Works Cited

1.  Ryan, At Home. Personal photograph by author. 2001. 

2. "Supraventricular Tachycardia." Supraventricular Tachycardia. 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011

3.  "Supraventricular Tachycardia." Health Scribes. 20 Dec. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. 

<http://www.healthscribes.com/disease/Tachycardia, Supraventricular>.

4.  Jerome, Louie. "Common Medical Abbreviations and What They Really Mean." Healthmad. Healthmad, 11 Feb. 2008. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/common-medical-abbreviations-and-what-they-really-mean/>.

5. Staff, Healthwise. "Supraventricular Tachycardia."Sanford Health. Healthwise, 9 Aug 2010. Web. 23 Mar 2011. <http://www.sanfordhealth.org/HealthInformation/Healthwise/Topic/ps1684#ps1687>.

6.  "Morphology Discrimination Criterion Wavelet Improves Rhythm Discrimination in Single-chamber Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillators: Spanish Register of Morphology Discrimination Criterion Wavelet (REMEDIO)." Oxford Journals | Medicine | EP Europace. John Camm, 2 May 2009. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. <http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/content/11/6/727.full>.

7. Blaufox, Andrew. Personal Interview by Kim Eckersley. 9 Mar 2001. 29 Mar 2011. 

8. Blaufox, Andrew. Personal Interview by Kim Eckersley. 9 Mar 2001. 29 Mar 2011. 

9."Misdiagnosis of Supraventricular Tachycardia." Wrong Diagnosis. Wrong Diagnosis, 2005. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. <http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/s/supraventricular_tachycardia/misdiag.htm>. 

10. Campbell, R.W. F. "What Happens To People With Supraventricular Tachycardia?" European Heat Journal (1994): 27-30. Print. 

11. Ryan, Formal Picture Taken. Personal photograph by author. 2001. 

12. "Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)." Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 1995. Web. 5 Apr 2011. <http://www.childrens-mercy.org/Content/view.aspx?id=5189>. 

13.  "Supraventricular Tachycardia Symptoms : Learning Center on Healthline.com." Medical Information for Healthy Living | Healthline. Health Line, 2005. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. <http://www.healthline.com/channel/paroxysmal-supraventricular-tachycardia-pvst_symptoms>. 

14. Fishel, Robert S. "SVT Ablation." Heart Rhythm Center. 2006. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. <http://www.heartrhythmcenter.com/myweb2/svt_ablation.htm>.

15.  "Supraventricular Tachycardia-Overview." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web MD, 17 Sept. 2008. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/supraventricular-tachycardia-overview>.

16. Ryan, School. Personal photograph by author. 2003. 

17. Ryan and Lauren, Home. Personal photograph by author. 2001. 

18. Ryan, Lauren, and Granddaddy, In the Yard. Personal photograph by author. 2002. 

19. Ryan and Lauren, Home. Personal photograph by author. 2002. 

20. Ryan on the counter, Home. Personal photograph by author. 2003. 

21. Ryan brushing his teeth, Home. Personal photograph by author. 2003.

Reflection Paragraph on Sources

When I first started researching my topic, I was unsure of how much reliable information I would find. Although, as my research progressed finding information on my topic, Supraventricular Tachycardia, was easy because I had many good and useful sources. My most useful and used sources were Mayo Clinic, Web MD, and Dr. Andrew Blaufox. The two websites had current, useful, and trustworthy information for my blog. Dr. Andrew Blaufox is Ryan’s cardiologist and the information that we received from him, I made sure to use in my blog because it related directly to Ryan and I knew he could be trusted. There were many websites that were untrustworthy and the information was obviously incorrect. Those websites were people’s opinion on what Supraventricular Tachycardia is not doctors or hospitals’ information. So, I knew that those websites could not be trusted or used. I am pleased with the amount of information and research that I found and completed on my topic; it was all very helpful.  

