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pacemaker and a fib

President2012 profile image
10 Replies

I have had paroxysmal A Fib since 2001. In recent times I developed sick sinus syndrome and long pauses. In March this year I was given a dual chamber pacemaker. I have had no A Fib episodes since until this morning when I woke up with it thumping away. Disappointing but I suppose it had to happen. My question relates to my heart rate. In the past I used a Kardia to obtain my heart rate but I am told it is unreliable if you have a pacemaker. A BP monitor is also unreliable so how can I check it? Using my finger on my wrist or carotid nerve and trying to count is difficult. I do not think it is too fast so I am not unduly concerned. Should I just forget about it. ? Thanks.

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President2012
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BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Probably. Pulse check is the only reliable way and of course that depends to some extent on your pacemaker. You do not mention having an AV node ablation so I suspct you have been very lucky so far. Maybe CDreamer will comment as I know she has a dual chamber (three lead ) whilst mine is only two lead.

President2012 profile image
President2012 in reply toBobD

thanks Bob. No, I did not have an AV node ablation. Before getting the pacemaker I was having episodes every five or six days so six weeks was good. I usually convert in 8 to 12 hours it will be interesting to see what happens. I would be happy with that kind of interval between episodes but I am possibly kidding myself.

baba profile image
baba

I have a single lead pacemaker for similar reason. I’m in permanent AF with heart rate between 60-90 mostly, goes higher when exercising, not sure how high as I don’t check.

I still use Kardia occasionally if I’m feeling a bit unwell, just to check. Mine is set to kick in if heart rate drops below 50.

President2012 profile image
President2012 in reply tobaba

thanks. Mine is set at 60 and was told it does not pace over 130

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

If you feel ok the speed is irrelevant. Some people can be in AF at 170 and have no idea and others feel dreadful at 100. So forget about it ❤️‍🩹

President2012 profile image
President2012 in reply toBuffafly

many thanks. I converted to NSR at 11.30 so the episode lasted 7.5 hours. I am also on Multaq which helps.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I still use Kardia & Apple Watch and I would say that in my experiences yes all these devices may be unreliable because the pacemaker may cause interference- but that depends upon the pacemaker an if whether or not you are pacemaker dependent, the type of pacemaker and other variables. For me, with my condition & type of pacemaker with very occasional AF it’s reliable enough and corresponds with my pacemaker readouts of dates and duration of episodes.

Best wishes

President2012 profile image
President2012 in reply toCDreamer

thanks for that. I did actually try the Kardia afterwards. There was a lot of noise but watching the heart symbol it did seem to beat to what so was feeling. It said it was possible AF. I would be very happy if I get away with an episode every couple of months. I used to get them every week. I think the pacemaker stopped two possible A Fibs over the past couple of months. I felt a bit of a gap and the the PM kicked on with three or four fast beats and things went back to normal. They are amazing machines. Keep well.

mjames1 profile image
mjames1

You can try an inexpensive stethoscope, that you or someone else can use to listen to your heart rate.

Jim

President2012 profile image
President2012 in reply tomjames1

thanks.

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