AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
Question My cardiologist thinks I may be having an exercise induced SVT. He said my heart is very normal and healthy..only slight MVP with very mild leakage. He said it is not life-threatening and I will not die from it. The episodes feel very scary to me and sometimes I feel short of breath and lightheaded when I get them after exercise. Is it normal to feel that way with an episode of SVT? I am so afraid of falling over dead. I am afraid to exercise now, because I don't want to induce an episode. What can you tell me about SVT?
Answer Gina, it's normal to feel lightheaded and short of breath during SVT. You will not fall over dead or die slowly either because of SVT. If the episodes are frequent with exercise, ask the doctor about taking a pill before exercise. Flecaiide is my favorite, pretty effective in preventing SVT and safe for someone with normal echo.
Write back any time, and pease let me know what you decide to do and how well it works.
