New Pacemaker

New Pacemaker

by Edgebull - 2018-04-29 16:39:27

Ask you Doctor how often your pacemaker is pacing. 

If it is over 90% , like me, then pacing the right ventrical can cause congestive heart failure.

Many cardiologists don't believe that they need to tell their patients this.

Edge

moving forward

by Tracey_E - 2018-04-29 16:56:49

While CHF is sometimes a concern, it's rare, well under 10%. We are paced because we need it so while there are some long term risks, the benefits far outweigh the risks.  

How did you feel when your rate went up to 67? Mine gets higher than that on a brisk walk so I'd be tired and short of breath if it only got up to 67. 

Once you heal and get the vtach under control, you should be able to be as active as you want. 

Try to resist the urge to check your pulse all the time. It'll make you crazy. If you feel good, assume your rate is good. 

Response to increased rate

by John D - 2018-04-29 17:41:00

I felt ok at the 67 heart rate. It was the first walking (very slow for 10-12 minutes in yard) I have attempted since the implant 6 days ago. I didn't want to do much before my first follow up appointment and I am a somewhat concerned with the VTach epidsodes in the hospital.

What is pacing?  This is all new to me. 

Thanks for the tip on not checking my rate.  I was doing it often.  It seems to stay at 60 unless I am in motion for a few minutes.  I will take your advise.

healing

by Tracey_E - 2018-04-29 18:43:42

It's possible the heart was just aggravated from having leads put in it! I wouldn't be too worried about the vtach for now, wait and see what the doctor said. Ask how many times it happened, how high you got, how long it lasted. Also ask if the pacer recorded any episodes since then. 

Pacing is when the pacemaker is working rather than watching, sending out an electrical signal to the heart that mimics what the heart should have done on its own. The heart responds by beating. Edge was referring to how much the pacer is pacing, possible complications if it's over 90% of the time. You can ask how much you pace but don't stress over the number. We pace as much as we need to. I have paced nearly every beat since 1994. 

New Pacemaker

by Edgebull - 2018-04-29 20:09:18

i am not trying to scare you.  I am trying to alert you that you need to be aware of some of the things that can go wrong.  Since you are young and active, I think it is in your best interest to know more than less.

if you are pacing 90% of the time (i.e. You are dependent on the PM) and you are right ventricle paced (one of the leads is connected to the right ventricle) then you are at risk for your left ventricle to become enlarged and for your valves to leak and for you to get congenital heart failure.  This is fact!  Who cares if this happens 30% of the time.  You are at risk for this to happen and you should start making sure that it doesn't happen.  If your EP cardiologist has not agreed that this is a risk, then they are not being completely honest with you.

Again, I am not trying to scare anyone.  However, I think it is better for you to know all of the pertinent info.  And deal with it.

Everybody told me that everything was going to be great and that I shouldn't worry. That turned out to be bad advice.  

My advice to you is to be educated!  A ton of info. is available online.

Edge

Pacemaker made easy

by marylandpm - 2018-04-30 07:42:42

   You can download "Pacemakers Make Easy" by Carl Roberson. It's  a good place to start learing about your heart and pacemaker. Also there is a lot of advancement being make so I would think of the book as being a good place to start not the latest and greatest advancemant.