What to do while waiting

I have my surgery scheduled 3 days out. My problem is my BPM numbers drop into the mid/upper 30's every time I sit for a few minutes. If I lay down or stand up and walk it is fine, but if I sit it soon drops. Any ideas on how to not pass out over the next 3 days?

6 Comments

Three days

by AgentX86 - 2021-02-02 21:15:54

30bpm shouldn't be all that dangerous, at least in the short term.  My sleeping heart rate was down there for several months before I got a PM.  The thing to watch for is sinus pauses.  I had 3-second pauses for something like a year but they weren't too worried about them.  I had a near-syncope event but couldn't find anything obvious (other than the known problems) but after wearing an event monitor for just a few days, I had an 8-second pause.  It was three days after that that I could get a pacemaker.  Yes, it's scary but if it were a real emergency, they'd treat it as an emergency.  Many here have had this happen.

 

Hang in There!

by AnnaFerris - 2021-02-03 00:50:54

Mine was doing that at times before surgery and it was hard to move or even concentrate on anything.  I felt like I was walking in wet cement.  My heart goes out to you.  I got my pacemaker yesterday and it is a miracle.  I used the days before surgery to focus on making sure I had what I needed at hospital for the night after surgery (take a warm robe) and to make a list of questions to ask doctor and nurse.  It made me feel a little more in control.  Hugs!

take it easy

by Tracey_E - 2021-02-03 18:35:40

Don't drive, don't get near stairs. Take it easy and don't push it. Good luck!!!!

Does caffeine get your rate up? It's a very short term fix and not for everyone, but worth a try. 

Thanks for comments

by ControlsGuy - 2021-02-04 08:24:57

Maybe over dramatic, but every morning I wake up, I thank the good Lord above. One day to go! I am a techie so I already talked with the nurse and the tech guy from the PM company. Appears I am getting a Biotronik. Unfortunately, I have to stay overnight, but at least in a heart only facility. 

Overnight

by AgentX86 - 2021-02-04 16:20:14

I wouldn't worry at all about an overnight stay.  Hospitals in the US are one of the safest places to be right now.  They really do know what they're doing.  The only down side is that often there are no visitors allowed but it's only one night.  Bring a tablet and binge on Netflix.

You're ahead of the curve

by Persephone - 2021-02-04 17:04:37

It's great that you've been able to talk to the PM company and gain some direct knowledge prior to your implant.  Best wishes for your procedure, and please let us know how you're doing.

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.