PAC's and Bradycardia

[candi65]

Just off a 10 day stint with a heart monitor (24/7) with read outs sent to Doc. Told I have PAC's and Bradycardia. Wondering if a pacemaker is my only option. Anyone have similar experience? My past journey with Amiodarone makes me nervous about meds. I just want to be OK. not perfect just OK. I'm a 65 years young woman  electrically cardioverted from Afib 8 months ago, now normal SR.

[Wisconsin2007]

How low is the bradycardia?

[candi65]

Bradycardia in the 40's

[Jerry_NJ]

I think a HR in the 40s is ok if you are ok, that is not dizzy, and absolutely no passing out (fainting).  Some people have more efficient cardiovascular systems and they don't need a rest HR at 60+   I'm a big guy and (6'6", well I was when I was younger, like 65) I think a small physical size for my heart... well actually I have an enlarged left atrium due to a leaky mitral valve, which has since been repaired... well this post isn't about me, but I sometimes give personal data just to let you know you have empathetic people responding to your post. My problem due to AFib, is a too high HR... runs in the 80s with high dose Metoprolol.

[candi65]

I don't have fainting or dizzy. Perhaps I have "over meditated". Weekly accupuncture and massage in addtion to meditation and let's 'fess up here...1/4 tab 0.5mg klonopin daily could be keeping my HR slowish. Nevertheless the PAC's still need addressing. I quess I'll find out soon if meds or a pacemaker are my ammo against the problem.  Brand new to me cardiologist taking my case in 2 1/2 weeks. My former Cardi discharged me from his care when I refused to continue taking Amiodarone after really bad reaction to it after 6 months on it. The dreaded hair loss,weight loss,combo was just the start of the ugly stick that stuff whacks a person with...Hated It. Just my experience tho..maybe other folks are just fine with it. I'm taking no big meds at all now. Low dose aspirin, and Bio Identical hormone replacement drops. that's it. and as far as I'm concerned that's enough.

[Wisconsin2007]

How many PAC's are you having?

If you're healthy and you have simple bradycardia (not a bundle branch block or something else causing a lower heart rate), there may not be a problem with that HR, assuming that's your resting HR.  Unfortunately, I don't believe there are medications out there to speed up your heart rate - but if you are asymptomatic and all of your organs are getting sufficient supply of oxygen, it seems you may just have an efficient system - maybe some really big lungs that oxygenate your blood really well.  

So on to the PACs - in and of themselves, unless you are really having an issue with them, they aren't life threatening at all.  If you were to see a PAC on an EKG rhythm strip, you'd see that it has the same form and shape as every other heartbeat, just that it's coming early, and then there's often a pause, then a stronger beat.  Unless you are having thousands and thousands of these a day, I would think your cardiologist would not even be interested in treating them, because the dangers of just about any heart rhythm medication are going to be greater than the PACs.  If you're on Klonopin it tells me you're dealing with some stressors, and those stressors may also be causing your PACs.  Good on you for the meditation and acupuncture - are you also exercising?  If stress is the cause of the PACs, exercise may help - even a brisk walk for 20-30 minutes a day.

[candi65]

Thanks for the feedback Wisconsin2007. I really appreciate it. eveyone on the forum is great for reaching out and supporting one another. I probably have large lungs due to early exercise junkie status, running Jazzercise 2 times a day then step class, then weight training then yoga. I was pretty worried about the size of my tail back in the day. I went to classes every day of the week and just was a nutball in that department. Funny thing is that I never really lost any tailfeathers until I was diagnosed with AFib, cardioverted and put on the dreaded Amiodarone. I still walk for exercise and have maintained the weight loss(happy blood pressure numbers now). I was prescribed Klonopin as a result of the heart diagnosis a year ago June. I really began to freakout because it is all very new territory for me. Up until then I was pretty carefree and very Healthy. So I quess I'll keep on walkin' and see what the new Cardio guy says. Really I'd rather be snorkleing.