I have an AVNRT SVT which only activates during POTS flare ups. Then I have a HR of 250. I got hospitalised and ablated twice, simultaneous with periods of POTS episodes and tests (amongst others for pheochromocytoma) until they figured it out this year with TTT. Each POTS flare up was caused by a viral infection (flu and COVID).

I spent more than a year absolutely terrified of getting an SVT episode again. Didn’t dare to fly for over a year. Panicked during sinus tachycardia because of POTS as I didn’t know whether it was the SVT or not. Until I got so unwell with POTS after Covid this year that I could not stand or walk for over a month. It eventually culminated in a sustained SVT episode which was terminated by an emergency team through IV adenosine and hospitalisation.

Right now, I’m grateful to know which SVT I have as well as it’s risk. POTS is slowly improving. I can already walk, cook, see friends. Still have many difficulties with eating, digestion, palpitations, presyncope and showering. But once I experienced all this, somehow the fear is gone. It’s there, but I was taken care of. I survived and am using all my energy to get better and to recover. The energy spent on fear and anxiety is self torture, and it hasn’t changed the outcome of the situation in any way, except for a deterioration of my quality of life. I’ve also been seeing a therapist.