Heart rate

Tachy-Brady with a pacemaker?

by AgentX86 - 2019-10-27 20:00:55

First, you can't trust the heart rate monitor on your watch, particularly over a short amount of time. 

Tchy-Brady is real but you really need to count it manually. It's best to "catch" your heart doing wonky things and initiate a remote session when it's doing it.  Pacemakers don't record everything.  I was surprised how little they do record. They will send an EKG, though, and your PM tech and EP can have a good look at what's really going on.

That said, what is the minimum rate that your PM is programmed for?  Your heart rate should never go below this (by more than one or two BPM). You could still have episodes of tachycardia.  A pacemaker is only a "go faster" device.  It can't slow the heart down.  But, you just can't trust a watch to get the heart rate right, particularly if there is any sort of arrhythmia involved.

Tachy/ Brady

by Lizzie - 2019-10-27 20:50:14

Hi,

I use a Kardia device when I have problems. They are great and easy to use via an app on your phone.

cheers

Lizzie

Kardia

by AgentX86 - 2019-10-27 22:29:51

Yes, Kardia Mobiles are serious tools - use one myself.  Watches aren't (with the possible exception of the later Apple Watches).

Heart rate

by Gemita - 2019-10-28 03:45:37

Hello Ametcalf86

Yes I know all about sudden heart rate changes and its accompanying BP changes. It is very very de-stabilising and has caused syncope in my case leading to my pacemaker.  Of course a pacemaker cannot deal with a fast heart rate unless we have the type of pacemaker that can shock the heart back into rhythm. My pacemaker is for slow heart rates and pausing.  

Remember too that a pacemaker can only record what it has been set up to record and you may need to keep going back to your device clinic for an explanation why you keep experiencing periodic sudden changes in heart rate and why you feel so poorly.

My fluctuations in heart rate are clearly due to arrhythmias. I have several including intermittent Atrial tachycardia, Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter which can trigger these symptoms. I do not know why your pacemaker was implanted but some arrhythmias can be frustratingly difficult to detect if they only occur periodically so long term monitoring is essential. Hopefully your pacemaker can be set by your clinic to detect any abnormal rhythms that may be occurring, however briefly.

I do wish you well and some answers soon. Remember to drink plenty fluids (I take on board lots of tepid water) when this is happening to help stabilize my BP and please don't get up too quickly from a lying position !!

Heart Rate

by Ddefalco326 - 2019-10-29 01:43:25

hello,

I’ve only had my pm since Sept., but have had similar events where my heart rate will drop to the 40’s or low 50’s,and then at other times goes high, 185. My pm is set to 60, so I thought it wasn’t supposed to drop below that. My EP said the reading must be a mistake, but it has happened several times, and I’m pretty sure it’s not a mistake. I will however feel my pm kick in and the hr rises to 60 within a few seconds. Dr. put me on meds for the tachycardia now that I have the pm.