PVC/PAC’s

PVCs & PACs

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-11 14:36:24

At four weeks it's still too early to judge. It can take a while for the heart to become accustomed to being paced. The heart tends to "learn" patterns (which is why Afib begets more Afib and it's harder to treat), so it'll settle down some. At that point your EP can increase or add meds to address these problems. Metoprolol might help but its main purpose is to keep the rate down so no more damage is done.

New Pacemaker

by Ajacks - 2020-08-11 21:37:18

I just had my pacemaker put in two weeks ago.  My anxiety level has been very high lately and I'm wondering if this is a normal reaction to this new "addition".

it would be helpful for me to hear other people's experiences.

New pacemaker

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-11 21:55:19

Are you referring to anxiety or the ectopics BIGAL, above, is referring to?

Ectopics are perfectly normal during the weeks and months after a PM implant.  I had horrible bigeminal PVCs for a few months.  My EP fixed it by raising my heart rate back to 80bpm.  This doesn't seem to be a problem anymore and I probably should ask to have it reduced.

Of you're asking about anxiety, well, sure.  Some people get very anxious about any sort of surgery, particularly something as critical as the heart.  It can be hard, but learn to look at your pacemaker as your friend.  It really doesn't matter how you got here.  You're much better off admitting that you are here and have a life to live ahead of you.  A pacemaker isn't going to make that any worse and will make it better.

Yes, it's hard for some to wrap their head around the above but that's the goal.  If you need help to get there, don't hesitate to seek it.  No one is going to think any less of you for it.  You'll get though this and realize how fortunate you (we) really are to live in a time pacemakers are possible.

Yes PVCs and PACs are miserable

by Gemita - 2020-08-11 23:33:48

Hello Bigal,

Frequent PVCs and PACs are clearly a sign that your heart is irritated.  PVCs and PACs can be due to a wide range of illnesses from serious heart conditions and coronary artery disease to autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, to infection, to electrolyte imbalances (sodium, magnesium, potassium), to medication, to lack of oxygen as with sleep apnea, to lung conditions, to stress and anxiety and the list goes on.  I hope your doctors have done the usual checks to look for treatable causes ?  My doctors for example looked for coronary artery disease as a possible trigger, but found none.

I found that the implant procedure itself, although not regarded as major heart surgery, is certainly a surgical procedure capable of causing distress to the heart and this distress can manifest itself as arrhythmias like benign PVCs, PACs or more concerning arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.  I certainly noticed an increase in all my arrhythmias immediately following my implant procedure and they were stubborn to settle initially but they did eventually settle with minimum medication.

I am sorry you are still battling ectopics which can be miserable when frequent and prolonged.  I found that throwing more rate control meds like beta blockers or anti arrhythmic meds at them to try to calm them down just didn’t work and in fact made all my arrhythmias far far worse.  I am finding that the higher minimum heart rate set for my pacemaker, at 70 bpm, is all that I need to outpace these awful beats and stop them from progressing into atrial or ventricular tachy arrhythmias.  It may not work for everyone but it certainly helps me.

I note your heart rate is slowly rising, although a heart rate of up to 100 bpm is still considered normal.   This may just be an indication that your heart is still settling down from pacemaker implant and hopefully this should normalise soon.  Make sure you get plenty of quality sleep, keep well hydrated, try to avoid too much caffeine, eat wholesome foods, get plenty of fresh air and gentle exercise and try to relax will go a long way towards eliminating your ectopics.  Some find magnesium supplements helpful.  I was found to be markedly deficient in magnesium when my ectopics and other arrhythmias began, so worth getting your electrolytes checked.