Deneen’s SVT Journey: Faith, Healing, and a Restored Heart After Overcoming Heart Arrhythmia

Deneen Stevenson, 61, is a devoted mother of four grown children and a deeply spiritual woman who relies on her faith in God to guide her through life’s joys and challenges. Her trust in God has been her anchor, especially during life’s most unpredictable moments.

In the fall of 2022, her faith carried her through an unexpected and life-altering health journey.

The day everything changed

One morning, while working at her desk, Deneen felt an unsettling sensation. "My heart was jumping," she recalls. She experienced a terrible throbbing, and a colleague even pointed out that she didn't look well. Concerned, Deneen called her daughter, who rushed her to urgent care.

At the urgent care center, Deneen lay on an examination table feeling lightheaded as her heart raced uncontrollably. As any worried mother would, she began giving instructions to her daughter to reach out to her siblings and let them know what was happening. The medical staff quickly identified that her vitals were abnormal—her blood pressure was high, her pulse erratic and her ECG irregular. Since her irregular heart rhythm required immediate intervention, they performed chemical cardioversion. This involved administering antiarrhythmic drugs through an IV to stabilize her heart rhythm and lower her heart rate.

“I could feel my heart—that sudden jolt—it was such a strange, quivering sensation as my heart worked to reset itself,” said Deneen. After administering medication to slow her heart rate, it started going down a little bit, but kept fluctuating, so they transferred her by ambulance to Touro’s emergency room.

Upon her admission to Touro, Deneen met cardiac electrophysiologist Dedric Clarke, MD, whose compassionate and thorough approach immediately put her at ease. "When Dr. Clarke speaks, it’s thoughtful and detailed. I knew my heart was in the right hands," she said. Dr. Clarke took the time to explain Deneen’s heart condition and treatment plan, making sure she understood everything.

"He told me, ‘If you don’t understand what’s going on with your body, how will you understand what we need to do?’ That really stuck with me," said Deneen. His nurse practitioner was equally engaged, and together, they served as her "medical professors," explaining each step of the process. "They made sure I knew what would happen if I followed their recommendations—and what would happen if I didn’t," she added. This clear communication and their support gave her confidence that she was in the right hands.

Dr. Clarke had diagnosed Deneen with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a heart arrhythmia caused by faulty electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart. During her episodes, her heart raced up to 160 beats per minute—far above the normal range of 60 to 100 beats.

A procedure of faith and precision

Initially, Deneen was prescribed medication and fitted with a portable cardiac monitor to assess the arrhythmia, but the medications did not resolve her condition. Dr. Clarke recommended an SVT ablation procedure as a more permanent solution.

“SVT ablation is a targeted procedure that eliminates abnormal electrical signals in the heart,” explained Dr. Clarke. “In cases of tachycardia, an additional group of heart cells disrupts the normal rhythm by competing with the sinus node and causing the heart to beat too fast or irregularly. During the procedure, we use an electrophysiology study to identify the specific area of irregular cells. Once located, we apply radiofrequency energy to create a tiny, precise lesion, which stops the abnormal signals and restores a normal heart rhythm. It’s a safe and effective option for treating patients with SVT without the need for surgery.”

To help her visualize, Dr. Clarke drew figures showing what was happening inside her heart. "I told him his drawing wasn’t exactly a masterpiece," Deneen laughed, "but it really helped me understand what was going on, why it was happening, and how the procedure would fix it. He answered all my questions.”

On the day of the procedure, Deneen clutched her rosary tightly, experiencing what she described as a "face-to-faith" moment. Though she was nervous, Dr. Clarke’s calm and reassuring demeanor put her at ease. “Every time I shared my faith, he would always respond with, ‘Amen.’” That simple word brought her the comfort and peace she needed.

The SVT ablation procedure was a success. Deneen stayed overnight in the hospital before returning home, where she was on bed rest for a few days. Dr. Clarke and the Touro cardiology team, including nurse practitioner Shawnette Gaines, went above and beyond to support Deneen’s comfort and recovery.

“They were like my extended family,” Deneen says, adding they affectionately called her "Ms. D." “Dr. Clarke would say, ‘Ms. D, I’ve got your heart in the palm of my hand. Your heart is my responsibility. I need to make sure your heart pumps strong so you can have a long life.’”

Deneen credits the entire team for making her feel cared for every step of the way. From the front desk staff, who greeted her with warmth and professionalism, to the RN who carefully noted her concerns to share with Dr. Clarke, every person played a vital role. “Shawnette, the nurse practitioner, was like a sister to me. She took the time to explain everything ‘woman to woman,’ making sure I understood, and never made me feel rushed. Dr. Clarke would always listen, asking me, ‘What are you feeling? Tell me what's wrong.’ They worked together seamlessly, like a team, and always made me feel supported.”

Continued Care and a Bright Future

Today, Deneen feels as though she never had a heart problem. Dr. Clarke encouraged her to "get back to being Deneen again," advice she has embraced wholeheartedly. She knows the importance of staying vigilant about her heart health, and sees her cardiologist annually to monitor her rhythm, assess her overall health, and address any potential complications early.

According to extensive research on this procedure, the prognosis for SVT ablation patients is excellent, with up to a 95% success rate in eliminating episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. Most patients experience significant symptom improvement and can return to normal activities soon after recovery.

“I’ve changed my lifestyle—I’m walking every day and eating healthier,” said Deneen. “Since the ablation, I’ve had no symptoms and my heart rate is normal. I want to tell anyone going through what I went through: don't be afraid of the SVT ablation. It’s safe, it works, and I’ve never felt better. I have my strength back and no longer have those scary moments when I’d clutch my chest wondering what was happening."

Learn more about the heart and vascular services at Touro visit:
https://www.lcmchealth.org/touro/our-services/heart-vascular-care/about/heart-vascular-team/