Catheter Ablation / Ablation for SVT Patients Talk Surgery Experiences

2/23/22- Korey Strozier, School Board Director for Tacoma Public Schools, joins the show to talk about his recent heart procedure, Catheter ablation.
:29- the start of heart issues
9:28- not realizing the feeling of afib / popping out of rhythm
14:31- why did we choose surgery
18:40- the downsides
20:24- getting closer to procedure day
24:50- going to the hospital for the procedure
26:55- the gown
29:37- pre-procedure
32:35- the arterial catheter
34:56- transition from triage to surgery room “the long hallway” & procedure time
43:36- you are gonna feel a burn in your arm
44:45- recovery
49:50- the real finish line
The Jeremy Mills Podcast Episode #342
Everything You Need: linktr.ee/jere...
Website: www.jeremymillspodcast.com; Twitter & Instagram @jeremyjoemills; Email: [e-mail].
Theme Song: Jeremy Mills Podcast - Don Dishes & M3_Beats

[@seth123416]

I’ve had SVT for the past couple years. Recently it had gotten worse. Where heart rate would be at over 200 bpm and my left arm, chin,ankles would go numb. Beta blockers didn’t work for me. I had my catheter ablation done 5 days ago and feel great. No more pounding heart. Highly recommend for anybody going through the same thing.

[@JeremyMills]

That is rough!! I'm glad you are doing better already. Hopefully you are healing well and enjoying the mandatory R&R.

[@alexdiaz1512]

same dealt with this for 20 years before I got It done this past Monday I feel great

[@victormayer8519]

People with undiagnosed SVT's follow almost the same pattern, such as multiple hospital visits, complaints of heart rhythm issues, anxiety, etc. This goes on for years until the arythmia is finally caught on a heart monitor. Someone needs to create a profile for SVT patients and, based on that, be eligible for a heart pacing study with electrophysiology instead of waiting years to be diagnosed.

[@Therealnickwalker]

I had an ablation for SVT in 2016. I’d choose doing the ablation any day over having those SVT episodes. One put me in the hospital because my heart was beating at almost 300 beats per minute! And I was only 22 years old at the time! The ablation worked great. Glad you guys had success as well 🙌🏼

[@JeremyMills]

Wow! That is the highest I've ever heard. Glad to hear you are holding up well. Best to you.

[@Therealnickwalker]

@@JeremyMills 🙌🏼🙌🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@anytadominicana18]

I am having my SVT ablation on the 15th of October. I have been scafed to the core ever since they told me about the procedure and watching videos like this one had made me less scared about it. I have had episodes since I was about 12 or 13 yrs old and now am 37. They have never been consistent, I have gone yrs without and episode up until September 9th, 2024 when I had to go to the ER because I was getting dizzy and out of breath. They gave me liquids through IV and medication and didnt work. They had to stop my heatt for about 10 seconds to get my heart into rhythm. 7 days after I ended in the hospital again with another episode to get the same medication to re-start my heart. I hope that my procedure goes smoothly and well.

[@JeremyMills]

Wow, that sounds rough...Glad to hear you are able to get the procedure done soon. Best of luck! There are better times ahead.

[@Amartbg]

Anybody in here that is “too young to have this problem”? You are not alone. I was hospitalized at age 29 with aflutter because my heart rate was at 170/180 while resting. I was cardioverted and had a catheter ablation for the aflutter. I was in sinus rhythm for about 4 months after before my heart went into AFib. I’m scheduled for my afib ablation in April. It’s been a tough battle, but I’m looking forward to getting back into a normal lifestyle. Videos like this have helped me calm down and not be too stressed about the procedure. God bless

[@JeremyMills]

Glad you found this Alejandro. Hope you are doing better.

[@yolandadeoliveira531]

How was your afib ablation?

[@Amartbg]

@@yolandadeoliveira531 The recovery time was a little longer than the first one but I’m still in normal sinus rhythm! I’m down to just taking metoprolol 50 mg once a day. Hope to be off that soon!

[@yolandadeoliveira531]

Thank you so much for replying. I have to take 50 mg metropolol a day also and after ablation I wasn't suppose to need medication anymore. I'm still having palpitations. I hope that goes away soon.

[@Amartbg]

@@yolandadeoliveira531 yea they said I wouldn’t need to be on meds after the ablation but here I am still taking it.. Hope things work out for the best for us!

