Ventricular standstill and laxatives

[Gladys23]

Hi All

I had a 24 hour holter monitor test and the results show 5 pauses of over 3 to 7.13 seconds.

I have been prescribed Laxido and docusate for 5 months for chronic constipation. I am having an echocardiogram and listed for a urgent pacemaker.

Has anyone experienced heart pauses when on laxatives please. I am taking 5 docusate and 3

Laxido daily and see there is a connection between Laxatives and electrolyte imbalance and heart rates.

I HAVE READ THAT PACEMAKERS DONT RESTART THE HEART

Has anyone got any advice on this please

Worried Gladys

[meadfoot]

Laxatives start my cardiac arrhythmias off. I take weekly dulcolax which i think messes with my electrolytes. Those pauses feel horrible. Hope you get sorted very soon.

[Gladys23 in reply to meadfoot]

Hi Meadfoot

Many thanks for your kind reply. It is interesting that happens to you and sorry that you are experiencing these pauses also.

I have requested a blood test to see my electrolyte levels

Thanks Gladys

[Deejay62]

Pacemaker defibrillator is there if you have an abnormal heart rhythm, it shocks the heart back to its normal rhythm. If your heart stops you still need CPR if the cardiac arrest isn’t happening because of a life threatening heart rhythm. The BHF site explains it better than I am. Google your question then check out BHF website.

[Gladys23 in reply to Deejay62]

Hi Deejay62

Thanks for your kind reply. Its all a bit new to me and worrying. I did see a GP today and she said that a pacemaker will send a signal to restart the rhythm. Going for echocardiogram on Wednesday and listed for urgent pacemaker

I will check on Google and check BHF website

Many thanks Gladys

[Lezzers in reply to Gladys23]

Hi Gladys, Is your GP getting a bit confused with pacemakers & ICD's? A pacemaker itself won't restart or send a signal to restart your heart unless it has a defibrillator function in which case it will be an ICD or a CRTd but you would usually only be fitted with one of these devices if you at risk of sudden death. If you're not being considered for one of those devices then that's usually because you're not considered high risk which I hope is of some comfort to you. The link below will hopefully explain better

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

[Gladys23 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers

Many thanks for replying. It is all new to me but good to see so much information on the link which you sent me.

Just a bit confused by what my GP said to me but when I see the cardiac department hopefully will know what the pace maker will be for me.

[Lezzers in reply to Gladys23]

It's probably a case of your GP isn't really that clued up with heart conditions/devices, most GP's just know the basics and/or tend to just simplify information. The cardiac department will definitely tell you which device it'll be, make a list of all the things you want to know about, such as the sinus pause, how the device will work for you etc, how often you'll have to attend the pacing clinic, etc

Good luck 🤞

[Gladys23 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers

I have been informed today that I have been put on the waiting list for a dual pacemaker, I am marked urgent but been told it could be 2 to 3 months. Trying not to get to stressed or worried but a finding it difficult.

Many thanks for your kind advice

[Lezzers in reply to Gladys23]

Hi Gladys23

I'm not sure if I should say I'm glad you're on the waiting list as I suppose it's a bit of a mixed blessing & I don't doubt it's incredibly stressful & worrying. The thing to remember is, although it's marked as urgent if it was a matter of life & death you would have been taken in & had it fitted immediately. But you could contact the hospital and ask that you be put on the cancellation list, we've often phoned the hospital direct & got early appts. Once you've got the device fitted hopefully it'll give you some peace of mind knowing its keeping you safe & allowing you to continue your life as normal. Additionally you'll be under the pacing clinic for periodic check ups & if anything concerning is found it's our experience that a cardiologist is called into the appt there & then, my husband has an ICD & has had a cardiologist attend his check ups a few times

Good luck 🍀

[Gladys23 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers

Many thanks for your very good information which I will take on board

Kind Regards

Gladys73

[Hatchjd]

if you have a slow resting heart beat in the 40-50’s one or two missed beats can create a pause of 3+ seconds. Your heart is pausing, not stopping and a pacemaker senses that the beat is slowing or paused and send an electrical impulse causing the heart to beat. Bearing down and straining with constipation can cause the heart to slow down. Could this be the issue and not the meds.

[Gladys23 in reply to Hatchjd]

Hi Hatchjd

Many thanks for the information. I am pleased to hear that the heart is pausing and mine is that as I have never passed out or fainted.

My resting beat is 55 to 60 and I take laxatives daily so am not straining.