Feeling the Pacemaker working

I have had a pacemaker for seven years with no problems. Over the last few nights my heart suddenly beats harder. It does not last long. The pacemaker was put in for complete heart block. It is just odd that I have never felt this. Anyone out there had same problem?

Is this normal?

6 Comments

Clarification...

by lbdina - 2013-11-28 03:11:53

Juliet,

Just to clarify, I do not have heart block. Electrical signals seem to progress fine to my ventricles when they are generated in my atrium. My problem is sinus node dysfunction, bradycardia, etc. Sometimes, my sinus node slows or completely stops sending signals (sinus arrest), so my PM's rate drop response feature is designed to respond.

I'm not sure if you have a SA node problem or not. If your sinus node is working properly, something different may be occurring. I'm very confident my previous post describes my situation accurately. Just wanted to clarify because in wouldn't want to lead you astray.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Lou

Thanks

by juliet - 2013-11-28 10:11:04

It wakes me up so cant be anxiety. Will talk to my doctor if I can get an appointment!

Feeling Your Heart Beating

by Butterflyin2 - 2013-11-28 10:11:05

I have felt my heart beat like you describe lying down at night in bed ready to go to sleep. It doesn't necessarily beat fast, but I can feel it beating as if it would beat right out ofy chest! I am not a doctor, just a pacemaker recipient but from what I have read that this sensation can be attributed to one or a few things. First, palpitations second, anxiety and third for an unknown reason. So, the only real advice I can give you is to tell your doctor about it. I don't believe it is uncommon. I myself had this sensation before I had the PM implanted. Go get it checked out.

Yup

by lbdina - 2013-11-28 12:11:13

Juliet,

Unlike you, I do not have heart block. I do have a rate drop response feature in my PM, so when it detects a sudden drop in heart rate, the PM is programmed to quickly speed up my heart rate for a set number of cycles. Then, it gradually slows down to a normal rate. This is to help counteract a drop in blood pressure, thus preventing a syncopal episode. Before my PM implant, I had a lot of nighttime meltdowns.

I will often be laying in bed, when suddenly I can feel this rapid increase in heart rate. At first, it alarmed me, but it have gotten used to it and don't pay it much attention. I suspect many of these are false alarms, but I'd rather have that than one of my nighttime meltdowns. There is no way for me to know whether the PM has saved me from a real event or not.

I don't know if this is what you are experiencing or not. Have your settings been adjusted recently?

Thanks

by juliet - 2013-11-28 12:11:55

Yes that exactly what is happening! Your description is perfect. No have had no changes to PM but will try to get an appointment but feel reassured ! It has woken me a couple of times at night when the rate is most likely to go down. I only had complete heart block once but I collapsed then developed multiple organ failure ! Hence the Pm. Thank you

Thanks

by juliet - 2013-11-28 12:11:55

Yes that exactly what is happening! Your description is perfect. No have had no changes to PM but will try to get an appointment but feel reassured ! It has woken me a couple of times at night when the rate is most likely to go down. I only had complete heart block once but I collapsed then developed multiple organ failure ! Hence the Pm. Thank you

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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