Dizziness

Learning to interpret pacemaker-speak

by Gotrhythm - 2017-07-27 13:20:26

Here's something you need to know.  When they say, "your pacemaker is working fine," that means your pacemaker is working the way it is programmed to. It doesn't mean your pacemaker is working in a way that is optimal for you. Sometimes you need to have the programming changed.

"Pacemaker didn't record any episodes," means "didn't record any episode that it was programmed to record." It doesn't mean nothing happened. Many things could have happened but the pacemaker was not programmed to record them.

I have episodes when "my heart goes crazy and I feel dizzy."  In my case, the cause is a long run of PVCs and a drop in blood pressure. It's far more likely to happen when I am overtired. My pacemaker is not set to record PVCs. And doesn't have the capability to sense blood pressure. So you can guess what I would be told if I called the pacemaker tech.

A drop in blood pressure will make you dizzy and has many causes. I'm not an expert but I doubt if the pacemaker had anything to do with it.

Still, pacemaker aside, you need some answers. Don't be afraid to go back and keep going back to your doctor.

Wow

by The real Patch - 2017-07-27 14:04:58

It's pretty obvious from her stuttering post Robin1 is dizzy right now.

I often get light in the loafers when changing position rapidly, the doc says...don't do that.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with a single episode. Just keep an eye on it and if the problem continues contact the Cardiologist and let him know. Could be lots of things including blood pressure medication you are taking. My guess is you have a few meds since you have a CRT-D

Oh and Gotnorhythm is right, the comment your pacemaker is working fine is meaningless. It's nothing more than a lazy response by the medical pros who say that. They program your device to capture information only on events they deem of concern for your condition. They have to do that due to the limit on data a device can hold.

Good luck. Hopefully this won't repeat

it is normal but just abnormal to you

by bridgermichael - 2017-07-27 19:45:11

hi - great advice by the two previous commenters - I would add that 5 weeks in you are still sensitive to change - feelings and adnormalities - everything is a wonder - is this an episode etc - you can make a note of the dates as when you have your first download of incidents ( generally around 5/6 weeks post insertion ) they will tell you of any sessions as they will be looking to adjust the parameters so it may be that you are set too high or too low at moment until they have some charting to go on- it is normal to sometimes feel a situation but nothing to worry about- sometimes you may be sitting and get up too quickly and feel a little giddy - or you haven't had enough liquid /fluid intake- wait for the interim results - you can always request to have more frequent download if you worried - Mike are 6 monthly instead of annually as I have a number of lengthy episodes so they are all charted and captured - 

whatever the situation at least you have the knowledge that you are fitted with a device designed to stop a worse situation occurring like blood clot or stroke and life should be stress free of that worry now

mike b 

Skipped heart beat?

by MartyP - 2017-07-27 23:13:07

I've had the same problem.  I'm 72 and about 8 weeks in on my PM.

I think I found my cause which is skipped heart beats.

My son in law is an ENT and he said when you skip a beat more blood collects in the lower chamber and has to be pumped out ... this, in my case, is the cause of the dizziness, lightheadiness and the pounding feeling.

When it happens I take my pulse on my wrist and can feels the dropped beats.

Please let me know if this may be your answer as well.

Thank you all!!

by Debbie-55 - 2017-07-27 23:30:50

You all made me feel better. This pm is so new to me and the feelings that I have. I have been sluggish since that episode and really don't know what questions I need to ask to get it corrected. I have a very stressful and physical job. Even though I haven't returned to work, I have been trying to force myself to work more around the house to increase my endurance. It has backfired. I just don't have a lot of stamina yet. Why? I have been off work for 4 months, waiting for my surgery. Now that I am 5 weeks post op I think I should be able to keep up for 8-10 hours. Wrong!! After a few hours I need to take a break. Why? What do I need to tell my cardiologist? Please give me ideas as I am so frustrated! Thank you for all your ideas. I think I was just exhausted for my dizzy spell but my lack of endurance is a huge question mark!!!