Are my symptoms unusual?

I'm 75 yeas old and have been in good health all my life. I've had 1st degree heart block for approximately 7 years and about 3 months ago while driving, I had a near syncope episode which took me to ER. The EKG showed that my 1st degree HB had converted to 2nd degree HB " Mobitz 1". My symptoms ever since have been dizziness, palpitations, and occasional shortness of breath which are typical, however, I've had episodes of nausea and headaches as well. My EP tells me that these symptoms are not typical of 2nd degree HB. I'm scheduled to have a pacer on Dc, 5th, my question is: any member have had these symptoms and did the pacer took care of it or not. Thanks

7 Comments

Blocks

by Jakle - 2012-11-30 03:11:34

I had syncope with 2nd degree. All depends what you're doing when your heart decides to go slow. If you're sat in a chair you'll feel faint. If you're exercising hard you could black out. Pm sorted me out with 2nd degree inc the dizziness, palpitations and shortness of breath problems you have.

blocks

by abbassbagheri - 2012-11-30 04:11:02

Thank you Jacle:
I'm scheduled to have my PM on Dec, 5th, so... wish me luck.

blocks

by abbassbagheri - 2012-11-30 04:11:19

sorry Jakle, I misspelled your name, my apology!!

MY SYMPTOMS/ BLOCK

by abbassbagheri - 2012-11-30 04:11:20

Thank you Tracey; In the ER I was missing beats every 2 to 5 to 7 beat and my rate was as low as 30 to 50 with recurrent dizziness and nausea .They put me on Telemetry overnight and around 5 AM my rate dropped to 30. My cardiologist and PE recommended PM right away but emotionally I was not ready, this was around Sep,21st. Meanwhile, I had a head MRI which was ok except for chronic sinusitis which I have had for a while. I was then RXed by antibiotics and cortisone, my EENT referred me to a balance specialist for vertigo. She worked with me for almost a month to no avail, my dizziness,palpitations,occasional shortness of breath,nausea and occasional headaches however continued. On my last visit with EP he convinced me that the culprit is my heart even though he said my nausea and headaches are NOT due to the block and pacer might not help.

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-30 07:11:36

Doesn't sound like you're borderline!! 50-60 you can wait and see but you're significantly under that. I found when I got the pm, a bunch of little health problems went away, and I realized I had felt a lot worse than I thought. My energy level skyrocketed, but I was in the low 30's all the time right before surgery so that's not really a surprise. Every time our rates drop, our organs are starved of oxygen.

Headaches and nausea could easily be sinuses!

I had chronic sinusitis for 10 years with flare up infections so often the receptionist at my dr's office knew my voice. I went to a chiropractor for my back. When he adjusted my neck, the sinus problems went away over about a month. 14 years now, no sinus infections, no allergies or migraines anymore either. I still go back every few weeks, adjustments are sort of like changing the oil in your car, they don't last forever. But I'd rather be doing that than suffering and taking meds. It may or may not work as well for you, but can't hurt to try. Worst case it doesn't help.

Good luck! Sounds like your EP is giving you good advice and isn't getting your hopes up unecessarily or jumping into anything. Fingers crossed it takes care of your problems!

blocks

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-30 09:11:20

How low was your hr when you were in the ER? Shortness of breath and dizziness are normal for a block but it would be odd for a second degree block to cause syncopy. It's not at all uncommon to go back and forth between 1st and 2nd degree block. I've never heard of it causing nausea and headaches. I lived with a 3rd degree block until I was 27, dizzy and tired was pretty much my normal by the time I finally quit procrastinating and got the pm. I'm wondering if something else is going on and the block isn't what caused your episode and current symptoms.

Pacing

by abbassbagheri - 2012-12-01 12:12:16

Thank you very much TraceyE,I feel a lot better and more confident.

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