Shortness of breath

Hi--my husband, who had bypass surgery in '89 and stents since, presented (pretty precipitously) with lightheadedness and shortness of breath; went to ER to find that his heart rate was consistently in the 40s (due, in part, to cardiac/BP meds to keep his rate down in the 50s anyway--he also has had afib). Decision was made to get a pacemaker, which he got nearly 2 wks. ago. Nothing changed. He went back, per Dr.'s instructions, to ER a couple of days ago--they did echocardiogram which was unremarkable, but reprogrammed his pacer to a faster rate as well as eliminated his Norvasc and cut his Imdur (long-acting nitro) by 2/3. The lightheadedness has abated, but the SOB hasn't changed and is quite distressing to him. He has no fluid retention.
His mother and sister had PPH but they do not see any signs of that; they also both had pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (his mother was a smoker, but not his sister). Does it take a while for the reprogrammed pacer to change existing symptoms? He sees his doc again in another week. I would appreciate any input!

2 Comments

SOB...

by alicia6650 - 2013-08-14 03:08:14

I have been told to generally give the change a week.

Also, he could have shortness of breath because the srugery is still fresh. I know from my implantations that for a while after taking a deep breath is painful. I also found that I was generally compensating for the pain in my shoulder somy posture and everything was off, so I felt a tightness in my chest and breathing felt a little labored. Maybe he will start to feel better once 1- his body adjusts to the new intake/output from his heart, 1- his heart adjusts to being mechanically controlled, and 3- when he gets a little further into his recovery.

Husband's SOB

by SMITTY - 2013-08-14 06:08:54

Hello Jaron,

I've had a PM since 2000 and had many checkups with and without changes in the PM settings. When beneficial changes were made I could see the results in 30 minutes or less.

Your husband's and my heart disease experience are quite similar, except I got an earlier start than he did. I had a quadruple bypass in 1982. Then, since getting the PM I have added 4 stents to the mix, with the last one being added in '09. I added congestive heart failure to the SOB problems some years ago with COPD being added about 4 years ago. As the years go by and I get older (I'm now 84) my SOB gets worse which the dr attributes mostly to CHF, but with COPD being a player in the problem. My last Echo showed an ejection fraction in the upper 30s. Some people get a bivent PM when their EF gets in that range but because of my age (I guess) that subject is not longer mentioned.

Now that I've told you how to build the clock let me see if I can give you a hint as to the time.

You mentioned Norvasc, which is a calcium channel blocker, being discontinued. I took a CCB (Diltiazem) for several years for high BP but it never caused me a low heart rate problem. I tried various beta blockers at different times and they all lowered my HR to unacceptable levels even with the PM, so I no longer take them. I have tried, at different times, several of the so called long-term nitros but the headaches they cause are too much so I rely on the little pill for angina control. Fortunately for me I don't have to use them very often.

All I can suggest for your hubby is to lean hard, if necessary, on the dr for the help he needs. Also, see what his ejection fraction may be. If he has a low EF which will cause SOB there may be help out there for him on that. My help, which I wouldn't wish on him, or anybody, is an O2 bottle or O2 concentrator. One last word and I'll stop this babble. Part of my current SOB problem is due to lack of physical conditioning. I developed a back problem about 2 years ago that severely limits my physical activity so poor physical conditioning plays a big role in my problem.

But from what you tell us I think there is help out there for your husband. All he has to do (which may be the biggest job of all) is find it.

Good luck,

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

Member Quotes

Yesterday I moved to a new place in my mind and realized how bad I felt 'before' and the difference my pacemaker has made.