adjusting my pacemaker

I had my St Jude pacemaker put in about 3 weeks ago and everything went well. When I left the Hosiptal my pacemaker was set at 60. After a couple of weeks I went in to get my pacemaker checked and everything looked go. I request that my pacemaker be increased from 60 to 65 because I felt like my energy level was a little low and it made a difference. However it now seems my blood pressure has dropped from 118/74 to as low as 94/65. Im a little worried and again could this be because of the adjustmefnt of my heart rate of my pacemaker or could it be the medcine I am taking. By the way I was a smoker up until 9 month ago and then noticed my blood pressure was going down by itself. Please help

6 Comments

Thoughts

by SparkyNoel - 2014-03-12 10:03:50

Several things come to mind...are you feeling better with your rate change? Have you increased your activity since rate has changed? What meds are you on for BP? Any recent changes in meds for BP? Concerns need to occur if and when you become symptomatic with the change in your BP. Both of the above mentioned BPs are good providing you feel okay with the later pressure. That slight change in your pm rate should not have an effect on your BP. My suggestion would be to keep a log of your BPs for at least the next three days, try to take it around the same time of day & see how you feel. Do this along with your heart rate. Data collection is a big key in health care. Take care.

Very helpful

by kelsey1 - 2014-03-12 11:03:20

They also on my last visit which was one day ago turned on APP (Atrial Preference Pacing) when it was off. I just took a 1 mile walk and feel great. No heavy breathing and kept a good pace. Been along time since I have experienced that. Your also right it does take time to adjust to the pacemaker after all it's still new. But the worse for me is the constant checking my blood pressure. Like I said before I must check it 30 to 35 times a day and if you ask me why I would say looking for something that is not working right. I should be very happy with my new gift and I know I will soon.

Thanks for med info

by Theknotguy - 2014-03-12 11:03:43

Thanks for showing meds. Are you taking any other heart meds? That can affect your body too.

They told me to monitor my BP when I first got home too. Ended up taking it twice a day. Big mistake. I talked myself into a high blood pressure overload and ended up in the ER. Gasping for air, chest pains, and all that.

It was all mental. They got me to the ER, gave me a shot of morphine and let me sleep it off.

Like I said, there are a lot of changes in the first weeks. Sometimes you just have to sit back in a comfortable chair, have a nice warm blanket, and read a good book. Just wait for nature to heal you.

Walking is good. Hydration is good, but since you're on a diuretic you'll have to talk to your cardio guy on what is a correct amount for you.

They made an adjustment to my PM. Turned on APP (Atrial Preference Pacing). It took my body three weeks to adjust to the new settings. So, like I said, it takes your body a while to adjust.

Theknotguy

Good advice.

by kelsey1 - 2014-03-12 11:03:45

My Doctor does have me now on Atenol along with the medication I was taking before. Understand I have anxiety and stress issues. The medication are Hydrochlorothiazid 25 mg once a day, Benazepril HCL 40 mg once a day, Venlafaxine HCLER 37.5 mg once a day, and Alprazolam 1 mg twice a dat. I have not increased my acivity rate since they changed it from 60 to 65 but I do feel like I have more energy. However I notice when I start thinking about my pacemaker at times I get down and the anxious about needing it.I have been taking my blood pressure about 30 times a day thinking something might be wrong with me. I guess I feel scared and kind of alone.

Why PM?

by Theknotguy - 2014-03-12 11:03:46

You didn't say why you needed to have the PM. What were the heart conditions that brought you up to that point?

What meds are you on? That will affect your condition too.

You've only had your PM for three weeks. There are a lot of medical changes to your body that go on as you adjust to the PM.

I've only had my PM for five months and there were a lot of medical changes within the first four months. What wasn't working in the first few weeks changed. I finally finished my cardio rehab today. That was about an eleven week process and there were amazing changes over that time period.

With changes in meds, changes due to smoking, adjustments to your body from the PM, I don't feel your body has settled down yet to the new reality.

Obviously you'll want to find out why your BP is dropping but I don't feel it's due to your PM. So minor changes to the PM may not make that much of a difference.

Theknotguy

I forgot

by kelsey1 - 2014-03-13 12:03:04

I went in for a pacemaker because my heart rate got down to 30. I was put right into surgery for the pacemaker. The Beta Blocker is Atenol 25 mg and the other heart medication is Benazepril HCL 40 mg, and Dieretic Hdyrocholrothiazid 25 mg. each pill once a day.

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