Still Learning

Well, this is definitely a learning experience. On the 11th of July, the cardiologist changed my blood pressure medication. Since 2012, I had been on a beta blocker. The reason for the change was that I no longer needed it since I had a pacemaker. So, sounded reasonable. 

Now, having been placed on another blood pressure medication, my heart rate in the 100s. Headaches and general feeling of something not right. Emails back and forth with cardiologist and looks like the answer is to go back to the beta blocker to slow the rate back down. 

So, I not sure what pacemaker does. I thought that it controlled my heart rate and the beta blocker was not necessary. In simple terms, is there an explanation of what pacemaker does?  Is it more like a governor on a car that does not let you go over a set speed?  What does it mean when told you have 5 minute episode?  The pacemaker cannot get your rate back down to limits set?

Been crazy trying to sort all this out. Lots of information out there, but what is right. Is there a recommended website from those of you in the know?

Thanks. 

2 Comments

Pacemaker is a safety net

by LondonAndy - 2017-07-25 08:27:52

I agree, it is confusing what a pacemaker actually does.  Since I got mine almost 3 years ago I have learnt quite a bit (but still a complete amateur compared to others like TraceyE on this Forum!) and I think of my pacemaker as a safety net.  It makes sure that your heart does not drop below a minimum number of beats, and triggers the heart to beat if it detects that problem.  BUT it can't do anything to stop beats if you are beating at a higher rate than is set.  There are other options such as beta blockers and surgical procedures called Ablations, but I have no experience of those procedures.  My neighbour has a serious AFib problem and has had many ablations, and it seems for her at least, these only work for a while anyway.  Doubtless others can explain that more if needed.

Explaining pacemakers

by Gotrhythm - 2017-07-25 11:23:42

You're doing the right thing trying to find out more about how your pacemaker works. The more you know, the better questions you can ask, and frankly, the more respect you will get from professionals.

Andy is right. Lets say your pacemaker is set at 60 BPM. The pacemaker is monitoring your heart at all times. Sometimes your heart beats on its own. In that case, the pacemaker does nothing. It just waits to see if the next beat will come on time. If it does, the pacamaker does nothing.

If the next beat doesn't come on time, the pacemaker will initiate a beat. And then it will wait again, to see if your heart beats on its own. Etc.

That's the basics. There are other special applications such as rate response to speed up your heart when you exercise, but generally, if your heart speeds up on its own, the pacemaker won't do anything.

About the beta blocker: Some beta blockers can dangerously lower the heart rate and are safe only for people who have pacemakers because as Andy says, the pacemaker will act as a safety net and keep the HR from going too low. I'm not surprised you're confused. I'm not a doctor but NOT needing a beta blocker BECAUSE you have a pacemaker doesn't make any sense.

The bast explanations I have found to help me understand what my pacemaker is doing are on Youtube.

Try these URLs. (The links are not live. You will have to copy and paste into your browser)

*Explains electrical system of heart and pacemaker function

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR0nWe47eek

*Explains pacemaker modes (pacemaker settings)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-lMhDQTq7w

*cardiac conduction system – teaches relationship between heart beat and ECG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYZ4daFwMa8

 

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