New here, will have PM put in on 3.03.2020

Heart rate and anxiety..

by 10leonard - 2020-02-29 04:59:59

My pacemaker was put in for bradycardia also. Resting rate before down to 32.

My settings now are 60 to130 / minute..

This does not feel like anxiety even at 130 when exercising. I hope that you will have similar experience. Good luck.

Not likely

by Lexitoo - 2020-02-29 12:01:41

I am 8 weeks post insertion for bradycardia and afib.  I was always low 50s or high 40s, now low set at 60. I feel nothing, except a bit clearer and less fatigue. In fact I am going to ask to be increased to 70 to see if that is better.

Anxiety is up to you

by Gotrhythm - 2020-02-29 17:37:42

Some people who have gotten used to a slow heart beat over a number of years will feel kind of "speedy" for a while. Revved up. Kind of like, "what am I supposed to do with all this energy?" After a while, you get used to the faster heart rate and it feels normal. 

It's not uncommon for there to be difficulty falling asleep--now that you're not utterly exhausted at bedtime. To some extent you might have to relearn how to calm yourself down, and put yourself to sleep. The newer pacemakers have a "sleep mode" which can be enabled to allow the heart rate to do lower during the night time hours which really helps some people.

But anxiety? You are a thinking being. You are capable of reflecting on your experience. You are able to tell if something or some situation you encounter really is anxiety-producing or if your heart is just beating 60-70 bpm now, just like it was ten minutes ago, and two hours ago and yesterday, etc. You'll be able to note if the other symptoms of anxiety like cold, sweaty hands or flip-flopping stomach, difficulty thinking clearly are also present.

In fact, now that your brain is getting sufficient oxygen, you might find that with a steady heartbeat, you could experience much less anxiety.

Getting a pacemaker was one of the most eye-opening occurances of my life. I discovered that many things I (and others) had called irrational anxiety, were in fact symtoms of an irregular, too slow heart. Likewise, depression. When I got the pacemaker they just--pouf--disappeared.

Having lived with a slow heart beat for many years, "normal" will probably feel strange to you for a while, but whether you call that strange feeling "anxiety" or "energy-to-burn" will be totally up to you.

Anxiety is normal.

by Graham M - 2020-02-29 18:22:31

You may feel anxious to begin with, if you are having the surgery under local anaesthesia?  Most local anaesthetics contain adrenaline, and you will feel the effects of this on top of your own adrenaline, but this is not too much to worry about as it disappears very quickly.

My PM was implanted (for bradycardia due to Type 2 AV block) as an emergency after I had an episode of sycope and fell on my head, so I was very scared.  My HR did not drop below 80 for the first few days but I didn't really feel it any more than usual (I have been conscious of my heart beating for a few years).

Having a higher heart rate than we are used to does feel a bit strange at first, but it isn't the same as feeling anxious - there are no 'butterflies' in the stomach or sweaty palms.  I'm sure you'll find that the improvement in the way you'll feel will override any feelings of anxiety.  Prepare yourself for a new lease of life.

Best wishes and welcome to the club.

Graham.