New Pacemaker

Hi first post. 54 year old male, very active and fit, history of SVT for the last couple of years. Had my second ablation on May 22 that left me with second degree heart block. Spent a 1.5 week with very low heart rate (20 at night to 40 during the day), finally got my dual chamber Boston Scientific pacemaker last night.

Today had been a rough day, pain is definitely there but under control. However I feel very weak, I have been in the hospital for the last 5 days and did loose 15 lbs in 5 days so I guess some of this is expected. 

What is most concerning is the short bouts of rapid heart rate 100-120, nausea, and feeling that my heart is pounding.

Thanks

Dave


6 Comments

Check

by jennk - 2019-06-04 19:47:09

I would call your doctor and explain symptoms.  It is normal to feel weak after what you have been through, but the heart rate may be something they could help with.  Hang in there.

New Pacemaker

by IPGENG12 - 2019-06-04 20:55:03

Hi Dave,

I had my second pacemaker implanted in 2017.  I also experienced some rapid heart rate events (upwards of 150 bpm) in the days after the implant.  I got in touch with the implanting clinic and they were able to adjust pacing parameters that resolved this right away.  I'd get in touch with them right away.

I suffered from SVT's for 25+ years off/on.  Getting on the pacemaker with ablation of my AV node has been a huge relief overall.  Hang in there!

Regards,

Fred

Everyone is different

by Zackalope - 2019-06-04 22:58:40

I think it's a much 'rougher' surgery than they give it credit for, because I've heard of multiple reactions to it.

From 'It was no big deal, didn't even hurt' in the case of a friend.

Mine was different. They injured a nerve during the implantation, so I felt like for the better part of a month like someone had shot me in the shoulder.

Your mileage may vary.

and on the other hand...

by Grandmoi - 2019-06-06 10:16:13

I had paroxsysmal A-Fib with a rapid vent response , bradycardia and a SVT just to make things interesting..in order to take care of all of these effectively, my EP did an AV node ablation.....the ventricular rate is a minimum of 50/min and can pace higher with exercise. For decades, my normal HR was 48-60...if I was horribly upset, my HR was 70...LOL... after the PM implant, I had daily episodes of what felt like tachycardia..made me quite nervous...at my second PM check 3 months out, I was told for the first time that the PM does a daily run-through..and the rate is increased to 90 BPM as part of that self-check. That would have been nice to know ahead of time....sharing this to point out that sometimes, the docs. nurses and techs forget to communicate the "small stuff"....and the more you know, the better :)

Hanging in ther

by Dprib - 2019-06-06 12:10:47

Thanks for the feedback. I did an on demand download and they said everything was good and not to trust the Apple Watch pulse rate. I told them it was not just the high pulse rate on the watch but I was also symptomatic.

I did go for a very short walk today and did okay. If I could just get rid of the constant heart pounding I would feel better. It beats so hard I can see my hand move with each beat.

Thanks

Dave

Tachycardia

by Shana - 2019-06-08 00:00:56

Hi,

I also had tachycardia the morning after implant and two additional incidents since then. My PM was implanted last March.

The episode in May was pretty scary. I cycled through 4 tachycardia cycles in 20 minutes and landed in the ER.

I can also relate to the pounding. I offen exercise and hit my ceiling at 170 bpm. There is no uncomfortable pounding.

The episodes with tachycardia/pounding are generally between 125-135. Totally different.

We’ve adjusted settings quite a bit. Checked for pacemaker induced tachycardia.  And dialed in other stuff.

My cardiologist rules my episodes as ‘syncope’ - quick drop in blood pressure that the heart tries to correct by beating faster. 

Not sure if this is right or not, but I’m pretty sure I will experience it again.  I try to focus on what’s in my control - staying hydrated and increasing my sodium intake. 

Good of luck in figuring out your episodes. Sorry you are experiencing them.

Shana

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