Blood flood problems during exercise

Hello all:

I am paced 100% of the time due to complete heart block.

After continued problems with low heart rate during exercise, my cardiologist upped my settings: most sensitive rate response and 165 bpm.

My heart rate went up to its proper rate during exercise, but I began to experience burning chest discomfort while running.

An angiogram appeared normal. However, a nuclear stress test showed problems with blood flow during exercise.

As a result, I just began the following medications: 5 mg of Norvasc and 2.5 mg of Lisinopril.

Hopefully this will correct the problem. Only time will tell, as the doc said these meds will take a week or two to take effect.

Note: I have low cholestrol and normal blood pressure.

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks,

Syd

6 Comments

Curious

by Creaky - 2012-08-04 04:08:13

These are both blood pressure meds. They might be prescribed to relax your arteries even though your bp is normal. Did they explain the rationale?

Blood pressure meds

by PEteacher - 2012-08-04 04:08:34

My cardiologist said the meds would relax the arteries and improve blood flow which he thinks is causing the angina and accompanying shortness of breath.

heart rate going down during exercise

by ldebaugh - 2012-08-05 03:08:29

Yes, I have the lowered heart rate during exercise and I have complained about it, had my PM adjusted about 6 times in the last 6 months. Then i had a treadmill pacer test with the cardiologist and St. Jude tech in the room. My O2 went down and my heart rate went down when it should have been going up. The diagnosis is pacemaker syndrome. Read up on it on Medscape. I'm scheduled for more follow up but what was preliminarily said is that I need another ablation for atrial flutter and a different pacemaker, one with 3 leads to pace the atrium related to the pacemaker syndrome.

I have proven to be very intolerant of beta blockers and most heart meds--I have very severe reactions. If you can take drugs to fix it, great. Hope you have a good diagnosis.
M'Liz

Re: Treadmill tests for settings

by PEteacher - 2012-08-06 12:08:28

I have asked my cardiologist a number of times about treadmill tests for setting and he claims it isn't necessary.

I'm still convinced that my problems lie in the settings because the chest discomfort only arose after the last change.

I called Medtronic and they said that they don't offer those services.

It's very interesting that St. Jude does.

Thanks,

Syd

Hi Syd

by IAN MC - 2012-08-09 05:08:32

I was interested that blood flow seems to have been causing your exercise problems. Did you Dr give you any more details.

Was it a case of your heart chambers not emptying properly or leakage around the heart valves?

I ask because I intuitively feel that I may have blood flow problems when I try to exercise at a high level.

Best wishes

Ian

Blood flow

by PEteacher - 2012-08-09 06:08:16

Hi Ian,

Unfortunately my Dr told me, by phone, that there were blood flow problems with exercise that the angiogram didn't show; and that the meds would "relax" the arteries and correct the issue.

He then went on vacation until the end of the month.

I have an appointment to see him on 8/29. Hopefully I will get more information then.

This whole situation has been very frustrating to say the least.....

Thanks,

Syd

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