Breathlessness

Tough question..

by USMC-Pacer - 2024-05-09 20:04:32

..without knowing your condition. It could be as simple as hitting your upper limit. Devices come default at 125bpm (most). If you have a heart block, hitting your upper limit will push your heartrate down to 60-80 bpm.. <-- That doesn't feel good! Shortness of breath, burning legs, etc.. IF that is the issue, you EP can simply increase your upper limit to eliminate the issue. Some EPs like to wait until everything is well healed and seated before doing that. 

Do you monitor your heartrate?

Keep in mind the above is only one scenario. For people to respond with any accuracy, we need more information to help you.

Breathlessness

by Lurker (Doc DX) - 2024-05-10 00:00:08

Like Good Dog said in your other thread sounds like you rate response is turned off.

i felt like that till mine was turned on.  It may take a few try's to get it set right 

About a year ago mine was really cranked up and took me 3 months to get used to it, wow did it make a difference. They told they wont go any higher 

I can now go up a flight of stairs and walk to the back of house and  most of the time it won't bother me.

Doc DX

I see you have arrhythmias which can be a cause of breathlessness

by Gemita - 2024-05-10 05:19:08

Dear Lynn, 

I note from your previous post that you have a history of arrhythmias and ablations and that you are on medication which includes Flecainide.  It would not be at all unusual with an arrhythmia like Atrial Fibrillation (AF) or Atypical Flutter, to experience breathlessness.  Your heart rate seems to be well controlled, but the irregularity of rhythm from any AF can still cause uncomfortable symptoms.   

I note your doctors say all is well from your recent check up.  You could specifically ask them whether any episodes of AF or Flutter are occurring and how often?  Please be aware though that “slower arrhythmia episodes” may not be automatically stored or recorded by your pacemaker but they may still be happening and causing symptoms like breathlessness.  I always keep a note of times and dates of particularly symptomatic periods of arrhythmias to discuss with my doctors.  I sometimes use Kardia home monitoring during a difficult episode, in case my pacemaker has not stored it.  This evidence will help to correlate my symptoms to any arrhythmia present at that time.

I do not tolerate Flutter, AF or any other arrhythmia at all well, not at any speed (and AF may occur at a slow, normal or a fast speed).  It is the irregularity of rhythm that can be disabling, causing inconsistent blood supply and symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness, chest discomfort.

I note you were offered an AV Node ablation if your symptoms did not ease although this would need to be carefully considered as a last resort only when all other avenues have been exhausted.  I was offered an AV Node ablation but declined, choosing meds (Flecainide, Digoxin and Bisoprolol) initially.  Now only taking low dose Bisoprolol, so excellent recovery.  Only medication, ablation, cardioversion may help treat an arrhythmia like Flutter or AF, alhough both AF and atypical Flutter can be hard to cure.

I suspect you have a pacemaker to allow your doctors to safely give you heart rate lowering medication to control the symptoms from AF and Flutter without dropping your heart rate to dangerously low levels.  However, although a pacemaker can be set to prevent your heart rate from falling below the lower set rate, it cannot stop a fast, irregular arrhythmia or prevent any surges/falls in your blood pressure and all of these may certainly lead to symptoms like breathlessness.  I suspect your arrhythmias may still be the cause of your breathlessness?  In the presence of any arrhythmia, it can be difficult to get our pacemaker settings optimised.

. . . . . .

On the other hand, breathlessness can have other causes too, so please consult your doctors and perhaps ask for further checks?   You are still doing well though before you start to notice any symptoms.  Perhaps you need a review of your medication in case your condition has changed?  Please let us know how things go, but be happy with your progress so far

Breathlessness

by skigrl3 - 2024-05-10 06:38:18

I had shortness of breath for several weeks after getting my PM. It was especially concerning to me as I have always been moderately athletic (althought I do have controlled asthma). I was convinced it was a huge mistake and that the new PM was going to send me immediately into heart failure and that I would soon die. Once I got past my own drama,  it did self resolve over time with no settings change. 

Yours could be in need of a settings change. Regardless new symptoms need a dock in with your cardiologist. Hope you feel better soon.