Reflection Paragraph on Process

During this project, I felt accomplished and relieved from finding out all of the information that I did on Supraventricular Tachycardia. Doing all of this research took me back to the day Ryan was born and when he was a baby; it was a very emotional project for my family and I. It was easy to find all of the research and be interested in my topic, but it was difficult reading and understanding all of the research because of how it relates to Ryan. I enjoyed the whole process of my blog; there was not anything I disliked. If I had to do this project again, I would definitely choose this topic. There is not anything that I would do differently because I was happy with the finished outcome. My family and I had many questions about this heart condition, but never got answers. Doing this I-Sear Blog has helped answer our questions and given us some comfort. 

Wordle #2 Based on Topic Key Terms

 I chose these twenty five words because just by looking at them, they tell you what Supraventricular Tachycardia is about. Throughout all of my research, I saw these words everywhere. I made the word “heart” the biggest because SVT is a heart condition. I also included the symptoms and the parts of the heart that SVT affects.

Reflection Paragraph on Findings

When I first started this blog, I had many questions that I desperately needed answers to. One month later, I am reaching the end of my blog, and I have found answers to my questions. Throughout this process, I have learned new, surprising information about Supraventricular Tachycardia. When my brother was born and diagnosed with SVT, I was only six and did not know much about his heart condition. As I got older, I became really curious about Ryan’s disease. I was unsure of what it was, why it was so scary to my family and him, and the affects it had on him. I was a little bit shocked to find out that SVT was most common in children; it has been known for babies to be diagnosed with SVT in the womb. All of my questions were answered and I now have a better understanding on Supraventricular Tachycardia. Now that I do have a better understanding, I am not as scared and in the unknown. Ryan and my family are very proud that I took the initiative to research SVT and based my blog on Ryan’s heart condition.

Finding Paragraph #3

Ryan’s doctor, Dr. Blaufox, informed my mother and father that, “A teenager would think they are tired from the exertion of hours of team practice, but then find it was the early symptoms of SVT.” (Dr. Blaufox) Supraventricular Tachycardia is misdiagnosed all the time because children, teens, and adults do not realize that the symptoms of SVT are the same as if someone was just tired or had a fast heart rate. They think nothing of their symptoms, so they do not go see a doctor. According to Wrong Diagnosis, “Supraventricular Tachycardia is often easily misdiagnosed from an electrocardiogram, which measure heart activity.” (Wrong Diagnosis) According to Oxford Journals, “Supraventricular Tachycardia interferes with the quality of life.” (Oxford Journals) SVT prohibits people from participating in athletics, joining the military, joining the police force, and eating and drinking sugar and caffeine. These restrictions have a major affect on people’s lives and dreams. 

Blaufox, Andrew. Personal Interview by Kim Eckersley. 9 Mar 2001. 29 Mar 2011.

"Misdiagnosis of Supraventricular Tachycardia." Wrong Diagnosis. Wrong Diagnosis, 2005. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. <http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/s/supraventricular_tachycardia/misdiag.htm>.

Campbell, R.W. F. "What Happens To People With Supraventricular Tachycardia?" European Heat Journal (1994): 27-30. Print.

Finding Paragraph #2

On one of my previous posts, I asked you the question, “How would you feel, emotionally and physically, if you had SVT?” Now that I have provided you with the facts and research on Supraventricular Tachycardia, can you answer my question? It is hard to answer the question, I know, I have tried. Living with Ryan has shown me first hand that SVT victims may have this heart condition, but they are still normal people that live normal lives. Just by looking at the picture of Ryan that is provided, “You would not be able to tell that he has a heart condition.” (Lauren Eckersley) According to Health Line, “SVT does have a major affect on its victims mentally. People with SVT mentally deal with anxiety, depression, and stress. They also deal with physical problems, such as dizziness, fainting, palpitations, weaknesses, chest pains, and lightheadedness.” (Health Line) One of my other questions was, “How does SVT affect you as a child, teen, and as an adult?” According to Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics, “It affects each stage of a person’s life differently.” (Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics) As a child, they are unable to tell you when something is wrong; therefore, the parent or guardian has to monitor the child frequently. As a teenager, they are prone to have more attacks because they are getting used to their body changing, peer pressure, and hormones. As an adult, having an attack could kill them instantly because the heart is getting old and unable to handle the attack.

Ryan, Formal Picture Taken. Personal photograph by author. 2001.

