Ectopic heartbeat

i have had my pacemaker for 7years it was implanted for complete heart block but shortly afterwards was put into a 'sleep' mode and set to come on if heart rate falls below 50. Over the last year I have benn working hard to increase my fitness levels whcih has resulted in my resting heart beat lowering. Recently when I lie down I have been having spells of ectopic heartbeats. Could his be my pacemaker trying to keep my heartrate up when it naturally falls below fifty? Is it anything to worry about? The ectopic episodes last for up to 15mins but stop as soon as i sit up. Would really appreciate advice

9 Comments

Ectopic Beats

by Pookie - 2010-02-12 05:02:04

Hi gags,

I too have ectopic beats. My EP calls them Ectopic Atrial Beats or sometimes he refers to them as Junctional Rhythm.

I don't know if what you are experiencing is the same as what I go through. When it happens to me my heart starts to thump & pound and I get short of breath. For the first couple of years of having my pacemaker this did not happen. It just started about a year ago and have they have become more frequent and longer in duration. I've had my pacer for 5+ years now.

I've had several heart tests done and my last will be yet another Loop/Event Recorder which I will receive this Tuesday for however long it takes to get some "good" evidence/readings. I had my 3rd MIBI and my Ejection Fraction is at 63% which is excellent.

My EP told me that he might put me on some medications in the future and if that didn't help me then he mentioned an ablation.

So...I'm sorry I really didn't answer your question, but if you haven't been seen by an EP yet about your ectopic beats, then perhaps you could be referred to one.

I was told that these kinds of beats are not serious, just annoying. Which they certainly are!!!!!!! At first they scared me to death, but now I've become accustomed to them and when they start, I just get my heart rate up and then I feel okay.

Pookie

Wow...thanks Wonderboy....

by Pookie - 2010-02-12 05:02:41

I am guilty of the following:

I am a smoker (no lectures please, I get enough of them from my family & friends) and I drink a lot of coffee and just can't put down the chocolate.

Funny though my EP has never mentioned any of this to me.

Next time I see him, I'll mention it and see what he says. Meaning....I now find it odd looking back that he has NEVER asked me if I smoke or consume caffeine.

Thank gawd I don't drink alcohol...my heart would be all over the place.

I know, I know...I've got to smarten up.

Thanks again for that info Wonderboy!!!!!!

Pookie



Ectopic beats

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-13 02:02:18

I read somewhere that PVC's are very common in high fitness athletes. One theory is that the longer period between resting beats gives more opportunity for a stray beat.

My experience is that having the pacer take over at the low limit is a pretty smooth operation. Mine is set to 55 and I can watch it take over on my ECG when I'm resting. I can't feel anything. However, sometimes a PVC shows up and it is noticeable.

I think it was Smitty that found having his lower limit set higher actually helped the ectopic beat situation. (Have I got it right Smitty?)

frank

A Higher Setting...

by Pookie - 2010-02-13 05:02:52

that was one of the options that I spoke to my EP about but we will look into that after I have my Loop Recorder.

it's certainly worth a try!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pookie

Dr. Smitty:Whats the formula

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-14 01:02:33

Whats the ratio of booze to cigarettes that just comes out even????

frank

Ratios

by SMITTY - 2010-02-14 11:02:29

There is no set ratio as we are each different. And the fun part trying to get the correct ratio. The more trial you do the less you will care about the errors.

For Frank

by SMITTY - 2010-02-14 12:02:06

Frank you are correct. Increasing my low setting form 70 to 80 did wonders for me.

Now its "up jumped the devil again." I had a PM checkup last week and since 1-23-10 the PM had recorded two episodes of V-Tach of 5 and 6 seconds. I now have to see the Dr. next week.

I don't mind though because I have known something different was going on. I started having the same slight pain I had when the rate response was getting the upper and lower chambers out of sync. So I had it turned off, again last month. While that helped a lot it didn't stop the all of the pain. I am now wondering if I am continuing to have short episodes of V-Tach and it is getting the chambers out sync and causing the slight pain.

Or is this a case of my little knowledge being a dangerous thing No matter, it will give the Dr. something to talk about when he politely tells me I don't know what I'm talking about, again.

Smitty

For Pookie

by SMITTY - 2010-02-14 12:02:14

Pookie,

I see what your problem is with the smoking. You are not neutralizing the effects of the nicotine with a little booze. You see nicotine makes our blood vessels contract thereby causing our blood pressure to increase. But if you drink a little booze (the choice of the kind is yours) it will relax those blood vessels and decrease your blood pressure. On top of that it can give you a good all-over feeling.

If you want more information on this you will have to make an appointment and see me in my office.

Smitty

Found a computer to use

by FirstDuely - 2010-02-16 08:02:18

Gags: You mention the beats go on for 15 minutes and go away when sitting up.
Pookie: She says "...heart thumps and pounds".
Wonderboy: He posts info that mentions "Sometimes they are associated with chemical (electrolyte) problems in the blood,..."

And I say: I have had the same thing happen to my heart beats and when I increase my intake of Magnesium citrate (citrate version of Mg dissolves fast and completely in stomach) to around 400mg / day, these irregular heartbeats go away and/or get smoothed out so I barely notice them. This is especially true when I ride lots of miles on my bike. I have been out of town (still am right now) so have not ridden and I think I don't need as much Mg as when I'm am exercising but don't want to test that right now.

If you want, I can stop taking Mg completely to see if they come back on a consistent basis....but wait!! I already did that several months ago and they did.
So what I am saying is that your electrolyte balance must affect your heart rate and so I am watching these very closely now and will report same to my cardiodoc next time I see him.

I note that there is a doctor type person hanging around the site. Maybe that person can chime in re: electrolyte balance and heart beat consistency?

Gary of Hemet, CA now in Walnut Creek, CA until next Sunday

You know you're wired when...

Trade secrets can be smuggled inside your device.

Member Quotes

Think positive and go out and take on the world.