Aa
Pacemaker
I have episodes of very fast heart rates (200+) and also have at times, a very low heart rate, (as low as 32). I also have PVCs.
My last holter showed I had an average of 102 PVCs per hour, 62 of them were in pairs. I have not been able to tolerate medications in the past because my heart rate goes too slow. I have had an EP study with an ablation done about 3 years ago and it was unsuccessful. I went to see a pacemaker specialist and he thinks I should try more medications. If I don't tolerate the medications, then he is talking about possibly ablating the AV node and I would be totally pacemaker dependant.
The symptoms I am having are dizziness, fatigue, nausea, ringing in my ears, I usually start shaking when I have the episodes of fast heart rates. These seem to come on when I am moving around, especially if I am moving my arms. I was told before that these are SVTs and are not life threating. One cardiologist told me to just live with it. I work full time and it takes all of my energy. I don't have the energy to do other things in my life that I would like to do. I guess my question is, would a pacemaker make me feel better? I am 42 years old and the doctors think this would be too risky at my age. My heart rate usually stays in the 40s to 50s. Is this low enough to make me feel tired all of the time?
Also, I had open heart surgery for constrictive paricarditist, 22 years ago and they completely stripped the paricardium. Could this have anything to do with my arrhymias? I also have a mild bicuspid aortic stenosis, but the doctors tell me that this has nothing to do with the arrhythmias.
I just want to feel better. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
My last holter showed I had an average of 102 PVCs per hour, 62 of them were in pairs. I have not been able to tolerate medications in the past because my heart rate goes too slow. I have had an EP study with an ablation done about 3 years ago and it was unsuccessful. I went to see a pacemaker specialist and he thinks I should try more medications. If I don't tolerate the medications, then he is talking about possibly ablating the AV node and I would be totally pacemaker dependant.
The symptoms I am having are dizziness, fatigue, nausea, ringing in my ears, I usually start shaking when I have the episodes of fast heart rates. These seem to come on when I am moving around, especially if I am moving my arms. I was told before that these are SVTs and are not life threating. One cardiologist told me to just live with it. I work full time and it takes all of my energy. I don't have the energy to do other things in my life that I would like to do. I guess my question is, would a pacemaker make me feel better? I am 42 years old and the doctors think this would be too risky at my age. My heart rate usually stays in the 40s to 50s. Is this low enough to make me feel tired all of the time?
Also, I had open heart surgery for constrictive paricarditist, 22 years ago and they completely stripped the paricardium. Could this have anything to do with my arrhymias? I also have a mild bicuspid aortic stenosis, but the doctors tell me that this has nothing to do with the arrhythmias.
I just want to feel better. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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I too have a heartrate above 220 when doing anything above a fast walk. I do not get any symptems though, outside of a wave of fatigue. I wouldn't have known of th rate if I hadn't had bought a fitness style heart monitor. When I wore the holter it had gotten quite fast, so I was put on 50 of topral. It was never checked again until I bought my own monitor, at which point I when up to 100 mg and dijoxin. I hasn't helped but the doctors say if I'm not noticing any side effects. As an active 36 year old male, I'm inclined to ignore it if the doctor's are willing to, but does anybody know at what heart rate the rythem will go into v-fib. I'm already in a-fib, which will not convert. I have avoided solo activities that take my into remote places. Is there anythin I should push the doctor's toward or rrelax and figure 230 isn't a truly bad thing.
I am a 46-year-old woman and have a defibrillator/pacemaker implant. My pacemaker works 90% of the time; my heart kicks in the other 10%. In case you need reassurance, I don't even notice the pacing and cannot tell when I am being paced. My pacemaker was originally set to kick in when my heart rate got down to 50, but I felt terrible at a heart rate that low--shaky and weak--so they turned it up, eventually settling on 75. I feel much better at that rate, so do think your low heart rate could be causing some of your problems.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Cheryl,
Your question illustrates why computers will never be able to take over for doctors - there is no clear black and white solution to your questions. Much of the answer will depend on the judgement of the physician. Therefore, the best answer I can give you is to find a physician with a good deal of experience, and one you trust and follow his advice. Usually the local University medical center will have doctors with the most experience in dealing with complex issues.
Ablation of the AV node with pacemaker placement is one solution to highly symptomatic palpitations that are coming from the atrium. It would solve the feeling of rapid heart rates and may or may not aleviate your other symptoms. There are some potential problems with pacemakers however and these risks must be weighed against the benefits. A second attempt at finding the source of the arrhythmia with ablation of the source is a second option. Medications do have side effects but are a good option for some people. Your prior surgery could be part of the reason you are having these arrhythmias but it would be difficult to say for sure.
The approach of trying medications first before a pacemaker is reasonable and may be worth a try. Ultimately however the choice is up to you.
Your question illustrates why computers will never be able to take over for doctors - there is no clear black and white solution to your questions. Much of the answer will depend on the judgement of the physician. Therefore, the best answer I can give you is to find a physician with a good deal of experience, and one you trust and follow his advice. Usually the local University medical center will have doctors with the most experience in dealing with complex issues.
Ablation of the AV node with pacemaker placement is one solution to highly symptomatic palpitations that are coming from the atrium. It would solve the feeling of rapid heart rates and may or may not aleviate your other symptoms. There are some potential problems with pacemakers however and these risks must be weighed against the benefits. A second attempt at finding the source of the arrhythmia with ablation of the source is a second option. Medications do have side effects but are a good option for some people. Your prior surgery could be part of the reason you are having these arrhythmias but it would be difficult to say for sure.
The approach of trying medications first before a pacemaker is reasonable and may be worth a try. Ultimately however the choice is up to you.
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