HR Increase

I am struggling. I just had a Medtronic pacer put in last Tuesday (May 16). This is my first pacer and going through some depression and worries.  I was given the duel lead pacer for sick sinus that all started 10 years ago when the node was damaged during the Maze open heart  procedure to cure my Afib which it did for 10 years. Any way..prior to the pacer my HR at rest was 50 - never light headed, never passed out but was having pauses and very low HR at night. Basically the node was failing and slowly has been for 10 years to the point my EP felt I needed to have a pacer put in. Since the implan I have noticed my resting HR is now 74-76 and going up a flight of stairs will pop the rate to over 90. I am also amazed/troubled by the rate of return to the resting rate. After a flight of stairs it takes forever for my HR to return to the 76 resting rate. ALSO - PVC's which had finally become near non existant are now back since the procedure and the force of the PVC's is strong. I would also like to note that just this past December I underwent an ablation to hopefully put an end to the return of my Afib/Aflutter. Easy to get depressed over all this and having this PM in my chest worries me. Again - struggling as this is all new and causing a lot of worry.  Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. New to the club and glad to have a place to go from those who are and have been through this. 

3 Comments

Similar issues

by jjjxhhh - 2017-05-20 09:54:45

I hear you! I have a pacemaker after almost 10 years of a fib and sick sinus syndrome as well. The primary reason I got it though was I was fainting often and since the procedure in August I haven't fainted so that's the only good thing of all of this. I still have a fib. My resting heart rate is 70 (that's what it's programmed at) and the high spikes are still insane and the PVCs make me so anxious. They're daily and so are bouts of a fib. I'm 28 and thin and have no risk factors for any of this so it's very frustrating and I completely understand your depression over it. 

 

Does your pacemaker have rate response turned on? That may help you feel better. Hang in there love!

Rate Response

by BobbyJohn - 2017-05-20 10:17:14

Jessica - hate to say this but nice to hear from someone with the same type issues. They did not turn on the rate response that I am aware of. They said they wanted to see how my heart reacted without it on. They talked about so many settings it was unreal. I thought I went into a bout of AF the first night home with this and ended up in the ER on night one not knowing what was going on - definately a learning curve with these and for me who is so in tuned with every little blip in my heart it's going to be tough. I really thought for the first time in as long as I could remember my PVC's were for the most part gone and then to have them come back so pronounced as they are since the PM was put in. Very frustrating to say the least! You hang in there as well. Thoughts and prayers your way!   Take care!  

Rate Response

by Ileen - 2017-05-21 17:57:07

Jessica, I also have my pacemaker for only a few months. Since December. I was getting a lot more extra heartbeats in the beginning. But, my rate response is turned on. I would ask about that. My heart beat does go up fast sometimes, but goes down pretty fast too. If you are really concerned. Call the Dr. they can help , honest! Mine is a gem, he always helps me. I went the other day for my Checkup and he listiened to all my questions, ( and had answers) Dont worry about the skippping ,not dangerous at all, just feels yucky , I know had them for 40 some years. Things will get better! Hugs, Ileen

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