black outs

Hi everyone,

Just a query re the heart etc. I am a 47 year reasonably fit male from Perth, Western Australia. I had a dual lead pacemaker (medtronic ) installed about six months ago due to very low pulse ( resting 28 ) and everything had been well leading up to christmas. However over the past few months I have felt very dizzy when standing up after either sitting down or laying down for any lengh of time. For the most part I had managed these incidences OK but two weeks ago I woke up on the floor with no knowledge of what had happened. I was then driven to hospital where my tropin levels were high. This led to a barrage of tests, including a angiogram. It would seem now that the problem is to do with Vagal tones. After being in ICU for 6 days I was released, however the dizzyness remains. I was wondering if anyone else had similar problems and or answers. I am hoping the end result will not be that I just have to live with this ongoing problem.


Paul

4 Comments

I have V V S

by bowlrbob - 2010-03-16 02:03:21

I had the same problem and even blacked out once with the pacer working. My EP turned on the rate drop response feature. This senses the fast heart rate drops accociated with Vaso Vagel Syncope. It kicks my heart rate up to 100 beats a minute. this lasts for 2 minutes and then goes back to normal settings. He also set my normal heart rate up to 70. I have not been dizzy for almost 5 years.

I have VVS

by Selwyn - 2010-03-16 08:03:59

I think what bowlrbob means is vaso-vagal syncope due to a SLOW heart rate - hence the rate drop response feature is activate when this takes place

dizzyness

by jazz - 2010-03-17 05:03:02

I would be interested to here of your outcome of this. I had exactly the same as you - slow pulse rate - mine was 42bpm with a sleeping rate of 18 bpm.
I still suffer from bouts of dizzyness (my pacemaker was fitted two years ago I am now 47) often the dizzyness happens when I am very tired, I have never blacked out though.

update

by Paulma - 2010-04-04 12:04:29

Hi - just a quick update. I saw the cardiologist last week and he has booked me in for a tilt table test as well as doubling the medication. Unfortunatly they are suggesting I sinificantly reduce the cycling. I am very reluctant to do this and I would appreciat others thoughts on this recommendation. It is also suggested that I consume large quantities of fluid, ie water. Does anyone know of any alternatives which would mantain the volume and reduce the risk of dizzyness.

Paul

You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.