New Pacemaker

Racing heart with a little dizziness

by Gemita - 2022-08-30 13:06:27

CurtL, It can be normal to experience heart racing immediately following a pacemaker implant because our heart has been disturbed by the procedure and will throw out a few palpitations while it is healing.  Dizziness is more of a concern and may be caused by your racing heart, especially if your heart rate goes too high.  

Although not urgent, I would let your cardiologist/EP know that you are getting palpitations with dizziness and let them decide what needs to be done, if anything.  They may ask you to submit a download, so that they can check your data to see what might be happening.

I welcome you to the Club and hope that you will make good progress once you are over the initial few hurdles.  I certainly had palpitations (racing heart) immediately after pacemaker implant.

Racing heart

by CurtL - 2022-08-30 13:43:28

Thank you, Gemita.  I have a follow-up on Thursday and I will address this.

Dehydration?

by Lavender - 2022-08-30 14:31:58

When I first got the pacemaker, I had a couple episodes of dizziness. My cardiologist said we need much more water than before with the healing and increased heart rate. Drink more water! 
 

The racing heart is just probably you getting used to the new faster beat. New pacemakers are generally turned up to beat faster until your leads are healed around with fibrous tissue. They turn it down at the one month pacemaker check. 
 

Your cardiologist can tell you more on Thursday but meanwhile it's probably nothing wrong. Sounds like what most of us experienced with our new devices. 

Dehydration

by CurtL - 2022-08-30 18:52:16

Thanks, Lavender!  That was the answer I wanted.

You’re doing fine

by Lavender - 2022-08-31 09:26:13

Be sure to use pillows to help comfort you when you sleep. Take walks outside. Be in nature and around animals as much as possible. You are in rest and recovery mode and it's serious business. I like to drink an herbal tea and sit on the porch watching the flora and fauna. I'm also known to put on sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses and sit outside to cloud gaze. 
 

Be very good to yourself and create a peace zone. Your body is busy healing. 
 

No worrying in advance 😎

Probably on default settings?

by LondonAndy - 2022-09-04 07:15:49

I don't disagree with any of the earlier answers, but just to add: I seem to recall that when my device was inserted about 9 years ago it started off on the default settings, and things like "rate response" (where the device adjusts the rate of beats depending on your activity level) may not be turned on yet. Settings are tweaked at the first checkup.