[@maryreyes368]

I just had the SVT ablation at Kaiser April 9, 2024 after having SVT for 30 years. Developed into chronic last year to where my cardio referred me to my Electrophysiology doctor. My nurse, staff and the EP doc were great!!!!! I can elevate it by saying they are angels. Thank you, Lord. I'm doing fine now. Never realized how stressful it is living with SVT. BTW, I was awake during the procedure, blankets strapping me to the table. Also, out of the corner of my eyes, I can see the screen showing the inside of my heart and the catheter looking for the weak electrical spots in my heart to zap. I am laughing as you guys are describing your feelings pre and after op.

[@JeremyMills]

So glad to hear that you are doing better. That’s a long time to have to deal with SVT. I can’t believe you were awake - I might have chickened out haha.

[@alexdiaz1512]

Same man I was scared of the procedure incredible the releif of anxiety and impeding doom is gone once it's done

[@petepamf]

Hey thanks guys. I've had svt since i was 13 and i'm 54 now. I'm awaiting my ablation surgery and you guys have made me feel much more confident and relaxed about it. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@JeremyMills]

Glad you are finally getting some relief. Here is to a new beginning.

[@KiwikimNZ]

As long as I remember I had tachycardia episodes. I’m 54 now but over the years ectopic beats became an all day everyday thing, and episodes went from sudden start, sudden stop, to minutes and then up to 12 hours episodes, coming everyday for a few weeks at a time and then would ease off then start back up again, no triggers, mainly at night! very symptomatic, I was very breathless, faint, chest pain, nausea, unable to stand up and the usual manoeuvres stopped working, SVT took a long time to be caught on ECG, thank goodness I presented at the hospital to try get an ECG and it was a long episode, I have no idea how I drive myself there but I was over it. I had no palpable pulse, oximeter couldn’t pick up pulse, I had chest tightness and pain in my jaw and shoulder, they were unable to get a blood pressure. I was pretty close to things going very wrong. Beta blockers reduced the amount of episodes for a while but still had them. Had ablation a month ago, was horrible. Only slightly sedated, so they say, I didn’t feel any sedation! lol during the initial study, as soon as the catheter entered my heart the SVT kicked straight in, it was painful, I was getting chest pain and pain in my shoulder and jaw, short of breath… then once they went to start the procedure I was given more sedation and pain relief, was uncomfortable but successful and worth doing if it is successful! Was a genetic thing, an extra node that was firing and they had to go from left to right chamber. Groin sore for a while after and very tired for several days. But please don’t be scared, it is what it is and all worth it ❤

[@tomeekabritt5537]

Thank you for sharing your experience in this video. I was recently diagnosed with SVT and I’m scheduled for the ablation on 10/3/22. This whole process has been pretty scary. I honestly thought it was asthma attacks for years. Not realizing it was SVT. Taking emergency inhalers which probably made it worse… Thanks again! God Bless!🙏🏼

[@JeremyMills]

You got this Tomeeka! I'm excited for your life to improve. Best of luck.

[@lindseyhoover7050]

Guys- Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I’m scheduled for an SVT ablation on May 23, 2022. Listening to your stories made me laugh and validated all my concerns. Everything I am thinking about is all things you guys talked about.

[@JeremyMills]

Best of luck Lindsey! You will do great and it will soon be a distant memory that you will be proud to have overcome.

[@lindseyhoover7050]

@@JeremyMills Thank you! If you are interested, I will follow up and let you know how it went. I am very detailed but I believe I can simplify 😆

[@JeremyMills]

@@lindseyhoover7050 Please do!! I'll put out the good vibes for you as well. [e-mail]

[@olliebeeandme8252]

I’m scheduled for May 26, 2022.

[@melissamorrow8106]

Lindsey, how did your procedure go? My daughter is scheduled to have her SVT ablation tomorrow May 25th 2022. I'm so nervous for her, however I'm ready for this to be behind her. How are you feeling and how did your procedure go?

[@loridoron1783]

Excellent video, and funny too, while I’m deciding on an ablation or an increase in meds. Thx.

[@stacyhartman8749]

Thank you so much guys! My ablation is scheduled for this coming Friday and this video was so helpful!

[@JeremyMills]

Happy to hear this helped. I hope everything went well and you are recovering comfortably!

[@cyaraneel3345]

I have a svt ablation coming up in January. Over stressing of course. Your stories helped extremely as well as everyone’s comments. Thank you for this!!!

[@JeremyMills]

Thanks for watching! Best of luck with your procedure. Relief is on the way.

