Hi,
I have to have a pacemaker due to AF, I'm on beta blockers at the moment but due to low blood pressure I have to come off of them, I feel tired all of the time since my heart problem and have been told that having a pacemaker will give me my energy back again....... can anyone say if this has happened to them after having a pacemaker,
Many thanks,
Heather
Hi it is now 8 years since I had to have a pacemaker fitted for the same reason now have a pretty active life go dancing twice week do keep fit and can enjoy life again am still on a low dose of bisoporol and do have low pulse but the pacemaker has definitely improved my life
Hi, thank-you for your reply, it was lovely to read your story and to hear of the improvement it has made to your life 
long may it continue. You have put my mind at rest,
Many thanks
Heather x
Hello Heather I asked my Cardiologist about a pacemaker because I have very low BP, I can only take a very low dose of beta blocker because of this.
He tells me a pacemaker won’t work for ectopic beats and AF, I’m confused now to read that you have been offered one, I am totally exhausted most of the time .
Torvi
Hi Torvi, thank-you for your reply, sorry to hear of your situation...... I too have very low blood pressure and pulse and before the beta blockers I was blacking out, they started me on a low dose with the intention of increasing them over three months but they couldn't increase them as my blood pressure was too low and there was a risk of me blacking out again, I have fast, slow and irregular beats which feels like my heart is going bonkers at times and the cardiologist has said that as I can't take the beat blockers the next option is a pacemaker which will sent signals to my heart to make it beat regularly, like you I am exhausted most of the time. What has your Cardiologist said that they are going to do to help you?
Heather x
He told me this week my only option is to continue the beta blockers , I’m on a tiny dose because my bp is naturally very low . I have fainting sensations several times a day and total exhaustion, he said it’s not because of the ectopics!!!! I think I need a second opinion , I’m pleased I found this group , it has been very helpful .
Torvi
I definitely think that you need a second opinion...... sounds so similar to what was happening to me, they can't just leave you living like that, let me know how you get on, also I did a lot of reading on the bhf site, it was really helpful in understanding what was going on with me, wishing you all the best,
Heather x
Thank you Heather , best of luck , I will update . Torvi
I have a close friend whose A/F developed into permanent A/F over a period of years. She has had a pacemaker fitted recently which has overcome her A/F, breathlessness and low energy levels. She is now back to walking 4+ miles with our walking group of friends and plans to start cycling regularly again. Have to work at it regularly though. Best wishes.
Hi, thank-you for the positive feed back, it has put my mind at rest, I wish your friend all the very best and long may it continue
Many thanks,
Heather x
Hi - I have AF but not all the time. I have recently had a pacemaker fitter with a view to having the AV node ablated in a couple of weeks, which means the pacemaker will take over completely. Did your friend have this done, because we are always told pacemakers alone will not cure AF.
Hi Melleray, I have now been told that I will also have to have an ablation after I've had the pacemaker fitted, I am going to see my consultant today so will know more later but would be interested to hear anyone else's story as to how it all went.
Wonderful!
Hi, I had my pacemaker fitted for heart block, take a low dose of bisoprolol and losartan, and I can honestly say it has been the best decision, I have got the energy to walk my dogs and am enjoying my pastime of gundog training X
Good luck x
Hi, thank-you for your feed back, feeling a lot more positive now ....Glad that it has worked out well for you and long may it continue,
Many thanks,
Heather x
Hi gundoglady, can I ask you what the meds actually help with? The reason I ask is that I had a pm fitted ten months ago for heart block and I don’t feel that much different tbh, if anything I feel really lethargic most of the time and my energy levels are zilch. However I did have radioactive iodine also last year to knockout my overactive thyroid but my bloods always come back as normal, so I’m guessing it’s not that that makes me feel so tired. I was hoping to feel fighting fit after my pacemaker, so I’m a bit disillusioned.
Hi kimkat,
As far as I'm aware (!) The bisoprolol stops my heart from beating to fast, and the pacemaker stops it going to slow and the losartan is for my blood pressure
I take 1×25mg losartan and 1×1.25mg bisoprolol a day
I see, I had heart blocks, no speeding up just heart rate slowing right down, my blood pressure is very low most of the time and the cardiologist is aware of that. Thanks for that
Pacemaker 
Is there a Pacemaker support Group in England?
pacemaker
