hyperventilation

I have had my pacemaker since 2003 or there about. One of my leads is barely connected. Recently I was playing with my grandkids in the pool and ever since I have had hyperventilation (panting like a dog) where it seems like I can't catch my breath until I hold my breath for a moment and the sensation goes away for awhile, then it comes back. I don't have to be doing anything to trigger this. I went into the er yesterday but they say I'm normal; whatever that means. I think I have disconnected the lead to the point where it is like a loose sparkplug wire and is shorting out. They are supposed to replace my battery in 2010. Any thoughts?

Ron

2 Comments

Loose lead

by ElectricFrank - 2009-07-02 11:07:17

When you went in for your checkup did they do a pacemaker interrogation? This would quickly show up a bad lead on the readings. There is a reading called electrode impedance which would have show a change with a detached flopping lead. The other way would be to take an x-ray of your heart.

If they just based their opinion on talking to you, checking your BP/pulse, then they don't really know.

Hyperventilation can be a symptom of anxiety or panic and have nothing to do with the pacer. Sometimes overexertion like in the pool can cause a momentary sensation that creates anxiety, and then we become hypersensitive to it. That may be what the docs office thinks is happening.

If they didn't download your pacers data I would insist on it being done. At least rule that out.

frank

Hyperventilation

by SMITTY - 2009-07-02 11:07:17

Hello Ron,

Hyperventilation is not likely to be caused by any malfunction of your pacemaker or a broken lead. There are many causes but none are usually heart related to heart problems. Howeverr the hyperventilation can result in symptoms that make a person think they are having heart problems..

Hyperventilation (or overbreathing) is the state of breathing faster and/or deeper than necessary, bringing about lightheadedness and other undesirable symptoms are often associated with panic attacks.

Hyperventilation side effects are not precipitated by the sufferer's lack of oxygen or air. Rather, the hyperventilation itself reduces the carbon dioxide concentration of the blood to below its normal level, thereby raising the blood's pH value (making it more alkaline), thereby causing a constriction of the blood vessels which supply the brain, and preventing the transport of certain electrolytes necessary for the function of the nervous system.

Hyperventilation can cause symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the hands, feet and lips, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, chest pain, slurred speech and sometimes fainting.

If the hyperventilation continues you need to see your doctor as there are medicines or other forms of treatments for this problem. A treatment I have seen used several times is to have the patient put a paper bag over their face and breath into it for a few seconds. What happens is you are breathing air that has been exhaled from your lungs and is high in CO2. Breathing air with a high level of CO2 restores the blood pH to the optimum level. A word of caution here, let your doctor tell you if this treatment what you need.

Good luck,

Smitty

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