[@sambronkowitz8198]

Don’t worry, I had mine Jan. 2021 (after living with SVT for 30 years). It has one of the highest success rates of any ablation procedure. You will not regret it … best decision of my life. Be well, happy holidays and enjoy your svt-less future!

[@StephenMesa]

Thanks for sharing this. I watched this leading up to my ablation (suffering from high burden PVCs) at the beginning of this month, and was both scared and excited for the day to come. Hearing a lot of the smaller aspects of the procedure was helpful to know what to expect. I will say though, for others that may be in the same boat, that it seems like ablation procedures can vary a bit not just by the type of ablation, but also by hospital and doctor. My procedure was a bit different than described- I was awake the whole time, but didn't feel much. I also was told not to shave anything ahead of time since you have to wipe down with some sanitizer solution that would sting if you had just shaved. There were some other differences, but my main point to others is that while the procedure will look mostly the same, some of the minor details might be quite different. I've recovered now from the procedure, and am waiting for the 6 week mark to see if the problem is fixed. It's been good so far though! Stay strong everyone that may be reading this, and good luck for your upcoming procedure!!

[@JeremyMills]

Hope you are continuing to heal and feel better than ever!

[@sabrinalu5217]

I just had mine down back on Tuesday, I was not awake at all, no memories. Didn’t feel any flutter after the procedure. But I m still recovering, heart rate was about 107 right after procedure but dropped to around 86 later in , since I got home it has been around the 80 range. Waiting for my heart to heal and see how exactly it worked! In addition, my extra pathway was on the left side while doctor said majority were on the right. At times I debate the decision but I would still get it done if time goes back. Trusting the professionals who had years of training instead of exploring it myself looking for cues.

[@smb2265]

What a crazy set of events. The odds of two friends having the same symptoms and Afib at around the same time are astronomical. My dad and uncle have Afib. I hope it skipped me, but I'm trying to do my research in case my ticker decides to go nuts. Glad you guys are ok

[@JeremyMills]

Thanks for watching! Hope your dad and uncle are doing good.

[@grantdavies6081]

Amazing video, I'm having my procedure this Thursday, December 1st 2022. I laughed along with you guys. Same feelings, the same questions, same worries :) Thanks for sharing!

[@JeremyMills]

Thanks for watching! Best of luck on Thursday. You are about to make yourself very proud.

[@ChelseaSaidTV]

I’m excited for mine. I hate these episodes frfr my pacemaker thinks I’m having a heart attack I had 2 Inappropriate shocks. Since January this year. They hurt so bad. Shocks suck omg.

[@carry_on007]

How's your recovery

[@calktmrider87]

Thank you so much for this conversation.

[@helenadetty7164]

My surgery is on Monday June 19, 2022. Right now sitting at the hospital waiting for some tests to be done before the surgery. Feeling nervous 😟

[@JeremyMills]

You got this! Soon it will be something that you are proud you made it through.

[@Sirach40]

How did your surgery go? Was it painful? Did they put you to sleep

[@blove381]

Thank you so much ! It helps me to know what to expect . My surgery IS August 19th 2022

[@JeremyMills]

Thanks for watching! Glad you are on the path to getting better.

[@mallisa33]

I have mine August 12th

[@JeremyMills]

@@mallisa33 a better life is ahead of you!

[@dannucci9957]

This was very helpful information using a great format. Thanks guys!

[@astrodog5833]

Thank you for such great information. And yes scared too. Very scared, you are both great people to share these stories.

[@JeremyMills]

You got it! You'll be proud of yourself once it's all said and done.

[@adrianacoates1353]

I'm having my ablation on February 8th at 5:30 am. I am terrified. I have really bad anxiety. But I heard people that got it done said it was an easy surgery for them and that they done this tones of time. Im scared to feel the pain. Im 23 years old so I know I will recover better but I still terrified.

[@JeremyMills]

Hi Adriana - I was definitely very nervous leading up to it as well, but I'm so glad that I got it done. You will be proud of yourself, have a fresh outlook on life, and hopefully feel much better when you wake up from surgery and the years after.

[@Richard-ss7dj]

I just had ablation today on Feb 1st. I can totally relate to you guys. I'm only 30 and have been living with A-fib rapid ventricular response since a kid. My BPM gets up in like 250s and I also have a lot of PVCs. When I was younger it was only happening once or twice a year but the past year I'm in hospital once a month almost. finally I started switching hospitals and after about 3 visits to this ER my newest cardiologist from the hospital seen that I have been on 4 different Betta blockers none have worked it's only getting worse and it got too the point I couldnt work these past 6 months I'm spending 4 days a month on average at the hospital so it was really effecting my quality of life. He got me in in 2 weeks for surgery, had it this morning. That operating room is scary especially when it's your first time getting out under and your getting surgery on your heart I was terrified this morning. I'm still having some PVCs and anxiety I was told it takes a few weeks for your heart tissue to heal before you can truly tell if it was successful or not ? Other then that im just sore where they went in both sides on me and sore throat .

