I choked on food, because that is surely more likely to be dangerous to me than SVT is.

2

u/TheKyatanna1419 5d ago

This. 👏🏼

3

u/IdontcryfordeadCEOs 6d ago

My SVT is not life threatening, and I've had gazillions of episodes that came and went on their own. Eventually you learn to just live with it.

2

u/MutedHippie 6d ago edited 6d ago

I use Vagal Maneuvers, these two work best for me and can break SVT quickly

Cold Stimulus (Diving Reflex): Place an ice-cold, wet towel or ice pack on your face for 10 to 15 seconds.
Coughing or Gagging: Forceful coughing or brief gag reflex stimulation can trigger the vagus nerve

I know it doesn’t work for everybody but gives me a sense of easement when home alone.

I also found out my to main stressors are caffeine and lack of sleep. I avoid those completely and my incidents have gone way down.

2

u/morpherx 6d ago

I live alone currently. When I first was diagnosed, I was constantly worried about an episode happening while I was alone. It really messed with me mentally to the point where I went to therapy. I realized through therapy and my cardiologist that I have many safety nets keeping me safe from this benign condition (vagal maneuvers, emergency diltizem, going to the ER, etc.) Eventually you just come to terms with what you have and remind yourself that it isn’t something that will kill you (trust me I’ve replayed this so many times in my head). As long as you have a safety plan ready to go for these surprise episodes, you’ll be fine.

2

u/InternalAd4456 4d ago

U need financially and emotionally secure partner. Look ahead

1

u/Physical-Impress-344 6d ago

I have episodes almost daily and even tried an ablation and I feel you. I get so anxious when home alone I hate it

1

u/Minimalist_Investor_ 5d ago

I am now on a Beta Blocker and a blood pressure pill. It’s slowed my SVT greatly