[hosierynurse]

Hello, I just found your forum. I am a student nurse, an older student nurse in my mid 20s going back to school. I was recently cardioverted (my first time) and got an experience I won't forget. Have any of you had any heart problems that has interfered with your working as a nurse? Am a little concerned about it.

Kristin

[fsutallyrn]

Hi Kristin, funny that is my name too! I have had heart troubles like you. I began having palpatations that would make me short of breath, and dizzy. I finally captured the rhythm on an EKG ( while I was working) and it was junctional tachycardia. I went to my doctor and then a cardiologist and had a stress test and physical. My case was an AV nodal re-entry tachycardia, which is relatively common in women in their 30's. I was able to have an catheter ablation by an electrophysiologist in the cath lab. The procedure was painless and I only had to stay the night. I have not had an episode since and it has been a year now. What they do is stimulate cells in the atria that are initiating the rhythm and pretty much burn those cells and they become inactive. I do not have to take any medications. It has not affected my ability to work at all. I am not sure if this is the same thing you have. I know another nurse who is in her 20"s who works in our ER and she has an SVT problem as well. she has had an ablation twice and it did not fix hers. She is treated with Toprol XL daily, but she continue to work in the ER, without it affecting her ability to work much either. Hope this information helps, and best of luck to you.

[hosierynurse]

Kristin,

It's nice to hear from another Kristin. )

Did your rhythm problems get bad? What about that younger nurse in the ER? I have gotten to know one nurse at the hospital who said she once worked with a nurse who would have an irregular rhythm and would feel it immediately as it happened and occasionally they would cardiovert her right there and she would go back to work. But said she was an awesome nurse and really didn't miss any work. Which I was glad to hear. I am a big baby when it comes to having things done to me, except I can handle quick pain or discomfort for some immediate relief. Do you have an email address? Please send me a private message.

Kristin.

[SWFloridaCathLabRN]

Hey Kristen, I wish all results were like fsutallyrn. I work in the cath lab (as you can tell my by screen name) and we have an RN that works in our ED who has the same diagnosis as fsutallyrn. She is in her 20's, has been ablated 4 times, is on 5 different meds for her arrythmia (at max dosages) and still will go into her SVT. With that said, she is not the typical response to treatment. Most of our patients have very good results with an ablation.

[sirI]

Thread closed for ventured into the realm of medical advice.

To the OP - yes, you can still work having many types of medical conditions. Please keep in close contact with your PCP regarding your career, treatment, etc.

Good luck!!!!