Faster heart beat after pacemaker

[Beatles61]

I had my pacemaker fitted 8 weeks ago. I had my first check up yesterday. I mentioned how my heart beats unusually fast a couple of time a week. When I first had it fitted the consultant wanted to put me on beta blockers as he said this could happen. I declined them as I was told to contact the GP if it became more regular and he could put me on them. Yesterday,when I mentioned it to the consultant,I was told everyone's heart does this and it is normal. I'm not sure who to believe now. Has anyone else had or has similar issues please? I had a dual chamber pacemaker after my heart stopping numerous times. Thanks.any advice appreciated.

[Buddy00]

out of interest why did you decline the beta blocker when the cardiologist wanted you to take them ? How are you measuring your heart rate to tell if it’s beating faster? Have they said you are suffering with AF. I also have a dual lead pacemaker and am on a cocktail of the usual heart meds , one being bisoprolol a beta blocker to slow my heart down . This was increased as I was getting AF and it’s definitely helped me.

[Sharpglo in reply to Buddy00]

Is dual pacer same as my biventricular pacer?

[Buddy00 in reply to Sharpglo]

yes they are the same thing.

[Scotsman53]

I would think yesterday's discussion would have been based on the record of the last few weeks stored on your pacemaker, in other words the cardio would know what they're talking about. Also you don't want to be taking betablockers if you don't really need them. I wouldn't worry.

[Bingo88]

Good morning Beatles 61. I know it might be slightly different but after I had my pacemaker procedure I had to go on b.p tablets because my b.p was going a bit too high. Not sure if this is the same and helps you at all. Brian

[Classof1988]

not Is there a correlation between what you are thinking and an increased heart beat? If you are stressed your heart could go onto fight or flight mode which would explain a speeded up heart rate. In any event try not to worry about it

[EMBoy]

When I first had my pacemaker fitted, it felt as if my heart was beating way too fast, but it was, in fact, beating at a normal rate most of the time, and felt odd as I had become used to a low heart rate. However, I did have a few episodes where it was beating too fast, but these were usually over fairly quickly, and I think they were caused by the stress of collapsing and having to have a pacemaker inserted as an emergency. It took me a good 3 months for everything to settle down.

I had been a heavy smoker for about 50 years and gave it up on the same day I had the PM, so must have been going through withdrawal for the first few weeks/months.

It's just over 5 years now since I had my PM fitted, and every time I go for my annual check-up, they tell me I have had several episodes of tachycardia throughout the year, but it is nothing to worry about. I've never been offered beta blockers, but I would refuse them anyway (unless my life was at risk without them) because I have COPD and they might interfere with the bronchodilators I take for that.

Unfortunately for me, bronchodilators do increase my heart rate as does the Levothyroxine I take for hypothyroidism, but these drugs together with my pacemaker allow me to live a normal life.