Has anyone who has had pacemaker fitted for sick sinus syndrone found that it has helped or eliminated PAF without taking beta blockers?

[CDreamer]

My husband is trying to decide whether or not to take prescribed beta blockers and is interested in anyone with similar condition and their experience. Please only respond to this question, thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Pacemakers do not affect AF for a very simple reason. AF takes place in the left atria. --the top left chamber. Pace makers work on the left ventricle-- the bottom chamber. Whilst they ensure that your pulse is stable .you may still feel the fibrillation going on. .

Bob

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

Actually 2 leads were inserted, one for the ventricles which are obviously the most important, but also into the atria.

[Varina8]

I have a DDDR pacemaker fitted with two electrodes in heart. I have up to 90 % atrial pacing. I have sick sinus with bradycardia and PAF with high frequency and very symptomatic. I had pace maker fitted before beta blockers were started and I think it has reduced the side effects of betablockers.

[realdon]

My understanding is that "Sick sinus syndrome" is a blanket term that can cover a range of sinus related problems, including bradycardia. I have bradycardia and AF, and I had a pacemaker inserted last year because I was experiencing blackouts due to the combination of AF and my (low) resting heartbeat and low blood pressure. Before the pacemaker was installed, I did not tolerate beta blockers well because they exacerbated the problem by lowering the normal heart rate (when in sinus rhythm) even further. Since the pacemaker was installed I have been taking beta blockers with no problem thus far.

[Varina8]

Maybe I should also have said that because I was just waiting for the beta blocking bisoprolol to start I don't know if pm alone should have done something to PAF. I suppose, not.

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

Hi

Bob you can have. Dual chamber pacemakers which pace atria as well, I know have one of those. But you are right once it is in and set will be fine to take beta blockers. My pm was put in so that I could take the drugs without any risk of my heart rate getting too slow. You should go ahead with the beta lockers

Eileen

[Arbroathsmokie]

Hello CDreamer. From what you say I seem to be in a similar situation to your husband.My pm was fitted six weeks ago for sss. I was prescribed 1.25mg of Bisoprolol which was increased to 2.5mg after two weeks. I had a few side effects with it so my next increase to 5mg will be in a month. I am told this is the best way so that the body can get used to it.I must admit I just cant see me getting to the max dose of 10mg but we will see.I wanted to say that I too wondered if I needed the medication for my PAF as I had read that it MIGHT help the PAF after the PM was fitted. I wish I could recall where I read that but I cant, sorry, I have read so much lately.My pacemaker is a dual lead. As Realdon says sss covers a number of conditions,mine being brady/tachy/paf. My first PM check did not show up any instances of AF. Hope this helps you.

[CDreamer in reply to Arbroathsmokie]

Thanks for your reply, sounds very similar to yr situation. We were told by the EP that it might eliminate the PAF as there were several settings to pace the atria, it might best to wait see before taking any meds.

As a) he has seen the effect of beta blockers on me and doesn't want to be slowed down and b) he has only had 1 episode which lasted for about 3 hours only and wasn't symptomatic since having the implant in Jan there was no urgency. Suddenly the EP prescribed Sotolol, without discussion, which he returned, then another prescription arrived for another beta blocker I'd never heard of so he was rather surprised.

We understand the reasoning for the pm was for the Brady / tachycardia as his heart would stop for up to 4 seconds, although he only felt slightly lightheaded, no blackouts. The PAF was secondary so very surprised that there was no discussion. Like all of us he very reluctant to take meds, unless absolutely necessary, just seems very odd. He wanted to know if anyone had experience of a pacemaker eliminating PAF WITHOUT taking any other meds.

Thank you all for your replies....