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Well, after all of the problems that I had been experiancing over the last week or so, I finally went in to see my doctor on Friday. They of course checked my pacer and made some adjustments, and also adjusted my meds.
My doctor had originally thought that my only problem was low blood pressure and a low heart rate that was causing me to faint. After PM interrogation, she finds that I have sick sinus syndrome, and possibly tachycardia. This may be a dumb question, but is it possible to have both bradycardia and tachycardia? Could the fast heart rhythm also cause me to faint? The symptoms that I was having pre-PM have started to return, just not as severe as before. My PM is functioning just as it should, but I am using it a lot more than even my doctor anticipated. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Amanda

6 Comments

Questions

by SMITTY - 2008-01-14 03:01:53

Hello Amanda,

Yes you can have bradycardia and tachycardia but not at the same time. Below are definitions of each.

Bradycardia is a general term that describes a number of conditions in which the heart beats at an unusually slow rate (fewer than 50 to 60 beats per minute). Electrical impulses travel through a complex network of cells and fibers making up the heart’s circuitry, triggering a steady heartbeat. However, these impulses may be slowed, delayed or blocked altogether, resulting in bradycardia. This may be due to aging, medications, metabolic disturbances or pre-existing heart disease.

Tachycardia is a general term that describes a heart rate over 100 beats a minute. A normal adult heart beats between 60 and 100 times a minute. A heart rate over 100 beats a minute is called tachycardia. Some tachycardias are relatively harmless and need no treatment, but others can be life-threatening. Treatment for recurrent tachycardia can range from daily medication to open-heart surgery. A specific diagnosis is necessary before finding the right treatment for your tachycardia.

Since bradycardia is a slow heart beat and tachycardia is a fast heart beat, one will nullify the other. That is not to say that a heart cannot slip from one to the other almost instantly. The how and why that can happen, I’ll leave to your doctor to answer.

On your question, “Could the fast heart rhythm also cause me to faint?” My answer is absolutely it can. I had an episode of atrial fibrillation a year or so ago and I passed out. I have no idea what my rate went to, but I waas told the atrium went to from beating to more like quivering which effectively stopped my heart from pumping blood. The lucky ones just pass out.

Good luck,

Smitty

Me too

by emt500april - 2008-01-14 06:01:02

Hello Amanda,

Its funny you posted this, because i am having the same problems. I have had my pacemaker since feb. for Sinus node disease. I found out, im using my pacemaker pretty much 100%. I have been getting really sick lately. Feel like crap. I have passed out twice in the last 2 weeks. I currently dont have a doctor, because the one that put it in, just wont listen to me, i told him i passed out and only thing he said was he checked my pacemaker and said it was working fine and he didnt know why i didnt feel well. I constantly been going into weird rythms or skipping beats.

What kind of pacemaker do you have? Single lead?

I have been having periods of brady, and tachy too!
I really dont have any suggestions....i was just wondering if you could help me too!!!

Thanks

April

Brady-Tachy Syndrome

by ted - 2008-01-14 07:01:10

Smitty is always reliable authority. Look up "Brady-Tachy Syndrome" also known as "Sick Sinus Syndrome" also known as "Sinus Node Dysfunction". The condition is characterized by alternating rapid and slow heartbeat.

brady/tachy

by bini - 2008-01-15 08:01:11

Hi Amanda,
well as you know from messages, I have autonomic dysfunction. Part of this illness causes me to have a brady/tacky situation. With me Upon standing my rate increases to 30 beats...then if I stand to long it drops rapidly and that's when I faint.
I wish you all the best, I know how annoying and painful fainting can be. Good luck with everything and if you ever need to chat please email me!

Christine

Both?

by pacergirl - 2008-01-15 08:01:26

Hi Amanda,

Yes, you can have both. I do. I also have heart block and a murmur tossed in for good measure. hee hee

I didn't have the tachycardia until a few months after I got the PM. I have been lead to believe that it isn't that uncommon. At least that is what my Cardio Doc told me.

The tachycardia can cause you to faint and to be dizzy. Both of which I have had happen to me.

Be careful, listen to your body and learn all you can about this thing we call "heart issues"....

Take care, pacergirl

brady/tachy syndrome

by TKS - 2008-01-17 12:01:51

Amanda,

I was diagnosed with brady/tachy snydrome. My PM keeps my heart from beating too slowly, and I take Toprol XL to keep my heart from beating too fast. It's a juggling act but can be done. :-) I have never passed out-thank goodness!

If you look it up on the internet you can find a description of it, and as always, Smitty is a great source of info!

Theresa

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