"Supraventricular Tachycardia Symptoms : Learning Center on Healthline.com." Medical Information for Healthy Living | Healthline. Health Line, 2005. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. <http://www.healthline.com/channel/paroxysmal-supraventricular-tachycardia-pvst_symptoms>.

"Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)." Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 1995. Web. 5 Apr 2011. <http://www.childrens-mercy.org/Content/view.aspx?id=5189>.

Finding Paragraph #1

I started this blog not knowing much about Supraventricular Tachycardia. Having a brother with SVT made me want to know more about this heart condition. One of my main questions was, “What is SVT?” After researching, I found that SVT is a heart rhythm disorder. According to Dr. Fishel, who is a specialist in catheter ablations of all cardiac arrhythmias in Florida stated that, "SVT is a rhythm disorder that involves the upper chambers of the heart. SVT is the result of an abnormal region of electrical conduction in one of the two upper chambers of the heart. This extra nerve causes the normal electrical impulses in the heart to travel in a circle between the normal electrical system and the extra nerve. The heart basically shorts out during an episode of SVT." (Dr. Fishel) After Ryan was born, his doctor, Dr. Blaufox informed my mother and father that "Supraventricular Tachycardia was extremely common and its victims could be any age." (Dr. Blaufox) I went on Web MD to research more about this heart condition and found a tremendous amount of helpful information. They informed me that, "A normal heart beat is about one hundred beats per minute, but when someone experiences an SVT attack, their heart rate gets really fast. An SVT victim’s heart beat on average can reach up to three hundred beats per minute." (Web MD)

Fishel, Robert S. "SVT Ablation." Heart Rhythm Center. 2006. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. <http://www.heartrhythmcenter.com/myweb2/svt_ablation.htm>.

Blaufox, Andrew. Personal Interview by Kim Eckersley. 9 Mar 2001. 29 Mar 2011.

"Supraventricular Tachycardia-Overview." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web MD, 17 Sept. 2008. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/supraventricular-tachycardia-overview>.

Attention!

I wanted to let you all know that I have a new question for my blog. My new question is, "How often is Supraventricular Tachycardia misdiagnosed? What are the results from misdiagnosis?"

Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #5

“A teenager would think they are tired from the exertion of hours of team practice, but then find it was the early symptoms of SVT. The emotional rollercoaster a teenager goes on through those pubescent years, they see that more issues will spring up. The emotional aspect plays a major role.”

 My brother’s doctor, Dr. Andrew Blaufox, told my family and I that as Ryan got older and went through his pubescent years, he would experience some ups and downs with his heart condition. As with all teenagers, the hormones are going crazy on the inside, which involves the emotions. Along with the raging hormones, there is the peer pressure and fitting in that comes with being a teenager, which adds to the emotional stress. Emotional stress is a main cause of an SVT attack during those adolescent years. Dr. Blaufox sat my parents down and told them everything that they needed to know about SVT and Ryan’s specific case. From what the doctor had told us, we knew that Ryan would be different; a special kind of different. Already, at an early age, he feels left out sometimes because he is limited to what he can do. We have had to sit him down and explain to him his situation and he understands to some extent. He had dreams of joining the police force, but we had to tell him he could not. He had dreams of joining the military, but we had to tell him he could not. Ryan’s situation is not very different from many others. There are people out there, right now, that have SVT and are not even aware. They are strongly urged to get tests run before it is too late.

Blaufox, Andrew. Personal Interview by Kim Eckersley. 9 Mar 2001. 29 Mar 2011.

Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #4

“Some children that are diagnosed with SVT at birth grow up to play some sports and the parents feel that it is okay because they have not had an attack in recent years. But, with SVT, an attack can come on at any time. Emotional stress and physical activities, as in strenuous athletics in high school, cause SVT attacks. As a doctor, I do not recommend these types of athletic programs.

