Hi All,

I'm new, so I'm sorry if this topic has been covered elsewhere but I couldn't really find posts that answered my question fully.

I had an epicardial pacemaker fitted in February after finding out that my heart had been gradually slowing for the last 10 years and occasionally stopping. I'm 36 and have had a congenital (unoperated) condition since birth. It's never really caused me problems, I just didn't have the same exercise threshold that other people had.

Still, I'm coming up to three months after my op now and a few weeks ago I started feeling a mild pulsing in my stomach. My pacemaker's actually behind my abdomen, so I just thought it was normal and part of the 'getting used to it' process.

I spoke to my cardiologist (who I have complete faith in) who told me not to worry and that it really was quite normal and I'm sure it is, I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do to try to calm it down. It doesn't bother me while I'm walking around, and it does completely disappear every now and then, but while I'm sitting or lying down, it's much more noticeable and really quite annoying. When I tense my stomach muscles (for want of a better word) it disappears, but I can't go around all day long with my stomach tensed 'cos it makes it difficult to breathe. Maybe I just need to do some ab exercises.

I don't know, maybe I'm just being paranoid, I guess the fact that I live in a different country to where I had the surgery done, doesn't help, i.e. I can't just pop-in for a quick check-up, even though they're finding me someone closer to home that can do periodic checks for me.

Just wanted to let of some steam really, but any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Gp.

 

 

I'm not too familiar with abdominal placements, they're pretty rare, but a pulsing feeling isn't uncommon. Sometimes they can make it go away by adjusting the settings.

 

Hi,

This phenomenon is called 'diaphragmatic Pacing'.

It is quite common in Epicardial Lead as they are generally what are called 'UNIPOLAR' Leads. The Chances of dipphragmatic pacing is higher in 'UNIPOLAR' leads than in the 'BIPOLAR' Leads which are the routine endocardial ones.

Be rest assured that though it is annoying it isnt harmful.

It can be reduced or even completely eliminated by reducing the Amplitude Voltage of the pacemaker which can be done by Pacemaker Programmer.

What you require is a routine check-up of the pacemaker from the Pacemaker Company Engineer (generally in presence of your cardiologist or some other expert cardiologist/Electrophysiologist who understands PACEMAKERS well). The engineer can evaluate whether it is safe to reduce the Amplitude Voltage in your case by various 'Tests' he performs. Accordingly he can do the needful after taking permission from the expert doc.

You havent mentioned which country have you implanted the Pacemaker and which country do you stay. Yet check out which company pacemaker you do have and try to contact either the company guys or some expert Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist.


Please ensure time to time checkups of pacemaker even if you are completely well; which has to be done at-least once in a year.

Regards,

SWETAL VORA

 

Hi, when I had my pacemaker fitted I had diaphragmatic pulsing. Nobody in the unit had seen it before so all the staff were interested, and gathered round my bed to watch my stomach pulse!! But it was fixed by adjusting the settings, and I've not had it since.

 

Thank you for your replies, it's good to know it's nothing to worry about.

I actually had my pacemaker placed in the UK but I live in Rome, Italy. I'm just waiting for my cardiologist to let me know who I can see me in Rome, to stop me having to go backwards and forwards.

The make is St. Jude Medical...