[@legarockefeller]

How are you now ?

[@Stevewillson123]

I have to get this done. November 13th. I’m 28. I’m petrified to have this done. I have major anxiety issues because of this.

[@JeremyMills]

I was right there with you Steve. If you feel half as good as I did when I woke up from surgery, it will all be worth it. Sending the best your way.

[@thomasrelang357]

Thank you guys for this, im 29 and will me meeting with an EP soon to discuss an ablation for pvc's. This is definitely important especially for younger people.

[@JeremyMills]

Thomas - best of luck with everything. I'm glad you found this and am wishing the best for you. Reach out anytime [e-mail]

[@RMSx3-hx3po]

I had pvc ablation in 2013, changed my life for better.

[@hwestin0]

did it work out?

[@BeanybabyReborns]

My ablation was today on june 30th 2023 so it was on the 30th also and it was def. A bad situation if you ever want to hear it

[@iwnunn7999]

I felt that sense of peace and love when I came to after the procedure. May have been the drugs but I'd rather think my passed loved ones were with me.

[@JeremyMills]

I'm glad to hear that. Gives hope for the hardest moments in our life

[@OGBenny_Frank]

I just had one Nov 8 I was told I clog in small artery from the branch in my heart.. I still have uncomfortable pain in my left side.. it's not sharp or anything but it's uncomfortable now its January.. first month my anxiety was 100 on scale from 1-10

[@JeremyMills]

OG, sorry to hear about the clog in the artery. Hopefully now that they know it's there they can get you some help for it. That sounds rough.

[@koisangutierrez9756]

I just had my ablation last Friday. You guys were scared imagine going through the whole procedure being wide awake. When they started up my heart it hurt like crazy. I really thought I was having a heart attack.

[@JeremyMills]

Yeah I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Hope you are doing better.

[@flight101]

Are you ok now xx

[@iwnunn7999]

The worst part for me was the sore throat from the breathing tube. It lasted about a week.

[@JeremyMills]

Agreed. I hope I never have to experience that again

[@iwnunn7999]

@@JeremyMills I hope neither of us do

[@iwnunn7999]

U guys from GA? I just had the ablation done at st Joseph's a month ago.

[@lindseyhoover7050]

I’m in PA

[@JeremyMills]

Arizona

[@flight101]

@@JeremyMills Pennsylvania, Georgia I think....

[@blakemoore666]

Were you having irregular heart beats every day before ablation surgery?? I’ve had 5 afib episodes since 2019, I have about 15-20 ectopic beats everyday . Debating on ablation, I have bad anxiety, just wonder if the ectopics will find a way to return if I have ablation surgery if my anxiety never gets any better? Any advise?

[@JeremyMills]

Blake, I'm honestly not sure. I'm guessing I was having them maybe a few times a month, not realizing what they were or what was going on. From what they told me with my situation, it's a really successful procedure percentage wise, but there is a chance that the cells regrow the third electrical point (if that is what you have). I'm still doing great so far and am really thankful I had the procedure. Hopefully you can find some peace and get back to feeling better one way or another.

[@rickyromero8716]

I had an ablation about 1 month ago but I get a lot of skipped heart beats. I am hoping it is part of the process since my heart is still healing from scaring. Do the skipped beats get better over time ?

[@legarockefeller]

How are you now ?

[@rickyromero8716]

@@legarockefeller bro all my skipped beats are completely gone 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 just trust the process and do not let your mind get to you because your mind can also trigger the skipped beats which is crazy. Been post ablation for about 9 months already and no more arrhythmia thanks be to God 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@BayBeast22]

The stuff that freaked me out was when they tied me to the bed before they put me out. Like I was in a execution chair.

[@JeremyMills]

ha yeah I can definitely relate. Hopefully everything is better now.

[@flight101]

Please can i come and stay with you and get my ablation done if i save up the money? I wouldn't be any trouble, I would pay you money for staying because i never eat or ir sets the palpitations off, and im clean and live in the countryside. I have a 5 yr waiting list for the UK and im suicidal with this stuff. Demons.. they are demons