bradycardia

[brenanddave]

Hi, I am newly diagnosed with PA and have noticed that along with other symptoms to my pulse is quite low 52 , to 55. I first noticed it a few weeks ago and meant to mention it to my doctor. Because I have been short-breathed the past couple of days along with various other times I have taken my blood pressure and noticed the low pulse again. I have also been experiencing light headiness on standing from sitting or laying down. It just lasts for a minute but has been happening for quite a long time. I had a heart attack 8 yrs ago. Any thoughts?? Thanks

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I'm not a health professional but I think you should make an appointment and talk to your doctor about this as soon as you can.

In an emergency, I think the number to ring in New Zealand is 111.

How often are you getting B12 injections?

If you've only just started getting B12 injections, maybe you could ask your GP to check your potassium levels as some people can experience a drop in potassium levels when they start treatment.

Some forum members report that their symptoms get worse for a while when treatment starts before starting to get better.

A few B12 links that might be of interest.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK. Has some overseas members.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

PAS membership is separate to membership of this forum.

B12 Info.com website

b12deficiency.info/

B12 Awareness (US website)

b12awareness.org/

Stichting B12 Tekort (Netherlands website with English articles)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

B12 Institute - Netherlands

b12-institute.nl/en/home-2/

This next one might be good to pass on to your doctors.

Club B12 is a group of researchers and other interested people who are looking into B12.

club-12.org/

Two useful B12 books

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the former chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society).

"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (US authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.

I hope your symptoms improve soon.

[brenanddave in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thank you for your reply! I was just researching my heart meds and suspect a beta blocker that I was put on before Christmas may be affecting my pulse I will make an appointment tomorrow. Thank you.

[B12life in reply to brenanddave]

Do they have you on blood pressure meds on top of a beta blocker????

[brenanddave in reply to B12life]

No! blood pressure tablets but diltiazin which I think might be adding to things.

[Nackapan]

See your cardiologist of Gp. I expect they will went to do an ecg.ect to give you a through check up with your medical history.

You may have an open door to access an appointment quickly if under a cardiologist .

Your autonomic system csn be affected from b12 defiency causing pots symptoms.

Do get checked out .

[wedgewood]

I’ve had P.A. for 9 years . I developed a slow heart -rate over the last couple of years , and got breathless etc . I became unwell and ended up with a very low heart -rate .,In hospital I got a heart pace-maker , which has made a huge difference .

[brenanddave in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you once again for your kind information! Yes! I noticed last night when resting that my pulse was consistently between 51 and 54 blood pressure was 107/63 pulse 51 at one point. Do you think that warrants a mention to the doctor?. I was put on beta blockers late last year as my heart did a few small jumps on the treadmill. I wonder if they are too strong? I had a heart attack 8 yrs ago so on a few meds. Very confusing whats what with PA.

[wedgewood in reply to brenanddave]

I think that it does merit an appointment with your GP , as you have symptoms ( breathlessness) It should be investigated. . Best wishes .

[Hockey_player]

Get a fitbit and then you can get constant monitoring of your pulse so you can see what it is doing. Those numbers are OK for people who are very fit. But if it is not usual for you, I agree you should seek medical help.

[Hidden]

Bradycardia may be normal in some people. It may also point towards a heart problem, so as you have had a heart attack, do see your doctor. Breathlessness and feeling dizzy could be due to a heart problem, equally, it can be due to low B12 or iron. (There may also be other causes of dizziness and breathlessness). I felt very dizzy and with low BP on standing after a hip operation recently. Although I don't have PA, my B12 was on the low end of normal, so I took B12 liquid under my tongue with a very good multi-vitamin and gradually I got better.

A therapy colleague reminded me that after operations, the body uses up ferritin (iron) to heal the body, so can thus lower the ferritin which might contribute to dizziness etc.

Although B12 leaves the body quickly, too high a dose in one go can cause BP to rise (I experienced this once, so hence recently, took divided doses as I was doing it by myself without medical supervision). Hope this helps.

[brenanddave in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Yes it does. Strangely enough I have hemochromatosis and at the time of my b12 deficiency I also had very high ferritin levels so had to have a venesection to remove it and b12 injections to addb12. I was anemic from both.

[Sunshine1932]

I had a low heart rate before starting b12 injections and now it is fine. I self inject twice a week or more if I have something energetic happening in my life.

Take care. X

[Hectorsmum2]

also worth having your thyroid checked as a low pulse can indicate hypothyroidism.

[brenanddave in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Thanks, I did on the 2 may. It was TSH 1.8 ml U/L (0.27-4.20) not sure if there are other thyroid tests I sure be having checked but that came back ok! I have burning feet syndrome that has just started and see along with vitamin deficency it can be caused by thyroid. I am on beta blokers that I see can cause bradycardia. So frustrating.

[Ebx_design in reply to brenanddave]

Hi, came across this post searching in the forum for bradycardia. Late to this thread, but I am hypothyroid and have bradycardia as a result. Re the TSH test, it's not enough.To know how your thyroid is doing you need to check TSH, T4 and T3. You can get this privately if you're gp won't help via. Medichecks or Blue Horizon. Check out the thyroid group on healthunlocked for more info and test discount codes if you need support in this area.

All the best!