Intermittent Full Heart Block

[Konopka1955]

Dear Doctor,  I have a dual chamber defibrilator/pacemaker - I know the settings are min. 50 and max 165 on my pacemaker - and its suppose to record anything over 10 seconds long.  I was going into intermittent full heart block - before he programmed my 'setting's for rate response..

1.  Is it possible to go into full heart block when all your different settings on the pacemaker is programmed on ?
2. If I have a shortness of breath and I can feel 'something' in my electrical activity but yet I don't think its a 'tachy' arrhythmia - can it be detected on my interrogation?  If not, how could I get the events detected?    
3. I could ask for a holter monitor - but I'm allergic to the stickies something terrible.  Could you tell me about a "loop monitor" and does it record 'all' abnormal electrical activity.  
4.  I can't always breath when I get to the 'top' of a stairway and my legs feel very weak.  This doesn't happen all the time - but I can also usually feel some electrical activity when it does.  Could an abnormal electrical activity be causing the weakness in my legs?  What do you think would cause this and is it worth mentioning to my doc..  
5.  If I can have full heart block one day and have VT's another day - how do they handle this situation?  Could a ICD programming alone take care of this?

Thank You
Marilyn (runner)

[Cleveland Clinic]

marilyn,

thanks for the post.

1. Is it possible to go into full heart block when all your different settings on the pacemaker is programmed on ?

Yes, but the back up rate of your pacemaker would ensure your heart continued to beat at the appropriate rate. If the settings are right, you shouldn't even notice.

2. If I have a shortness of breath and I can feel 'something' in my electrical activity but yet I don't think its a 'tachy' arrhythmia - can it be detected on my interrogation? If not, how could I get the events detected?

Your pacemaker tracks alot. It is not an event monitor though. So if you are having episodes, it would be helpful on interrogation to see what your underlying rhythm is doing, how often you are pacing, etc...For single events you would need an event recorder to signal when your episode happens.

3. I could ask for a holter monitor - but I'm allergic to the stickies something terrible. Could you tell me about a "loop monitor" and does it record 'all' abnormal electrical activity.

There are different forms of monitors. Most all, except for implantable monitors use an adhesive for the leads.  There are some variations on what can be used to affix the leads. Beofre pursuing this option, I would give your pacemaker interrogation a try, if you are having episodes that are related to your pacing and underlying rhythm, odds are they would be caught on the monitor.

4. I can't always breath when I get to the 'top' of a stairway and my legs feel very weak. This doesn't happen all the time - but I can also usually feel some electrical activity when it does. Could an abnormal electrical activity be causing the weakness in my legs? What do you think would cause this and is it worth mentioning to my doc..

No. There would be no effect from your pacemaker on the legs. If a physical exam including a neurologic exam is normal, I would assume that these episodes are more conditioning related.

5. If I can have full heart block one day and have VT's another day - how do they handle this situation? Could a ICD programming alone take care of this?

Yes. If you have an abnormal rhythm such as VT, the pacemaker/ICD would detect the rhythm and treat it apporpriately. The ICD and pacemaker functions are separate. Thus, the pacemaker can treat the heart block while the ICD can treat the VT. The sensors (the leads are the same) the device controls the therapy.


good luck

[Gaspipe]

Not to be rude but isn't there a time frame limit to the frequency of posts?

[Konopka1955]

Ooops your right - I totally forgot about that.  I apologize.  How rude of me..  Doctor (PLEASE) disregard my question..  
Konopka1955

[knicks30]

no i think her question should be answered. At least it's a question where there is more knowledge put in. Usually when people post questions its usually the same ol' thing "OMG i have PVC'S!!" it's so boring.

[Gaspipe]

I agree it is a good question but in fairness to all the forum has rules for a reason so different people can have an opportunity to post and not only those who know the best time to post to get a question through. PS you may think PVCs are boring but I'll bet good money a lot of people who visit this forum don't!

[Marilyn (runner)]

Thank You for answering my questions.  You've definently given me alot more knowledge to work with.  

After I sent the post I remembered years ago when I first went on meds and had to have my pacemaker programmed on that I couldn't walk upstairs as my legs got very weak.  I spoke to the Guidant Rep about that - he said: the reason my legs get weak and I can't breath sometimes is because my pacemaker doesn't comprehend the 'upward' motion  and therefore it does not meet my body's exertional needs.. He suggested I run alittle before I go up the stairs to kind of get it 'warmed' (extra beats) for the flight !!!  

