question regarding hr setting

just had my icd implant on 9/5/13 and one day i feel okay and the next i have a hard time even getting up off the coach. As noted before, I have been a triathlete for the past 10 years and a runner for the past 23 years.

So here is the question...my resting heart rate has always (for the past 20 years) been in the low to mid 40's, now it is set (since the implant) at 60. Does anyone know if this could be the culprit possibly for being so tired. I am also on beta blockers...

thanks guys!
j

4 Comments

thanks!

by jackiem44 - 2013-09-11 08:09:22

thanks guys for your response. I have a visit scheduled for Tuesday 9/17, so will advise his response. After a phone call with the Dr today, he reduced my betablockers dosage, so perhaps this wil help...

thanks again...will keep you guys posted!
j

In the same boat...

by PacerGirl81 - 2013-09-11 10:09:22

Hi,
I had my first PM put in on 7/31, so I'm still getting used to it, too.
I would say that just having the procedure done would make you feel tired, since you're body is healing itself. I had the same issue, still tired.
My HR was in the low to mid 30's (down to as low as 28bpm), so they set mine at 60, like yours. Haven't noticed an increase in my energy, either...still feeling drained.
Maybe the rate isn't high enough? Have you talked to your dr about increasing it? I know slow HR = low oxygen to the brain and body, which can possibly make you feel tired.

May need adjustments

by gleesue - 2013-09-11 12:09:08

I don’t think a setting of 60 is going to make you tired. Normal heart rate is 60 – 100 bpm so 60 is in the right range. I’m very active, bike, lift weights, tennis, coach soccer etc. and my normal heart rate is 50-60. However, after PM implant they set it to 60 and it just didn’t feel right. They lowered it to 50 and I felt a lot better. Because I’m so active I had to go back for adjustments three time before they got it right. As a matter of fact, the last time I went in for a checkup the tech even said, “You must be very active because I can tell by how they have your PM set.” So there are a lot of adjustments they can make to help you feel better.

Give it a little time, see if you might need some adjustments. I’m back at doing everything I always did and feel great.

Good luck.

Jerry

Fatigue

by SMITTY - 2013-09-11 12:09:24

Hello Jackiem44,

Of course I'm guessing, but I'll put my money on the beta blockers as being the cause of the fatigue. That is based on my experience with them. The dr. tried me on more than a half dozen different ones before he finally said "Mr. Smith you simply cannot tolerate beta blockers." I must add here, That was my experience with beta blockers, but not everyone has the same experience.

My Pm was a few years old and I had developed arrhythmia. The BB slowed my heart rate but the PM kept that from being a problem and they did reduce the arrhythmia, but didn't stop it completely.

I am now taking digoxin which takes care of about half, maybe a little more, of the arrhythmia and I ignore the rest.

Why are you taking the beta blocker? Were you on it before the PM? Just curious. Of course a talk with your dr. is in your future.

Good luck,

Smitty

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