Irritable Ticker!

I suppose many of us have what happens to me. Take into account that I am at the upper end of middle age at 81. I wonder how you cope?

The latest occurance was when I was standing in my kitchen waiting for the microwave to "ding" with my dinner. Suddenly I felt lightheaded and faint. So I took a few steps to the nearest seat and put my head down low between my knees and took my pulse with a phone app, it was 151bpm. 

As soon as the pulse settles to "normal" I can get up and carry on as though nothing has happened. This happens every several weeks and knowing it isn't life threatening I just relax when it happens and wait for it to stop - no worries.  But it is such a nuisance!  They vary between ten minutes to about two minutes.

Because of this I rely on my mobility scooter, even to go a few minutes to the village shop. I don't want to go all gooey if I were to walk anywhere. I'm sure I would faint if I kept standing with the risk of falling and getting injured, so the scooter is a blessing - a larger road going version.

Another time I was riding my scooter where there were a lot of people, I realised I was going off again, stopped, thought, "I'm already sitting, just go slowly." Then I realised I was okay again and carried on as though nothing had happened.

I've no idea what type of tachycardia I am having, perhaps my six monthly check-up will reveal all and I can get sorted out. How about you?

7 Comments

Irritable ticker

by Heart-Rhythm-Center.com - 2018-06-27 17:54:27

Dear Bionicbry:

The sensation of heart racing (aka, palpitations) and a heart rate of 150 suggests that you may have an arrhythmia. The first consideration is whether or not this arrhythmia could be risky. If you have had prior heart attacks or your ejection fraction is less than 45%, then you could have an arrhythmia from the bottom chambers (ventricles). Arrhythmias from the bottom chamber can be dangerous and need to be addressed. In your age group, atrial fibrillation is a very common cause of heart racing that fast. The heart beats are usually irregular as well. A diagnosis of atrial fibrillation means you may be at risk of stroke and need an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Relay your symptoms to your care provider and they may be able to record your arrhythmia during these events to get a diagnosis. If you need more information about palpitations, I'd recommend considering the book What are Palpitations? (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078RZWRMT?ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_2J.mBb0WECBK9&tag=heartrhythmce-20&linkCode=kpe) It throughly covers the most common top and bottom arrhythmias. Most importantly, contact your care provider about your symptoms.

Hope this helps.

Similar Symptoms to this

by Stoneyjohn - 2018-06-28 07:54:13

i am 79 live in the  Uk and have had my pacemaker since 16th May this year 2018 and I have very similar symptoms to those you describe but my pacemaker is limited to a maximun of 120 beats per minute. I was first toid it wa PMT and they have had me back now twice in order to try and adjust the condition but without success. I have now been told now it may be due to Atrial fibrllation and have been asked to take part in a volentary trial of a new drug for this condition which I am considering doing. I'm not sure that this is helpful to you but thought you like to have the information anyway.

Thanks...

by BionicBry - 2018-06-28 09:29:35

Many thanks for the comments. I'm told my pacemaker is set for 60 to 130 bpm. The most normal beats I've caught myself at is 120 when active. But tachy events are a law unto themselves.  

O well, my "ding" dinner is ready, then I'm off out on my scooter along Riverside Walk. Best wishes to all.

 

 

Blood Pressure

by Figallegro - 2018-06-28 10:45:05

Are you able to get your blood pressure reading when this happens?

Blood pressure

by BionicBry - 2018-06-28 12:13:57

Figallegro, no I haven't been able to take my bp at the time of attack. What a good idea, if I am indoors near the BP monitor. It is where I normally sit. But I never know when or where its going to happen.

However, I now have an oxymeter, you know, it clamps onto a finger and that tells oxy sat levels and bpm. I keep it handy all the time. 

One might say, why bother, just deal with the event and carry on. But I have a natural interest as I studied physiology, anatomy and biology when I was young. My favourite studies were the brain and heart, although I must have forgotten a lot of it and knowledge has advanced, I still find it all interesting. 

 

hi

by Bionic Beat - 2018-06-29 11:25:04

I know you have a scooter but would going for a couple of 20 minute walks a day not help with your overall health??  Maybe use the scooter for shopping trips or long trips but walking is one of the best 'easy' exercises one can do for oneself.  Its not just about not going gooey, its about keeping the blood flowing up and down the body, not being sedentary all the time and keeping blood clots at bay.   Just an idea.   Call a family member, or text them, that you're off and will re text when you get back.  if not a family member, maybe a neighbour who might even wish to walk with you.   You have to look after your whole body, right??   lol

 

Best Wishes,

 

Bionic Beat

Stony....

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-29 13:58:36

I too have Afib (mostly flutter) and had an AV ablation for it.  A pacemaker does little for AF (there are trials but the results aren't promising), so you need to be on rate control,  if you're still atrial placed.  Your doctor may be talking about rhythm control drugs but br forewarned,  they have serious side effects.

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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