Aa
Feeling worse with new pacemaker
My 81 yr. old mother recently had an unsuccessful cardioversion done to conrrect her a fib. Then she had a cardiac ablation done. She felt better after it, but doc said she needed a new pacemaker and lead. That was completed a week ago, and she has been experiencing severe shortness of breath, nausea, edema, and extreme fatigue. Today our physician said she has chronic shortness of breath. The pulmonary doctor told us 2 momnthjs ago she had CHF. I am at a loss. The nurse practition said she needed more exercise. My mom is unable to exercise, as she is always short of breath. I know we do not live forever, but I want to make her comfortable with whatever time she has.
Thank you for your help.
We are both trying to figure out this all.
We were not told that he would be pacemaker dependent.
We just want to be better informed on this all.
We are both trying to figure out this all.
We were not told that he would be pacemaker dependent.
We just want to be better informed on this all.
I thought the pacemaker firing discussion between you and ed was pretty interesting. If a person dies and has a perfectly functioning pacemaker, the pacer will continue to fire, but the heart won't beat. I've seen this countless times working as a tech. You have the spikes, but no EKG Complex.
You may want to contact the doctor's office for consultation on the swollen ankle issue. If it is heart related, it would be wise not to wait very long. My doctor wants be told immediately for any peripheral swelling as it could be edema related to heart failing to pump effectively. Also, I was told to weigh myself every morning, and if there is an unexlained gain of a few pounds that could also be a warning. Becasue there has been recent heart related therapy, that should be a consideration to be more alert for any medical problem.
Hi and thanks for replying to my message. He has his first pacemaker clinic appointment next Tuesday. Do you think this can wait til then?
Best regards,
Grace
Best regards,
Grace
Yes, that could indicate the heart is not pumping efficiently, if it is a heart problem. My doctor always has an interest whether or not my ankles are swollen. Your husband should see his doctor to rule out any heart issues, etc.
Thanks for sharing, and if you have any further questions you are welcome to post. Take care.
Thanks for sharing, and if you have any further questions you are welcome to post. Take care.
Hi,
I am new here. My husband just had an av node ablation, dual chamber ppm put in a week ago. The procedure went well. this morning he awoke and his ankles are vsry swollen. Is this cause for alarm? Should i contact his doctor? Thanks in advance for your help. wishing everyone here the best.
Grace
I am new here. My husband just had an av node ablation, dual chamber ppm put in a week ago. The procedure went well. this morning he awoke and his ankles are vsry swollen. Is this cause for alarm? Should i contact his doctor? Thanks in advance for your help. wishing everyone here the best.
Grace
In my response the OP, I assumed the pacemaker was properly functioning at the level intended. Having a history of CHF prior to the unit installation, doesn't make sense to blame the unit for the continuing CHF. Now, you are saying the problem was a loose wire to the chest. You know or should know that a loose wire will not properly transmit an impulse, and you know or should know that some of us are as smart as you and in my opinion many are smarter based on reading your posts, and we also would be aware that a loose wire could be a transmission problem. So would the doctor...but the doctor and some of us on this forum know the pacemaker will not remedy CHF.
A properly functioning pacemaker will continue to pace as programmed, BUT that normal pace will not be a remedy to CHF...you may not understand that. That is my point and clearly made. You may not understand the physiology of the heart and its functionality; the concepts may be out side your knowledge so I give you the benefit of the doubt. I believe there was a shortcoming in your initial response based on your lack of knowledge of the heart physiology and a pacemaker, and you believe there was a loose wire and that is the cause of the CHF. That's my opinion, and now you want to make an excuse...no excuse is necessary.
A properly functioning pacemaker will continue to pace as programmed, BUT that normal pace will not be a remedy to CHF...you may not understand that. That is my point and clearly made. You may not understand the physiology of the heart and its functionality; the concepts may be out side your knowledge so I give you the benefit of the doubt. I believe there was a shortcoming in your initial response based on your lack of knowledge of the heart physiology and a pacemaker, and you believe there was a loose wire and that is the cause of the CHF. That's my opinion, and now you want to make an excuse...no excuse is necessary.
Not at all, you stated "The pacemaker will continue to deliver electical impulses to the heart". This is in my opinion an error. If a wire has detached, or the pacemaker has developed a fault, how can it deliver an electrical impulse to the heart. It could also be that the pacemaker is programmed incorrectly which is not uncommon.
I think in cases like this, it's best to ask the obvious question first to establish the avenue of possible causes. Maybe the pacemaker was checked, but it's best to find out first, that is obvious.
I think in cases like this, it's best to ask the obvious question first to establish the avenue of possible causes. Maybe the pacemaker was checked, but it's best to find out first, that is obvious.
I assume you are referring to my response to an issue, and you are again parsing my comments to justify your shortcoming answers that is really of no import to anyone but an attempt to annoy another member. It is of little consequence in this instance, but it is a pattern of yours for the few months you have been a participant on the forum.