Thank You
Marilyn

[dee gee]

In all fairness we should not allow one person (by changing your nickname) to monopolize the rare occasion that is offered to ask questions.  If a person wants to "chat" in the comment section this could be helpful to others, but to post and use up a question and disregard the rules is not fair.  There are others from around the WORLD who have questions (regardless of the subject like PVCs) who are being cheated of this opportunity.  If the person is not educated or well informed of their medical condition shouldn't they have the privileged to ask the doctor as well.  Let's not abuse a good thing that is offered to us FREE and so many of us find helpful.

[Konopka1955]

Dear dee gee,   I'm sorry but I don't think I've 'monopolized' this board in any way..  It took me several months to post that first question.  I posted the second question without realizing it.  I don't use various nick names when I post either.  Just my first and last name.  

If you'll note there was only 'one' question posted that day.. So I did not prevent someone else from posting.  

Now don't you worry - I shall not ask another question for a very long time.  

Marilyn Konopka  born in 1955  :-)

[pms_barbie]

How thoughtless to say something like that.  For those of us that suffer from pvc's anything we can learn about them may be of some help.  Any one that ask a question here has real concerns or they wouldnt be posting.  To be little someones question as boring was just plain rude.

[njrob]

"It's so boring"...People don't post here for your entertainment. Talk about boring- try watching a Knicks game.

[knicks30]

All im saying is that every day i come into this forum to see what the next 2 people have to say it's usually about PVC's. PVC's is not going to kill you!! How many times has the Doctor said "its ok ...you'll find MANY people suffering from these palpatations." I mean check out the search engine instead of posting a question. What if it is a eager question about something more important and serious than PVC's? What if the person has been trying to ask a question for so long about something really serious or life-threatning and can't post the qurestion because somebody is posting a poor excuse for help because they suffer from PVC's? Ever think about that?

I happen to find that Runner's case here is really serious and important that she needs to ask more questions. I think if you suffer from PVC's go to the search engine and look up keywords palpatations or Premature Ventricular Contractions...is that so hard to ask??

And to the last poster who said watch a boring knicks game...may i ask how old are you? Cause you sound like your 15 year old kid that hates himself.

[pms_barbie]

wow no need in everyone getting bent out of shape.  Its like this some people with pvcs' have more than just pvc's going on with their hearts.  Secondly I would hope anyone that is in a life or death situation wouldnt wait on  being able to post a question.  I would assume they are smart enough to seek help.  The forum itself asked that members restrain from asking questions to close together.  To give everyone a chance to ask a question.  Regardless if you think they are stupid or boring or whatever.  If they are so boring dont read them.  This board was meant for general advice not to replace our drs opinons.  It    wasnt meant as a free 2nd or 3rd opinon.

[knicks30]

you know what...lets forget this whole thing happened.

So therefore i apologize to everyone that i offended.

[pms_barbie]

Sounds good to me.  We should support each other instead of argue :)

[Marilyn (runner)]

Dear Knicks,  I'm so sorry that others hammered you from your response to my 'extra' post.  I think it was definently intentional to single you out and harass you.

I deeply appreciate your post in my defense.  Your obviously a very sweet and caring person.  :-)

Best Wishes
Marilyn  

[pms_barbie]

I wasnt trying to sing knicks out.  I was ofvfended about the remark he made about the pvc's.  I was just expressing that everyone that post here thinks they have a real problem.  I read your post about pvcs turning into vtach so to me its very reasonable for people to get concerned over them.  I didnt even care that you had posted too soon because you had a very viable question.  I dont think anyone here ask questions that are stupid I just think everyone wants some king of an answer to help them feel better.  I dont think anyones post should be called boring or made fun of.  Sorry thats just my opinon.  Best wishes :)

[Marilyn (runner)]

Did ANYONE NOTICE that a post by "Cookie2" posted on September 16th and AGAIN on October 1st, 2004 !!    

Which is FINE with ME - but, I find it AMAZING THAT NO ONE seemed to 'comment' on that !!!   I guess it depends on 'who' you are..  Thanks for your support..

Marilyn (runner)