Vt events on interrogation

Hi! I thought I was doing very well until I went for my semi-annual in-person device interrogation. At the interrogation, I found out that I had 4 monitored VT events, the longest event was 7 minutes. I had no idea I had this. The lady doing the interrogation, just casually mentions this to me, and I asked if it is something concerning, and she responded  "no". She didn't even tell me when did these events occurred. I am very active, I ride mountain bikes, and plan on riding some long/hard trails come spring/summer. Now I don't know if I need to cut back on my riding or not, as I am almost certain that it occurred during one of my rides.  Should I contact my md and ask for his explanation of these events? or just do nothing, as the lady said that it is nothing to worry about? has anyone had something similar happen to you? Thank you!

4 Comments

I think I would contact your EP-doc

by crustyg - 2021-02-16 13:08:41

Non-sustained VT is generally nothing to worry about, but 7min of VT is clearly sustained and I would want to talk to my EP-doc about that.

Timing: yes, I agree, it makes sense to know date/time.  I *always* take a USB-stick (==thumb-drive) with me to interrogations and get all of the reports on it before I leave.  I have a log of all exercise so it's easy to check and my NSVTs always match with effort.

They can tell if the source is atrial or ventricular by the timing of the activity from each lead, so I don't think that there's any doubt about VT versus SVT.

Mind you, I can't say I would be rushing to start anti-arrhythmia meds, but if that's what an expert EP-doc ends up recommending, then I would accept it.  And still keep cycling...

I suffer from non sustained VT

by Gemita - 2021-02-16 14:39:36

Hello Pinkit94,

I can understand your concern and I agree totally with crustyg that you need an explanation from your doctors.  I would also want some investigations done to rule in or out a cause.  Many of us can experience runs of VT, and it can be fairly normal but when I read about a 7 min episode you had, I would certainly not be satisfied with your technician's response to your concern.

It can be difficult with the pacemaker ECG records to confirm with confidence the nature of an arrhythmia.  Indeed one of my long episodes of VT was eventually confirmed as an atrial tachy arrhythmia (SVT) but it took a period of monitoring to sort this out and also advice from my Medtronic technicians.  Your doctors may want to check for electrolyte disturbances and other causes first though.

Sustained VT is any ventricular tachycardia (over 100 bpm) that lasts for more than 30 seconds and you would be symptomatic.  I suffer from non sustained VT which is a ventricular tachycardia of three of more heartbeats in a row at a rate greater than 100 bpm but which lasts less than 30 seconds.  I can however generally feel these episodes.  My doctors are not too concerned but an eye is being kept on it in case episodes increase. 

I am reassured that you do not seem to have been symptomatic during your VT episodes, you were certainly unaware of them, so this might suggest that your heart was more than able to tolerate the ventricular rate that occurred and for the duration it occurred.

In the meantime I would continue with your usual activities, but make that appointment for a tel consult at least with your EP.  They may want to carry out monitoring and other tests.  Push for answers in the very least.

On another subject, how are you getting on with your new boyfriend?  I hope everything is going well

 

vt events

by islandgirl - 2021-02-16 23:04:26

I would definitely contact your EP.  Write down your questions.  Did the ICD 'pace you out' of the ventricular arrhythmias?  What was your rate?  Med changes or does changes may help.  Maybe just ICD adjustments.  What were your atrial and ventricular rates?  

Sustained ventricular tachycardia of 7 minutes

by Selwyn - 2021-02-17 13:00:29

First,  let us distinguish between sinus tachycardia ie. a fast heart beat associated with the body's demands, a venticular tachycardia lasting a few seconds ie. an abnormal conduction problem self correcting- a normal finding, and a sustained ventricular tachycardia that can be associated with sudden, fatal arrhythmias.

Please do not exercise to any degree until this is sorted. A 7 minute VT is significant and if brought on by exercise, it is sensible to not exercise until this is sorted. You will not die through lack of exercise for a few weeks, you may die from your sustained VT !

https://www.verywellhealth.com/ventricular-tachycardia-1746259

At least you know that you have a significant problem that needs  a cardiological opinion. The sooner the better. A VT of > 100 bpm may be asymptomatic in a fit person ( My heart rate is well in excess of this with exercise). However, a sustained VT is not a normal fast heartbeat  - as such fatalities occur. 

Pick up the phone and get an appointment!

 

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Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.