Bradycardia-Tackycardia Syndrome

[Likethecolorblue]

I have been diagnosed with bradycardia-tackycardia syndrome and am scheduled for a pacemaker implant and then to be put of Tikosyn. Does anyone have this - is so, how are you doing and what has been your experience?

[Ppiman]

Hopefully you'll get a more helpful reply than mine, but I only know of this as I've read about it as my two-week Zio patch ECG showed that I get swings of heart rate sometimes from quite fast to quite slow. My doctor isn't worried though and said that it was within normal ranges.

In your case, presumably, the PM will prevent any heart block happening which can cause fainting. The Tikosyn is, I guess, for the fibrillation?

Steve

[Likethecolorblue in reply to Ppiman]

My heart rate goes from 50's and then suddendly has gone up to 200 with chest pains when I went to E.R. I had two cardioversions and converted with Cardizen IV'S. Very scarry. I am getting a pacemaker next week to keep BP from going too low and then next month going into the hospital to get Tikosyn to keep it from going to high. They put you into AFIB in the hospital for three days and adjust the dosage. It has to be monitored continuously. Just dreading going into AFIB. I only have AFIB when it sends me to the hospital with chest pains. I have been diagnosed with Bradycardia-Tachycardia Syndrome. When I convered with the carizen my heart rate suddenly dropped to 5 and thank god, it came back up quickly. I thought I was dying. I will try anything to keep this from happening again. Thank you so much for your reply!

[Ppiman in reply to Likethecolorblue]

It’s scary but I believe that the chest discomfort isn’t serious in the way that a heart attack would be. I think it’s caused by the heart’s capacity being reduced.

Steve

[Likethecolorblue in reply to Ppiman]

I agree - I'm willing to try anything to keep from being stressed as to when my next afib attach will occur. Everytime I have AFIB I have had to go to ER (very scarry!). Thanks for your encouragement and reply!

[Ppiman in reply to Likethecolorblue]

It's a truly awful experience.

Steve

[2learn]

Hi, I had a pacemaker inserted in Dec for Bradycardia and this keeps my heart rate at around 60. I develped tachycardia after PM insertion and had ablation to get rid of that and bisoprolol to help control. All worked well until 3 days ago when I went back into Afib so pulse now higher, but not uncomfortable so far

[Likethecolorblue in reply to 2learn]

I will get a pacemaker next week and after four weeks go into the hospital for 3 days to be dosed with Tikosyn for the tackybradia. I am now sure why the doctor is doing this rather than ablation. I guess I have to trust his decision. Just dreading being put into AFIB because when I have AFIB my heart rate goes extremely high and I have chest pains. Thanks so much for your reply!

[Confused01]

Hi,

I had been complaining of light headedness, chest tightness and pain. GP said go to A&E, so I did and ecg came back with below 50 bpm , bradycardia. GP showed no interest, referred which would be in 4 months if lucky.

I sorted my own. Had holt monitor for a week which came back as bradycardia and swinging to high bpm. Angiogram shows no heart blockages etc.

Beta blockers aren’t suitable with low blood pressure.

Similar and what was done? On NHS?

Got a feeling there will no action which concerns me. Should they be considering a pace maker?.

Thanks

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello, You may like to register for our online patient educational series. The 'Living with... A pacemaker' is presented by Dr Ptaszek, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School and Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The presentation contains great advice and information about the procedure and post-procedure. To view the Agenda and register, please follow the link: heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/...

The antiarrhythmic medication - Tikosyn (otherwise known as Dofetilide) is used long-term to keep your heart beating normally - maintain normal sinus rhythm - and delay the recurrence of abnormal heartbeats including atrial fibrillation or flutter. You should receive regular monitoring of your renal functions via blood test.

You can view some of our patient resources, including 'Pacemaker Patient Information' (see below) api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Alternatively, please contact our Patient Services Team for support and advice: heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/...

booklet