I have a heart condition called SVT or Supraventricular Tachycardia.I was born with it--curses! It is an abnormal fast heart rhythm that starts in the upper chambers, or the atria, of the heart. Normally, the heart's electrical system precisely controls the rhythm and rate at which the heart beats. In supraventricular tachycardia, abnormal electrical connections cause the heart to beat too fast. Typically, during episodes, the heart speeds up to rates of 150 to 200 beats per minute and occasionally as high as 300. That means my chest tightens painfully, I lose feeling in my limbs, loss of breath, nausea, fainting, blood pressure drops, throwing up, ER. It's awful and I'm tired of it.
So, tomorrow, I'm going in for surgery. The procedure is called a Catheter Ablation. WARNING: Don't read on if you're squeamish!
During catheter ablation, a long, thin, flexible tube will be placed into a blood vessel in my groin (upper thigh). This tube is called an ablation catheter. It will then be guided to my heart through the blood vessel. A special machine will be used to send energy through the catheter to my heart. This energy finds and destroys small areas of heart tissue where abnormal heartbeats may be causing my arrhythmias to start.
During catheter ablation, a long, thin, flexible tube will be placed into a blood vessel in my groin (upper thigh). This tube is called an ablation catheter. It will then be guided to my heart through the blood vessel. A special machine will be used to send energy through the catheter to my heart. This energy finds and destroys small areas of heart tissue where abnormal heartbeats may be causing my arrhythmias to start.
So, off I go, trying to be brave and calm.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Wish me luck.
6 comments:
Ann! I will be praying for you that everything goes smoothly tomorrow! I have been thinking of you a lot lately. Hang in there.
Love you!
Amy
My Dearest AnnE,
I will definitely being praying for you and thinking about you. David has HCM (similar to what you have, but I believe it is in the lower part of the heart). He knows all about abnormal, racing heartbeats. I feel for you, my friend. Please know that we are thinking about you and praying all goes well and that you have a speedy recovery. Please know that you are not alone!
We will be thinking of you!
I so much hope that this goes completely smoothly! You'll be in my prayers!
Kate
Oh my, Ann! What a brave heart you are. Am thinking about you, Mark and the girls. Much love for you all.
good luck! we'll come by and visit soon...
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