Newby Question-Feel Strong Heartbeat?

I just had a PM installed January 11th, and this was all discovered through testing from Nov-Dec 2017.  I have 3rd degree block and there was also some taccacardia, and sometimes my Atrial was beating 70 BPM and the VEntical 30 BPM.  But with the PM and some meds, they say should be okay.  I am in my early 50s, and am still recovering from surgery, but went back to work this week, although no driving.  I seem to feel my heart beating, very strongly, when I am just sitting around, or even when laying down, or doing nothing.  I'm not sure how normal this is, as my whole life I rarely remember feeling my heartbeat so strongly, unless I was playing sports or major activity.  Is this normal with a pacemaker?  Is it just that since the A and V are working better together now and the beat is amplified or something?  It's not uncomfortable, just a bit weird getting used to.  

Thanks in advance for any answers.

3 Comments

Strong heart beat

by Lilly - 2018-01-25 09:23:48

What you're feeling is normal. I had my pacemaker implant on November 2nd. I am thinking it's just our hearts adjusting to the new device. It get better. sounds like you're doing great. by being able to go back to work. Welcome to the club, this is a great place to be. Pacemaker club has really helped me a lot. Blessings to you! 

normal

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-25 09:38:30

They will  adjust your settings in a few weeks, that may make it go away. They start with things turned up until the leads settle in and the heart gets used to being paced. Also, your rate just doubled. That takes a little getting used to! My rate was similar, felt like I was mainlining coffee those first few weeks/months. The feeling goes away and the faster rate becomes normal. 

Strong heart beat

by Irob - 2018-01-25 10:18:28

I had a pm fitted in singspore in 2007 after serious dehydration disturbed my normal heart rythm leading to almost continuous prefeinting feelings. The  pacemaker used to start pacing in the wee hours of the night when my heartbeat fell below 40. It used to kick me awake at 100 bpm which was quite an uncomfortable shock. Step by step the doc tuned it down until i could,t feel it come in at all , about 80 bpm until my own hesrtbeat caught up. I wasnt happy NOT to feel it then because I wanted to monitor the number of events per week, so the doc set it at 85. It would then just wake me but more gently and i got used to it but over the next year all my events ceased as my heart seemed to recover from its palpitstion events caused by dehydration and loss of essential electrolytes potassium, sodium and magnesium.

I,ve just had a replacement installed after 10 years on my old faithful medtronic, i,m now 64 years old, still fit and regularly walking, some jogging and occasional cycling. I still suffer from postural hypotension but rarely enough for thd new pm to kick in. My resting bp is usually 110/65 and hr 55 so i feel ok. My weight is 85kg at 185cm tall.  I always monitor my heart condition using a wrist monitor and feel i have a greater understanding of my condition using this. I used to keep a log of events to discuss with the doc and concurr with the memory download at the checkups.  We are so lucky to live in modern times and modern countries.

 

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