Pacemaker

Palpations

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-16 18:10:30

If you had palpations before your pacemaker, you'll almost always have them after.  A pacemaker rarely does anything for arrhythmias.  All it can do is make your heart go faster. Your EP may have plans to change your meds to address these later, something he might not have been able to do before your pacemaker.  Most of these lower your heart rate and if it's too low already, they can'' be used. Pacemakers correct this problem.

You really should be having this discussion with your EP.  Really, you should have had it before your surgery.  "What are the long-term options?" and "How do we get there from here?".

Feeling better is as much mental as physical

by Gotrhythm - 2020-08-17 16:02:31

My surgeon warned me beforehand not to expect the pacemaker to help with palpitations.

He was right. Unfortunately, that's not how pacemakers work. Nothing that I know of will make palpitations go away totally, but some people have found that supplemental magnesium helps.

One thing is sure. Nothing will completely cure palpitations, but getting upset by them will definately make them worse. Anxiety will make them worse. 

You should definitely talk over your concerns with your doctor, but feeling good after getting a pacemaker is as much mental as physical. A degree of anxiety is very common. We did a member poll on the subject a couple of years ago. As I remember it, many said they had anxiety initially, but it went away fairly quickly.

In the meantime progressive relaxation, meditation, and learning to take life one day at a time will all help. As will coming here and reading about others' experience.

Hope you feel better soon.