I’ve spent probably the last six months contemplating another procedure. I’ve had multiple procedures, and I am honestly done. But I figured an ablation would be the next best thing. I am so thankful for medications, but the side effects can knock you down. 

All I dream of is taking my kids to the park, and being able to play. I don’t want to have to make them leave early because my heart rate is 180 and I feel as if I’m going to pass out. 

I want to be able to walk up the stairs without seeing stars. 

I want to be able to stand without my heart rate skyrocketing, or be able to grocery shop without being out of breath. 

These are things I literally dream of doing. 

When I was diagnosed at 18 with ‘Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia’, the doctor told me there was only one procedure specifically for this condition and it was too risky and was not worth it. He said it would leave me with a pacemaker and that it would not fix my problems. In his eyes, there was no possibility of success.

I forgot about that procedure and over the years I’ve seen many cardiologists. My heart history is complex, and so currently I see an electrophysiologist who tackles my heart issues from all angles. He is the only doctor that has ever truly listened and not just thrown medication at me and then send me on my way. 

He has performed three of my procedures. 

Currently my heart issues are rarely coming from the electrical connections (SVT) anymore. Thankfully my last ablation back in 2019 really helped lower those episodes. My main issue is stemming from my sinus node (natural pacemaker) not working properly. Basically it’s in overdrive and my heart does not know how to ‘pace’ itself normally.

I’ve had this issue since the beginning, but my SVT was always ‘louder’ I guess you’d say, so we always aimed at fixing that issue. Mainly because that surgery is typically successful.

After 8 years of trying all different medications and three procedures, I am ready to take the next step and have a Sinus Node Modification.

Instead of focusing on a specific electrical pathway, they’ll be tackling my entire heart as a whole (reducing the ability for my natural pacemaker to beat too fast).

It’s risky because if they ablate too much, I’ll need an artificial pacemaker. If they do not ablate enough, then the procedure will be unsuccessful and we will be back to where we started.

I have full trust in my cardiologist and I know that he wouldn’t do the procedure if he didn’t agree this was the next step, but I am nervous. Even if the surgery does not work like we hope, I’ll be happy I tried everything in my power to have a healthier heart.

But I am also hopeful. I’ve had a wild heart for so long and I am ready for it to calm down, so I can run freely with my kids and enjoy life a little more.