Question About Heart Rate

I have dual lead pacemaker for 2nd degree AV block. What I would like to know, is it normal to feel your heart beating when your rate increases. My rate is usually around 68-70 now, but at times I feel it start increasing and can feel something in my chest at that time. Doesn't hurt, doesn't cause shortness of breath, but it feels weird. Is this something they can control during my next pacemaker check in May?

Thanks for any feedback. Hope everyone is doing okay.

3 Comments

Feeling heart beat

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-22 11:04:01

You may be noticing your heart beating because it is increasing in an unfamiliar way for you.

With simple block the pacer should be set to only conduct your own intrinsic HR. Often the cardiologist doesn't bother to change the pacer settings from the ones set at the factory. These settings include a feature called Rate Response which senses your activity and uses it to control your HR. Especially if it is set too sensitive any repetitive movement can cause your HR to increase. It can also cause a conflict between your natural rate and the pacers rate.

If your pacer is implanted just under your skin where you can feel it there is an easy way to tell whether Rate Response is active. Gently grasp the pacer with your thumb and fore finger and wiggle it back and forth. If this causes your HR to increase then RR is ON. Another way to find out is to ask for a copy of the pre and post programming report at your next checkup. Several of us on the forum can help you understand the report.

Most of us here have found that with simple block of any degree it is much better to have it off. Some cardiologist's will turn it off if you mention it. Others are stubborn about it, and will try to tell you it doesn't matter. They are either using this claim as an excuse or they just don't understand the system.

best wishes,

frank

Me too!

by Genie - 2010-04-23 07:04:42

I am very aware of rate changes too (also for 2nd degree heart block), although in a slightly different way. I am thin, and when sit back I can often feel changes in my heart rate in my back (Frank, if you read this, I think is what that feeling in my shoulder was!). Also especially when I wake up in the morning. I don't feel it in my chest so much. It's like my pulse is much stronger, and I'm really aware of changes. I agree, it's really weird.

I don't think mine is the RR because I'm not sure it is always my pacemaker increasing the rate. I'm hoping I will just get used to it. My cardiologist has told me that some people (especially young people) sometimes find it difficult to adapt to what a 'normal' heart beat feels like and are very aware of it.

Genie

Thanks for the feedback

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-24 01:04:58

It helps to know when I am or am not on the right track.

Another thing I wonder about with the strange feeling heartbeats is that the pacer doesn't stimulate the ventricles in quite the same way that our natural nerve bundles do. Especially with younger folks with a very strong heart muscle this might be noticeable.

Just a thought that just hit me.

best to all,

frank

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