New symptoms- any insight?

Hi all,

I have been on this forum on and off (mostly off) for about 3 years following a sudden diagnosis of complete heart block. I am a 25 year old female. I actually didn't receive a pacemaker upon diagnosis, because I did not have many symptoms. Incidentally, I came out of complete block and am currently in first degree with periods of second degree. Over the years I have posted about once a year worrying about some new symptom that has come up, haha, and it looks like it's time for one of those again...

I have been having much more lightheadedness lately, and am trying to determine if it could be arrhythmia related. About 3 hours after a meal I begin feeling very weak, which progresses to feeling very flushed, lightheaded, and if I don't have a snack within another hour or so I honestly am not sure if I can make it across the parking lot to my car without fainting. Initially, I thought this seemed much more blood glucose related, but blood tests came back normal and my doctor is much more concerned about cardiac causes, and is discussing a pacemaker again.

My question is, do these kind of symptoms seem familiar to anyone? Is this something that sounds like it could be due to an arrhythmia in your experience?

Thanks very much in advance!

4 Comments

yes and no

by Tracey_E - 2015-03-09 06:03:10

I had those same symptoms when I needed the pm, however it was not regularly after meals, it was off and on all the time. When you feel faint, do you count your pulse? If it's low, that's a pretty good sign it's cardiac. Other things to look for would be blue nails/lips. That's a sign of lack of oxygen.

Did they do regular blood work, or did they do a glucose tolerance test? GTT will show more about how your body processes sugars.

yes and no

by Tracey_E - 2015-03-09 06:03:14

I had those same symptoms when I needed the pm, however it was not regularly after meals, it was off and on all the time. When you feel faint, do you count your pulse? If it's low, that's a pretty good sign it's cardiac. Other things to look for would be blue nails/lips. That's a sign of lack of oxygen.

Did they do regular blood work, or did they do a glucose tolerance test? GTT will show more about how your body processes sugars.

Pulse

by Roys - 2015-03-09 07:03:33

Hi
Why don't you get yourself a Pulse Oximeter, it cost about $30 and slips on your finger, and will give a reading in less than 10 seconds. I use mine every time I wake up, to make sure I am not in A-Fib. I would not be without one.

Cheers Roy

Thanks

by kdb - 2015-03-10 06:03:53

Thanks for the replies-- it does seem to me to be tied to meals so that is why I was surprised my doctor thought it could be heart related. I guess it's good to cover all bases. Could my underlying arrhythmia and slightly low blood pressure make me more sensitive to this type of thing maybe?

I had my blood glucose tested (random glucose), not oral tolerance. I did also have my thyroid tested (not exactly sure which test) because I am supposed to keep on top of it since I have a family history of thyroid issues. But all of that came up normal, so it must not be too serious? I will just get my heart checked out thoroughly just to be sure I suppose!

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.