The brilliant quote and your smartaleck remark about assumptions is not relevant. People make assumptions every day to make decissions. People aren't robots. My assumption on the subject of interest was to clarify my reasoning for my conclusion, and doesn't require any comment from you. You are nipping at the ankles, lurk and make unjustified remarks that sets a poor example for quests, readers and other members.
The brilliant quote and your smartaleck remark about assumptions is not relevant. People make assumptions every day to make decissions. People aren't robots. My assumption on the subject of interest was to clarify my reasoning for my conclusion, and doesn't require any comment from you. You are nipping at the ankles, lurk and make unjustified remarks that sets a poor example for quests, readers and other members.
"The pacemaker will continue to deliver electical impulses to the heart"
Even if a lead has detached?
"I assume the pacemaker functionality was/is evaluated by the recent visit"
That's simply the reason I asked the question. Is it wise to assume? confusious says that assumption leads to oversight, or was that me that said that? I can't remember.
Even if a lead has detached?
"I assume the pacemaker functionality was/is evaluated by the recent visit"
That's simply the reason I asked the question. Is it wise to assume? confusious says that assumption leads to oversight, or was that me that said that? I can't remember.
It seems CHF was diagnosed 2 months ago. Recent visit with doctor (possible doctor isn't aware of potential problems with pacemaker!), and I assume the pacemaker functionality was/is evaluated by the recent visit based on mother's symptoms.... Is it the pacemaker or chronic congested heart failure!
A pacemaker, even if functioning correctly, cannot always prevent worsening heart failure and death. The pacemaker will continue to deliver electical impulses to the heart, but if the heart muscle is not responding, or the impulses are not being transmittted normally in
the heart, the heart may stop beating altogether or may be unable to beat strongly enough to provide enough blood flow to the brain, and death can result. Other problems with heart failure that can lead to death include a build-up of fluid in the lungs called pulmonary edema,
which can prevent oxygen from getting into the blood from the lungs.
A pacemaker, even if functioning correctly, cannot always prevent worsening heart failure and death. The pacemaker will continue to deliver electical impulses to the heart, but if the heart muscle is not responding, or the impulses are not being transmittted normally in
the heart, the heart may stop beating altogether or may be unable to beat strongly enough to provide enough blood flow to the brain, and death can result. Other problems with heart failure that can lead to death include a build-up of fluid in the lungs called pulmonary edema,
which can prevent oxygen from getting into the blood from the lungs.
Ed34 raises a good question. I have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and a pacemaker was inserted last year. After the pacer was inserted, I had all the symptoms your mother experienced, and my doctor and also the manufacturer's rep of the pacer checked how it was programmed. In my case, reprogramming it helped me instantly. I would suggest checking both with the doctor and the pacer manufacturer.
QUOTE: "Today our physician said she has chronic shortness of breath. The pulmonary doctor told us 2 months ago she had CHF. I am at a loss".
For some insight, chronic shortness of breath is a symptom of congested heart failure. I had congested heart failure 6 years ago, and the problem is due to the heart not strong enough to adequately pump into circulation over 50% of the oxygenated blood received from the lungs. CHF happens when something less than 29% of the blood received from lungs to pumped into circulation and blood backs up into the lungs and fluids leak into the lung tissues causing congestion (edema). I was in ICU for several days to get the appropriate oxygen level, etc.
Currently, my heart has returned to normal size and my heart is pumping adequately. What helped me was the proper medication, exercise, diet, etc.
Appropriate treatment: Your mother should be on a dieurtic for a few months, medication to dilate vessels that reduced the heart's workload, etc. The shortness of breath is also a symptom of the heart not pumping enough oxygenated blood into circulation. The heart beats faster and respiration increases.
Maybe you should have your mother see the doctor and get some relief from the lung congestion. No one can exercise when they have lung edema! And if medication isn't effective, an increase or change of medication may help. It has been 2 months, and no relief and it may be appropriate to have the hospital remove the fluids an adjust the oxygen level. That would help your mother feel better and reduce the fatigue.
For some insight, chronic shortness of breath is a symptom of congested heart failure. I had congested heart failure 6 years ago, and the problem is due to the heart not strong enough to adequately pump into circulation over 50% of the oxygenated blood received from the lungs. CHF happens when something less than 29% of the blood received from lungs to pumped into circulation and blood backs up into the lungs and fluids leak into the lung tissues causing congestion (edema). I was in ICU for several days to get the appropriate oxygen level, etc.
Currently, my heart has returned to normal size and my heart is pumping adequately. What helped me was the proper medication, exercise, diet, etc.
Appropriate treatment: Your mother should be on a dieurtic for a few months, medication to dilate vessels that reduced the heart's workload, etc. The shortness of breath is also a symptom of the heart not pumping enough oxygenated blood into circulation. The heart beats faster and respiration increases.
Maybe you should have your mother see the doctor and get some relief from the lung congestion. No one can exercise when they have lung edema! And if medication isn't effective, an increase or change of medication may help. It has been 2 months, and no relief and it may be appropriate to have the hospital remove the fluids an adjust the oxygen level. That would help your mother feel better and reduce the fatigue.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
