Issues after pacemaker implantation.

[RooMago222]

I have had a av intermittent heart blockage my whole life. It was only a partial block until about 6 or 7 Years ago. When under the age of 16 my resting pulse was around 58 bpm. This rate slowly kept declining and for the past 2 years prior to surgery 30 bpm was normal for me . On August 18th of 2015, I had a pacemaker implanted at the age of 26. Before this I had the shortness of breath, light headed, dizzy, major lack of energy, always tired, terrible chest pains. After my implant surgery I still get chest pains but not s often now. However, my dizziness and lightheadedness seems to be happening more intense now. Still get shortness of breath. And now I have no stamina at all. I walk to my mailbox and back and my pulse Is slamming in my whole body and I'm out of breath and sometimes dizzy and lightheaded.sometimes I will cough and it makes my heart race so fast I'll get dizzy. They always say at my checkups everything looks good but my nurse practitioner doesn't seem to care about my issues. She just wants to do my checkup and send me on my way. And I don't see my heart doctor until June for the first time since surgery. Any ideas why this is happening? I've been trying so hard to get back to a halfway normal routine but it's been impossible. I just can't get anywere. All I want is to be working again and have a normal life again! Thanks in advance! :)

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry you have such a long delay to talk with your heart doctor (cardiologist? or surgeon?).  I think it unusual that there is such a long delay in follow up at the doctor level.  I think I would raise the "Red Flag" with my doctor to get an earlier appointment, even consider the emergency room.   Not trying to frighten, but the symptoms you describe (I do not wear a pacemaker.. so I am not giving direct experience) should be checked beyond a "technical check".  

The check you have must show you pacemaker is keeping your HR above some minimum, what is that minimum?  You need to check your own HR and write it down and why.. walk to the mail box racing, sitting and fully resting (how low does it go?) that sort of thing.

Above based on my understanding of what a pacemaker is used for, and with that limited information I share the above, not medical advice.