Should I worry?

Hi, I am new to this club and a bit nervous. I grew up with atrial tachycardia and at age 49 was told by a cardiologist that they could fix it. I had a cardiac ablation done and after the surgery and feeling not well, was told to go home and see if it resolves. I ended up having to have a pacemaker because my good electrical was damaged during the procedure. A different doctor implanted the pacemaker on my right side, which was never explained why to me. I am right handed and own a dog grooming shop, so my work is very physical. I had my battery replaced once 3yrs ago as an emergency, and it has migrated over to my arm. My cardiologist referred me back to the last surgeon to see if it should be moved and he said if it bothers me that much he will move it, but because there is 6 yrs battery life left he wants me to really think about it. Another huge problem for me is that when I walk uphill or go on a hike which involves climbing, or do anything strenuous that increases my cardio, my heart does a terrible beating pattern which I can't even explain what it is, I can stop it by slowing down and taking deep breaths with my head down. I have mentioned it every time I go for a pacemaker check and they don't seem to see it. At my appointment the other day, I told him about it and he said that he would lower my RHR to 50. He also turned off the atrial pacing and said I don't need it on but it would kick in if needed. He also said that my ventrical is being paced 99% of the time which really scared me. I have asked so many questions over the years that no one has answered. Sorry for rambling on. I really appreciate every one of you, and this club has helped me more than words could possibly say.

2 Comments

A Little Help, perhaps

by LisB - 2014-09-26 10:09:33

I can't comment about some of the issues you've raised, but I would like to say that my pacemaker does all the beating of my heart for me. 100%. I was frightened of this at first (and on bad days, I guess I work myself up into that) but most of the time, I am just happy that my total heart block is being taken care of and I'm being kept alive. I have also experienced the strange pattern when I walk up hills fast or if there is a lot of humidity and it's very hot, and I've brought it up at the Dr.s but it happens so seldom that I am not overly concerned. No one seemed to know why. My lower number was moved to 60 and that seems to work better for me. Oh, and I've had the pacer for 15 months.
Good luck.

Hmmm Questions

by Theknotguy - 2014-09-28 12:09:08

Have you kept a log of what, when, and where? Does the fast heart rate only happen when you are walking uphill? Does it happen at certain times? Does it happen after eating certain foods or taking a drink? How much exercise are you doing otherwise? Have you asked if you should have a holter monitor to see what's going on?

I'm asking the questions because I wonder if there is a pattern. Sometimes if you can point to a specific set of circumstances you can force your doctor into another mode of thinking. Worst case scenario, if your doctor isn't listening to you, get another doctor.

Fortunately I've got two doctors who listen carefully to what I say and ask. Then they answer my questions. They feel if I'm an active participant in my health, I'll feel better and do better. I hope it's the same for you.

I go into afib. We found out that with my medication, I can't eat dark chocolate - it'll push me into afib. Was keeping a log and we made the one-to-one correlation. I've seen on this forum where other people have problems with alcohol.

I have a pulse-ox. You can pick one up at drug stores in the USA relatively inexpensively. If you go into the fast heart rate and use the pulse-ox it will give you a relatively accurate reading of the rate. Telling your doctor you went into a rate of 140 while sitting in your recliner gives your cardiologist something to work with.

Oh, and because of the medication I'm on, I'm pacing about 80%. It doesn't mean my heart would stop if I didn't have the PM. It just means my heart wouldn't beat at the 60 BPM at which my PM is set because my medication slows down my heart.

Hang in there. Hope things get better for you.

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