Newie

I am just new to the forum as I just had my Boston scientific dual chamber pacemaker place two weeks ago today. Having the usual issues with getting used to feeling like they were horses galloping in my chest sometimes, I'm trying to figure all this out and how my life is going to change. I am a super super active girl and I'm so frayed that this is going to impact my life negatively. I do understand that this thing is keeping me alive lol. I am used to using my Apple Watch to do an EKG so that I can see my ectopic beats that I'm historic for having. I'm still having palpitations obviously with the pacemaker because they do not control palpitations.  Does anyone know of a smart watch that can perform an EKG with a pacemaker? They have told me that it's probably best for me not to use my apple smart watch. Any suggestions would be helpful


3 Comments

Apple watch

by AgentX86 - 2022-06-24 11:56:24

No current personal EKG gadgets are going to interpret EKGs with pacemaker artifacts.  They're not programmed to do it and the market is too small for all of the work that goes into it.  You can still capture the EKGs and interpret them yourself.  AFib is pretty easy to spot.  Aflutter, probably isn't possible except with the 6-lead Kardia.  SVTs should be pretty easy, though they'll probably be indistinguishable from flutter. You can also send the EKGs to your doctor for interpretation but that should (obviously) be kept to a minimum.

hi newbie

by Lavender - 2022-06-25 16:49:48

You truly are new to this ride. It can be a bit bumpy before it evens out and you feel *normal*. When I first got my Boston Scientific CRT-P, I felt like I had been drinking a pot of coffee every day. I had so many PVCs and felt like my heart was racing. I did not think I could stand it even as I was driven home from the hospital. I wanted it turned down and turned down now. I was so used to a very slow heartbeat. I was told that after I wore it for a month, it would be turned down. At first it is turned up higher until the leads attach more to the heart muscle. 

Sure enough, in a month, at my pacemaker check, they adjusted it and I felt so much relief. I still get PVCs and have a history of them, but they do not concern me. Sometimes it seems there are days with more and some days with none that I notice. 

At first, I was constantly concerned about my heart rate and blood pressure. Now, after more than a year with my device, I rarely am concerned about it. I trust it is doing its job, and I do have a Latitude monitor bedside which is supposed to be doing a quick scan of certain setup parameters. The cardiologist said they will be watching over and I can just ignore it and go on with my life. 

It took seven months for me to ignore it more. How you feel today is not the future for you. It is "just for now, not forever". You are so new to this. I resumed my normal life. If I notice PVCs, I just acknowledge that it is harmless and on I go. Please do not think that how you feel is the final word. hugs...gentle hugs

Pacemaker monitors- self use.

by Selwyn - 2022-06-26 08:46:54

Hi Newbie,

I am 2 weeks post op with a Boston Scientific. 

As stated above, there is not really a suitable pacemaker monitor for self use. Your Apple Watch is safe to use. If you need further reassurance ring the Boston Scientific people or read their pacemaker manual that is on-line. 

Personally, I monitor my heart rhythm with a KARDIA device ( not a watch). You can get a single lead read out or a 6 lead read out depending on the type of Kardia device model.  A single lead is fine for most people unless you really understand ECGs. (EKGs).

Your pacemaker will not cure your ectopic beat arrhythmia, as you state.

Now two weeks after insertion of my 'lump', I am back to cycling, ballroom dancing, and table-tennis. I am just waiting for the wound to heal before swimming. Be reassured, having a pacemaker will not stop you doing just about anything. You don't want to get too involved in introspection, though it is nice to record ( eg. from a Kardia you can print out a bit of ECG for your doctor/department) an arrhythmia episode for health care professionals to make a more realistic assessment and to monitor treatment effectiveness. Seeing is believing!

My advice is get back to exercise asap. and make sure the department adjusts your pacemaker settings for your activity. 

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic man.

Member Quotes

I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.