Pacemaker?

Hello, I'm a 45 yo male who's completed several long distance and ultra running events. I've seen several cardiologists and gone through all the standard tests. I have a resting heart rate of 30-35. My symptoms are dizziness from time to time and the inability for my heart rate to climb during exercise or racing. I did some tempo training the other day and my heart rate never passed 120. I can still race, but becoming more slow and difficult as heart just won't go like it use to. Showing signs of exercise intolerance. I become more symptomatic on days I don't exercise. Strange, but exercise seems to kick start my heart for the day. If I don't exercise I become tired and heart palpitates more when lying down. A couple years ago the cardiologist says I might need a pacemaker in the future, but then thought I was overtrained and just needed to rest. Well, I cut back on my cardio and running, gained weight and still deal with a low heart rate and weak response to exercise. I don't think rest will fix this so now going back to cardiologist for an update. I think a pacemaker is my only option, but afraid of my exercise future after getting one placed. Your opinions and thoughts would be greatly helpful. Thanks.

4 Comments

running

by Tracey_E - 2016-05-27 08:05:01

Your symptoms are classic and easily fixed with the pacer. They do not get better, only stay the same or (more typically) get worse. Talk to them about your running. There's no reason why you can't be back to your old energy levels and stamina with the right pacer. Ask about upper limit, some go higher than others. Also ask about rate response, this is the function that mimics what your heart should be doing and raises your rate for you on exertion. There are different types and some are more responsive than others for athletes.

pacemaker

by zawodniak2 - 2016-05-27 08:05:04

sounds like you are a definite candidate for a rate responsive PM. I have one and it won't allow my heart to go below 60 (this is adjustable for each individual) but they usually start most people at 60 and they can easily readjust the settings any time after receiving the PM. Also the rate response will help your heart beat faster with exercise. Mine is set at 120 which is sufficient for me since I normally don't vigorously exercise (Although I should) Many people are set at 130 and this is adjustable as well. My dizzy symptoms have disappeared and yours would probably disappear as well and you should be able to get back to your exercise routine. 30-35 is bradycardia and you should be aware that you may be on the edge of feinting under the right conditions such as dehydration and certain medications. Also, generally speaking, your condition will not improve on it's own and could become more bothersome with age. You appear to be like so many people who were very glad they got a PM..
Good Luck
Rodger



PM for Low Rate

by Good Dog - 2016-05-27 08:05:08

Your situation is almost exactly as mine was when I had a PM implant at age 38. I went into full heart block, but prior to that my HR was very slow. When wearing a holter monitor it would drop to about 35 bpm when sleeping.
It sounds like your heart works fine on the upper end. My situation was the same. After my PM implant I was concerned about exercise and found that when I did rigorous exercise my heart worked just fine (like you). When running I would get my rate well over 180 bpm. So the bottom line is that my PM was there primarily to prevent my HR from going too low.
Since your situation sounds the same, you shouldn't have any problems while exercising and the PM will prevent you from being symptomatic when resting. So go for it!
I can almost promise you that if you get a PM, you will never regret it.
Sincerely,

David

Thanks

by Czechmate - 2016-05-28 06:05:33

Thanks for your thoughts. Really appreciate it!

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