Pacemaker for control of fast heart rate

[Mike-tyson]

Does anyone had a pacemaker fitted to control a my fast heart rate at times. I thought pacemakers were only suitable for people with a slow heart rate. But cardiology at Stoke are recommending fitting one for my intermittent fast heart rate? Any advice would be welcome. Thank you.

[Denise2011]

Hi Mike

I've just had one fitted (2 weeks tomorrow). I was having tachycardia and now have a pacemaker - 3 leads and a defibrillator. I keep hearing about this business that it won't drop below 50, but that was never my problem - ever. Whilst I am still getting other arrhythmias, it has controlled my Tachycardia to around 100/104. I have no idea if it is the same rhythm, but it is overall steady and much lower. Sometimes going uphill it will be a bit more ... and I only know because I took my pulse, as a couple of times I felt the need to stop. So yes, it has helped reduce mine and I hope that's reassuring.

Kind Regards

Denise

[Mike-tyson in reply to Denise2011]

Thanks for reassuring advice Dennis 😊😊

[Mike-tyson in reply to Denise2011]

Sorry Denise I spelled your name wrong. I have Heart Rate Free on my smartphone which is very good to check both your heart rate and rhythm. My doctor checked it against his equipment and it is very accurate and free 😊😊

[Denise2011 in reply to Mike-tyson]

Hi Mike, not a problem - thank you for being such a gentleman. I've heard they are good and that's great. I haven't such technology. I ended up buying a Prince 180B (handheld ECG) and it was then that someone started taking note (says I!), but it's taken 5 years to get to this stage. I had to use it (Medtronic said I could), the other day because I've been getting palpitations. That said, I was getting VT and could not get uphill without stopping several times. Even 2 days after the tachycardia had eased tremendously and now (not taking my pulse because I've not got any symptoms), but I am walking like a young thing. Yesterday a mile - at least half of that uphill and I never had to stop once.

[Eadaoin]

I have had a pacemaker for 13 years due to an occasional slowing heart rate (Vasovagal Syncope). Soon after It was inserted I experienced AF for the first time which eventually became a daily occurrence. My understanding is that the annual pm check up only records the percentage of AF episodes. It does not cure it. I was subsequently offered an AV Node ablation and since then I rarely FEEL the AF though it is still happening. I no longer need to take AF medication. I have recently been given a heart monitor to put beside my bed which is on 24/7 sending information wirelessly from my pm to the hospital during the night. Amazing technology has been helping me manage both conditions with great confidence. I am very lucky.

[jowalk6]

I had a defibrillator fitted after a SCA at home. 2 years ago I was fitted with a new one after my old one kept shocking me but not bringing my heart rate down. I now have one that is a pacemaker as well due to my heart rate sometimes too low. So it will pace if drops too low and shock if it goes too high for too long.

[Palpman]

I have always had a problem with this specific topic.

No one has yet explained how a pacemaker can LOWER pulse rate. Not even Google can explain how.

[Mike-tyson in reply to Palpman]

Think it can control irregular heart beat which could lower the heart rate. But they are recommending at Cardiology in Stoke which is in the top five for cardiology in the U.K. ?

[Palpman in reply to Mike-tyson]

Defribliators (not pacemakers) shock the heart when it detects a sudden increase in heart rate to return it to normal sinus rhythm.

Pacemakers detect slow heart rate and will inject extra beats to increase the heartbeats to a normal rhythm.

This I understand. But how a pacemaker lowers for instance a heart rate of 120 to 70 bpm is beyond my understanding.

[bantam12 in reply to Palpman]

From what I've read a rate response pacemaker works on both slow and fast rates.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[Palpman in reply to bantam12]

Thanks bantam but it does not explain anything other to state that pacemakers can detect some tachycardias and inject a pulse to correct it.

It is easy to understand how they increase pulses but how they decrease pulses escapes me totally.

[Denise2011 in reply to Palpman]

It does this by 'pacing', just like runners do. They pace themselves knowing when they should slow down in the race and then when they need to step up. The leads with ensure that the top chambers (the atria) and the bottom chambers (the ventricles), do not work independently. So the atria on the left and right sides of the heart work together and the same applies to the ventricles (the bottom chambers). So, your heart pumps away and when it is necessary, the pacing takes over and makes the correction. I thought I was being paced 100% of the time, but that's not the case - so I am told. That said, just for the one problem I had - it's been marvellous.

[Mike-tyson in reply to Denise2011]

Thanks again for the info Denise as struggling with Bisoprolol Digoxin and Entresto at the moment. And the hot weather not helping my heart to work well 😡😡

[Denise2011 in reply to Mike-tyson]

I'm not surprised you are struggling with all 3 of those. That said, we are all different and some of us have reactions that others don't. Have you got Heart Failure as well Mike? A pacemaker will change your life and they wouldn't offer it to you, if they didn't believe you needed it. I'm sure everyone on here will agree with me, that whatever little blips they may encounter/have encountered by way of heart beats new or old ... that still seem to tag along , it has changed their lives for the better. I heard it say that they feel like a new person. Now I've had mine, I know what they meant.

Are you in the catchment area or did you end up there as an emergency?

The heat has affected us all I think Mike, and the older we get the worse it is! Thank goodness it is cooler now.

[Mike-tyson in reply to Denise2011]

Yes have heart failure that is why they put me on Entresto. I live in Stafford so come under Stoke’ catchment area. First had af problems when in Stoke having jaw cyst removed five years ago. Feel very tired most of the time so will be glad to get things sorted as medication only works some of the tine. As had 24 he heart monitor and Eckocardiogram. Many thanks for your help and advice. Mike

[Denise2011 in reply to Mike-tyson]

Look after yourself Mike and don't get tempted to get back in the ring any time soon. Put those boxing gloves away.

So many of us struggle with these side effects and I hope they will ease for you and that you get the your pacemaker soon.

Good luck and do let us know how it goes.

Kind Regards

Denise

[Mike-tyson in reply to Denise2011]

😊😊 Thanks Denise 😊😊 Been for a pint at lunch time to see my mates and read my paper. Was nice not having to wear a mask when moving around the pub. But concerning some of the young ones are gathering in groups with no masks on ??

[Denise2011 in reply to Mike-tyson]

That was nice for you Mike! Regrettably I've no time to worry about Covid-19. I'm so glad to be able to wear my glasses again, so that I can see properly. Having broken them twice, I decided to go without with the exception of driving.