I may have been only six years old, but with what I experienced with Ryan, it was hard to forget everything that was said and done. Ryan’s doctor, Dr. Andrew Blaufox, was extremely supportive and was always there to answer any questions that my family and I had. One of our main concerns was that with Ryan being a boy, he was going to want to play sports and be “rough and rowdy.” All little boys are mischievous and always into something. Dr. Blaufox gave us his medical opinion that Ryan should not play sports, but he is to stay healthy. His medical opinion for Ryan applies to all victims of SVT. Whether the victim is a child, a teenager, or an adult, it is important for them not to participate in strenuous physical activities. The strenuous physical activities put a strain on the heart and make it go into SVT, which causes an attack and cardiac arrest; cardiac arrest, if not tended to immediately and properly, will lead to death.

Blaufox, Andrew. Personal Interview by Kim Eckersley. 9 Mar 2001. 29 Mar 2011.

Graph/Chart/Map and Citation

This graph shows Supraventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Tachycardia cycle lengths. It shows the number of episodes during the cycle lengths in both types of Tachycardia. TP stands for true positive and SVT, while TN stands for true negative and is VT. The higher the cycle length, the higher the number of episodes an SVT victim has. 

"Morphology Discrimination Criterion Wavelet Improves Rhythm Discrimination in Single-chamber Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillators: Spanish Register of Morphology Discrimination Criterion Wavelet (REMEDIO)." Oxford Journals | Medicine | EP Europace. John Camm, 2 May 2009. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. <http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/content/11/6/727.full>.

Quote, Summary, Source Analysis, and Citation #3

"To find your triggers, keep a diary of your heart rate and your symptoms."

I chose this quote because each person is different. The symptoms are all the same, but what brings on the symptoms and the attacks can differ depending on the person. For example, if someone that has SVT drinks a small amount of alcohol and is perfectly fine, that does not necessarily mean that someone else with SVT will be perfectly fine with drinking a small amount of alcohol. It is important to keep a diary or a journal to record your day to day routines, so that you can keep up with your symptoms, your heart rate, and your attacks. If you record your symptoms, your heart rate, and your attacks properly, you will know what your triggers are. Once you know what your triggers are, you can avoid them as much as possible. It is essential that a victim of Supraventricular Tachycardia keep a diary or journal; it will benefit them significantly.

Staff, Healthwise. "Supraventricular Tachycardia."Sanford Health. Healthwise, 9 Aug 2010. Web. 23 Mar 2011. <http://www.sanfordhealth.org/HealthInformation/Healthwise/Topic/ps1684#ps1687>.

Photo, Caption, and Citation #3

This picture is of a doctor giving an ECG test with an ECG machine to a patient. ECG stands for Echocardiogram, which is a test where an ultrasound is used to examine the heart. It gives accurate measurements of the chambers in the heart and displays a cross-sectional “slice” of the beating heart, including the chambers, valves, and the major blood vessels that exit from the left and right ventricles. They use ECG tests to monitor the heart when the patient has a heart condition or heart disease, such as SVT.

Jerome, Louie. "Common Medical Abbreviations and What They Really Mean." Healthmad. Healthmad, 11 Feb. 2008. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/common-medical-abbreviations-and-what-they-really-mean/>.

Quote, Summary, Source Analysis, and Citation #2

“Inadequate blood supply to the body tissues may lead to a general feeling of weakness.”

Victims of Supraventricular Tachycardia suffer from many symptoms. One of their symptoms is palpitations, which is when your heart beats irregularly and forcefully. With having SVT, the palpitations are fast and are very strong. When the palpitations are happening, the heart begins pumping faster and faster. Because the heart is pumping so fast, the blood is pumped through the body too quickly. When the blood is pumped through the body too quickly, the tissues in the body are not receiving enough of the blood; the amount of blood circulating that is being pumped is uneven. Since not enough blood is reaching all of the tissues in the body, the person begins feeling weak. A general feeling of weakness is a result from all of the symptoms that SVT victims suffer from; such as lightheadedness, dizziness, chest pains, shortness of breath, and anxiety.

"Supraventricular Tachycardia." Health Scribes. 20 Dec. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.healthscribes.com/disease/Tachycardia, Supraventricular>.

Photo, Caption, and Citation #2

This is a picture of a baby with Supraventricular Tachycardia. A doctor is checking his heart with a stethoscope. Even babies that are born with this heart condition are in and out of the hospital and being monitored every minute of every day. Since babies cannot talk and tell you what is wrong with them, it is very important that they receive the proper treatment and doctor services.

