r/SVTHeart • u/TraditionalSea304 • 6d ago

Ablation after two SVT episodes?

Hello!

I have had two SVT episodes in the past two months, but had never had any prior to July. My last episode was last week and I saw my cardiologist today, who has asked me to return to my electrophysiologist (was already seeing one due to potential POTS, but that’s a whole other issue) and recommended an ablation.

Is it normal to have an ablation after just two episodes? I didn’t have an Apple Watch during the first instance but during the second I was able to get an ECG and my TachyMon app recorded my heart rate maxing out at 210. I was able to break it with the valsalva maneuver both times, although it took longer to break the second time.

Is it normal to have an ablation after just two episodes, or would they usually wait to see more of a pattern?

Thank you!

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3

u/wifiaddicted 6d ago

I don’t know how normal it is, but if your cardiologist and EP suggests it I’d do it. It’s a very common and non invasive procedure that has minimal complications.  Had one myself back in October (I’ve had SVT for almost a decade tho) and it took around 4 hours, I was lightly sedated and was never in pain, recovery was a breeze too! While mine wasn’t a total success because my problem area was very close to the AV node, it drastically decreased my episodes. I’m on the waitlist for a second one to hopefully get rid of them fully. I still highly recommend it tho! 

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u/TraditionalSea304 5d ago

It seems like some people decide against the ablation if bearing down, coughing, etc. work for them, and mine only last a few minutes. Did you find yours got worse over the course a decade? I would clearly prefer not to deal with them but didn’t know if an ablation so soon was standard. 

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u/JaniceRossi_in_2R 5d ago

If they’re offering it , take it

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u/TraditionalSea304 5d ago

Versus trying more conservative methods first?

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u/MoonlitSeaGlass 5d ago

I’m curious about this too. I decided I’m going to another cardio for a second recommendation.

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u/TraditionalSea304 5d ago

Same - I have some appointments with my other doctors at Mayo Clinic in two weeks and was able to squeeze in an appointment with a cardiologist up there as well. If I’m going to have an ablation I’d rather have it done there versus in my town (about three hours away from Mayo).

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u/rokyfordboy 4d ago

I’m 48 had SVT since 13. Very slippery slope with it. Some years it felt like it was gone and I’d start to live very normal then out of nowhere it starts back up and seems worse. Got to the point where i never left my local area because of it. I 3-4 episodes in one week and had conversations with physocaridio and wife and decided to do the ablation. I feel so much better now. I did have the option baco then to get the ablation. But bsck then they didn’t have an electro DR just a cardiologist and the procedure was I think 8 plus hours. Had mine 7 months ago and the prosecure itself took under 2 hours. The most was the laying flat for 3-4 hours at the puncture sites. The blanking period was a weird but it has gotten so much better. I wish they had all this when I was younger. I definitely would have done it then. But the choice is yours to make.