Feeling confused

I'm a 53 year old male and I've had my pacemaker for 2 weeks now. I was admitted to the hospital with critical Heart Block and I also have high blood pressure. All of this is brand new. Started passing out on March 1st of this year, where we found my BP at 210/115 and started BP meds. Brought my BP to 130/90 within 3 weeks but still passing out. After many tests cardiologist says to the hospital you need a pacemaker now and we need to monitor you 24/7. My heart was stopping multiple times from 4 - 10 seconds at a time. 
 

Pacemajer placed in on May 24 and still today don't feel 100%. Surgery site healing nicely, but still don't feel normal, I know what's normal. Can anyone tell me what I should expect? Should I be feeling like I want to run a marathon by now or is this normal. Sorry for the possible dumb question. Getting ready to head back on the stage to perform on Saturday so hoping a 2 hour concert won't kill me lol. 

5 Comments

A pacemaker cannot fix everything and it will take time for you to get used to pacing

by Gemita - 2024-06-14 02:50:57

Cadillacman, what to expect two weeks after receiving your pacemaker is a difficult question to answer because as you will appreciate each one of us will have our own unique heart condition, our own unique way of responding to pacing or to any medication we may be taking to control high heart rates or high blood pressure.  

While a pacemaker is able to effectively treat heart block and a slow heart beat (bradycardia), a simple pacemaker will not be able to treat high or low blood pressure or to stop a high heart rate, so you may still need other treatments like medication.   Sometimes blood pressure medication or other meds for other health conditions can cause symptoms like lightheadedness and may even require some pacemaker settings adjustments.

So no two weeks on, you may not feel like running a marathon.  Healing can take anything from 6 weeks to several months, particularly if you are a patient who requires pacemaker settings adjustments, medication adjustments, lifestyle adjustments to help with your heart and other health conditions like hypertension.  

A two hour concert on Saturday?  What exactly are you planning to do on stage?  Are you a singer or do you play an instrument?  Vibrations and loud music can certainly affect some of us with pacemakers.  I can get tachycardia for example when exposed to loud vibratory sounds.

What symptoms are you getting?  I would call your doctors if you are having difficult symptoms?  You should not be feeling dizzy or faint for example or feeling as though you are getting worsening palpitations. 

My heart rate and rhythm took several months to settle and to get used to pacing.  My doctors didn’t want to make any changes to settings or medication until things settled down naturally.  Don’t forget your heart and you have been traumatised by your implant procedure.  At 3 months they may make some settings adjustments, but I would speak to them before if you are concerned and do tell them what you plan to do on Saturday at the concert!  Stay safe and welcome to the Club

read in your bio about the gas after eating

by new to pace.... - 2024-06-14 03:10:31

In the beginning i had that, solved that gas bubble raising with taking a   Beano supplement  just before  eating foods that cause gas.  The other way is to avoid  those foods completely or certainly every day.  Keep a food journal of all the foods you consume each meal and snacks. To see which cause the most gas.  For me it is Boccolii, Cauliflower, cabbage and other heartburn foods.  Also eating too much foods or drinks with sugar can also cause gas.

new to pace

Confused

by piglet22 - 2024-06-14 04:57:22

Hello 

You are just at the start of your pacemaker journey.

Heart block -19 years here - is relatively common and very fixable with a PM (pacemaker).

You need to psychologically get used to your new situation and being under the care of cardiologists probably for the rest of your life.

I'm currently waiting for device number three, others have had more for much longer time.

It's going to take time to get used to and for a while you will need to choose your activities.

As Gemita says, the PM will fix the main problem, then it might need tweaks over time.

I would advise getting to know your new signs like heart rate, blood pressure and possibly oxygen.

Keep records.

Heed any advice you get about suitable and unsuitable activities. Bear in mind you have some sophisticated equipment in your chest, so look after it.

Good luck 

healing

by Tracey_E - 2024-06-14 10:59:00

As the others have said, it takes time to bounce back. It's a minor surgery, but it's still a shock to the body and takes time to heal.

Are you by chance on a beta blocker for your blood pressure? They can cause a lot of side effects. 

Caddilac man

by athena123 - 2024-06-14 18:37:50

Everyone here has experienced pretty  much everything thats going on with you presently. It does get better. Remember, as Tracy has said you just finished minor surgery so give it at least a couple months for normalcy. keep your blood pressure in check, watch your diet, plenty of electrolytes and magnesium, but not  oxide as Agent will attest to.  Keep your anxiety in check and live your life. The fine people in this group will aways facilitate the best advise for you. rock on   

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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