"Supraventricular Tachycardia." Medical Images. 2009. Web. 22 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uiyskjNZYt8/TBLUsmiHVkI/AAAAAAAABt0/lHQG6r5krMM/s1600/ExamINE%2BTHE%2BBaby.jpg&imgrefurl=http://medipptx.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html&usg>.

Quote, Summary, Source Analysis, and Citation #1

"Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) means that from time to time your heart beats very fast for a reason other than exercise, high fever, or stress."

This article is an overview of Supraventricular Tachycardia. SVT is when the heart's electrical system does not work correctly, instead it beats really fast. The quote that I chose from the article is, "Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) means that from time to time your heart beats very fast for a reason other than exercise, high fever, or stress." I chose this quote because sometimes people think that they can get SVT from running a high fever or stress, but that is not necessarily the case. This heart condition is caused by faulty electrical connections in the heart. A normal heart beats sixty to one hundred times a minute, but when an SVT attack comes on, your heart will beat between one hundred and three hundred times a minute. The symptoms that come along with it are palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pains, and heart racing. To treat SVT, when an attack comes on, your doctor can prescribe you a medicine to help or you can perform vagal maneuvers.

"Supraventricular Tachycardia-Overview." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web MD, 17 Sept. 2008. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/supraventricular-tachycardia-overview>.

Photo, Caption, and Citation #1

This picture shows where Supraventricular Tachycardia affects each part of the heart. The human heart is a muscle that pumps blood to all of the tissues of the body. SVT affects the four chambers of the heart, which are the left and right atrias, the left and right ventriculars, and the whole lower portion of the heart.

"Google Image Result for Http://www.health-writings.com/img/bq/and-paroxysmal-supraventricular-tachycardia/heartxsection.gif." SVT Heart. 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.health-writings.com/img/bq/and-paroxysmal-supraventricular-tachycardia/heartxsection.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.health-writings.com/paroxysmal-supraventricular-tachycardia_>. 

Wordle #1 Based On One Useful Site

My wordle was taken from an article about Supraventricular Tachycardia and the affects it has on the body and how most people do not know they have SVT until much later in life. The words in my wordle represent the article perfectly because each word is self explanatory about this heart condition.

"Supraventricular Tachycardia." Supraventricular Tachycardia. 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.

Preliminary Links and Descriptions

http://ic.galegroup.com.wf2dnvr16.webfeat.org/ic/ovic/MagazinesDetailsPage/MagazinesDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Magazines&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CA209536263&mode=view

On this web site, I learned that there are other cases of SVT and sometimes the people do not even know that they have this heart condition. It is not common in athletes, but it is triggered through exercise. Michael Gollob, a cardiac electro physiologist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, said, “In many cases, the extra circuit never becomes active. But when it does, the rhythm will go very rapidly, using the normal electric circuit with the extra circuit. Listen to your body. If you detect abnormal heart rhythms, that's worth seeing your physician for an evaluation."

http://infotrac.galegroup.com.wf2dnvr9.webfeat.org/k12/infomark/803/638/147084903w16/purl=rc1_K12J_0_A241604744&dyn=4!xrn_2_0_A241604744


On this web site, I learned that the most common types of Supraventricular Tachycardia are caused by a reentry phenomenon producing accelerated heart rates. Symptoms are palpitations, chest pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, and dyspenea. It is unusual for SVT to be caused by structurally abnormal hearts. Diagnosis is sometimes postponed because of  the misdiagnosis of anxiety or panic disorder.

http://galenet.galegroup.com.wf2dnvr2.webfeat.org/servlet/BCRC?vrsn=unknown&locID=scschools&srchtp=art&c=11&ste=21&tab=2&tbst=tsAS&atp=KE&docNum=A142858888&art=Supraventricular+tachycardia&bConts=0

On this web site, I learned that medical experts always offer to help their patients with managing SVT. They put into consideration SVT’s causes and symptoms when helping their patients. They recommend advanced cardiac life support guidelines. That includes assessing the patient’s level of consciousness, breathing, circulation, the supplemental oxygen, and making sure the patient has adequate I.V. access.

