Pacemaker and resistant hypertension

Hey all, 

Apologies in advance for the long post.  I am 56 and for 25 years have had hypertension that has progressed to the point that 4 meds can’t control it.  I also am hypothyroid for 30 years. Because of these things my heart rate has always been low in the 50’s. It is especially low when my bp is over 200.  When my pressure is low my heart rate is usually in the 60’s.  I am always dizzy,  short of breath, fatigued and have no tolerance for any physical activity.  Many many palpitations.  I also have mild pulmonary hypertension and aortic regurgitation .. from the uncontrolled bp.  I failed my stress test last month.  Heart rate didn’t get higher than 85 after 9 mins.  So Dr says I need a pacemaker and that having one may help my bp come down and my energy level and activity tolerance to go up just by having the device that will adjust my heartrate for activity.    I would love for this to be the case!  I have a lot of living to do! 

So my question.  Anyone else have a similar story with hypertension? 

Did your hypertension get better when your heart rate went up with pacing? 

Do you feel amazing and energetic? 

Anybody lose weight by actually having a metabolism after?  ( I could use to lose 10 lbs) 

anyone hypothyroid with suppressed tsh?

 

I am scheduled for insertion right before Thanksgiving 

Thank you in advance for any responses 🙂


2 Comments

Feeling Good.

by Graham M - 2019-11-06 19:12:30

Hi Soulshine,

I can't answer all your questions, but can share my experience with a couple of them.

I am 63 and hypothyroid - diagnosed 10 years ago but I had symptoms for years before diagnosis.  My BP at that time was high (160/90), but not dangerously so according to my Dr.

After a couple of years of increasing doses of Levothyroxine, my TSH level settled down at just above the lower limit of normal which is where it should be.  My BP should have gone down, but it has stayed high, although not high enough to need treatment.

Just under 3 months ago, after a couple of years feeling dizzy and fatigued, I had a Syncope and was diagnosed with Mobitz Type II AV block and had a PM installed.  The cardiologist promised me that my BP would drop.  It hasn't yet, but I suspect this will take some time.

I can't say I'm feeling amazing and energetic, but am certainly a lot better than 3 months ago.

I am sure you know more about high BP than I do, but before deciding on a PM, it might be a good idea to look at your BP meds, as bradycardia  is known to be associated with beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.

I wish you all the best.

Graham.

 

hypothyroidism

by barbara100 - 2019-11-08 11:54:19

I have secondary hypothyroidism, which is the type of hyporhyroidism you describe. In secondary hypothyroidism, the TSH may be zero even though your t3 and t4 levels are zero, as well. I am sure you're seeing an endocrinologist for this, but I have found that I have to remind even my endocrinologist that my hypothyroidism is secondary, not primary.  Persons with secondary hypothyroidism, which is what you have, require a higher dose of thyroid medication then those with primary hypothyroidism.  if your endocrinologist does not know the difference between primary and secondary hypothyroidism, I would look for another one. You can also read extensively online about it. Many hypothyroid patients, both primary and secondary, report that they do not feel euthyroid unless a small amount of Cytomel is prescribed in addition to their Synthroid prescription. Also, some hypothyroid patients do not easily convert t4 to t3. This means they may always need a prescription for t3. 

I got my first device for a heart rate that was in the thirties. I did not have hypertension, though.

I did not see any weight loss after the implant. I did see weight loss, however, after a prescription for Cytomel was added to my Synthroid prescription.

Good luck!

You know you're wired when...

Your life has spark.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.