http://galenet.galegroup.com.wf2dnvr2.webfeat.org/servlet/BCRC?vrsn=unknown&locID=scschools&srchtp=art&c=7&ste=21&tab=2&tbst=tsAS&atp=KE&docNum=A190883882&art=Supraventricular+tachycardia&bConts=0

On this web site, I learned that SVT includes all forms of tachycardia. They either arise above the bifurcation of the bundle or have mechanisms dependent on the bundle. In patients with SVT, the heart rate is at least one hundred beats per minute, but ventricular rates can be lower as a result of atrioventricular block. The three most common forms of SVT are AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, AV reentrant tachycardia, and atrial tachycardia. 

Animoto Based On Search Questions

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

What I Want To Know About My Topic

What if you had Supraventricular Tachycardia? How would you feel, what would you do? Think about those questions and try to answer them. Having trouble? I have difficulties answering those questions myself. Even though my little brother has SVT, I do not have the slightest idea what he goes through emotionally or physically. Until you are in that situation, you do not have any idea how you would feel or what you would do. When I first began brainstorming about this blog, I thought about all of the effects this heart condition has had on Ryan and the many other victims of SVT. I want to know how it affects them as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult. With having SVT each stage of their lives is an obstacle they have to get through one day at a time. Some days may be harder than others, but they get through them. This heart condition limits their hobbies, what they can eat and drink, and even what they want to be when they grow up.  SVT affects every aspect of these individual’s lives. What if you were told that you could not participate in your favorite hobbies? What if you were told what you could and could not eat and drink? What if you were told that your biggest dreams in life would never come true? Once again, you do not know; you may never know. By witnessing or hearing about what they go through and how SVT affects them, emotionally and physically, maybe you will have some knowledge and opinion about this heart condition and the numerous victims it encounters every day; even be able to somewhat answer my questions. The questions I am in desperate need to find answers to. 

What I Already Know About My Topic

Ryan was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) at birth. SVT is one type of heart rhythm disorder; the heart beats faster than normal. It is located above the ventricles and originates from the atria, which is the upper chambers of the heart. Within the heart, we have one node that speeds up the heart rate and then another node that slows down the heart rate. In this case, the best description is that our heart works like a clock. A continuous cycle of speeding up and the next node slowing it down, which creates a rhythm. In Ryan’s particular case, he has an extra passageway and by taking Sotolol since birth, this keeps the extra passageway dormant. By monitoring his intake of caffeine, such as soft drinks and chocolate, as well as, certain cold medications, we have been able to keep his attacks down to a minimum. Although the attacks are few, there is always the possibility of an attack at any time. My mother has found that once an attack begins, if talking calmly to Ryan and having him to take deep breathes and breath out slowly does not help slow it down, then a bag of ice from the freezer laid across his eyes will drop the heart rate enough to get him to the hospital before going into cardiac arrest. Within our family, several relatives have found out in their forties and fifties that they have this same heart condition, but it has remained dormant until that stage in their life. They never understood why they were so tired and out of breath so easily. With modern technology, more people are finding out earlier, which means it could save their lives.

The Story Behind My Topic

For ten years now, I have been living with a victim of Supraventricular Tachycardia. My little brother, Ryan, is living proof that there is a God and that miracles do happen every day. When Ryan was born, he was immediately air lifted to MUSC Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. While in flight, they lost him, but the paramedics brought him back. After numerous tests were run, he was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia. Heart conditions run in our family, but hearing the news was still devastating. Sitting in the MUSC waiting room with my Dad and my Mimi, while my Mom lay in a hospital bed in Conway Hospital and my little brother lay in an incubator in MUSC Hospital, the realization that I could lose my mother and my brother all at once hit me. Not knowing what was going to happen, if they would live or die, and not fully understanding the situation was all too much for a six year old little girl to handle. I am writing this blog so people that have family members or friends with SVT know that they are not alone and know that there is always hope. I also want to dedicate this to my family and to Ryan. He is my little brother, a miracle… my inspiration.

Ryan, At Home. Personal photograph by author. 2001.