Accelerated Heart Rate

1st post. Got pacemaker Apr 14th, set to 60 bpm for bradycardia issues. Walked yesterday and felt odd after. Bought pressure cuff, took bp and pulse. Pulse was above 100 and has stayed near there since. Before yesterday's walk it had been consistently at 60 or very close to it. I'll call the doc tomorrow but am wondering if anyone else has had such an issue and what came of it?

8 Comments

oops

by Angelie - 2010-05-02 03:05:13

I meant to say that the automatic machines AREN'T always the most accurate.

Counting yourself is the most accurate way.

Pulse rate

by Angelie - 2010-05-02 03:05:54

Count your pulse rate with your fingers at your neck or wrist, or by listening with a stethescope. Sometimes, since you have a pacemaker now- those automatic deals are always the most accurate. They pick up the pacer spike and count that as a beat.

Try that. I agree call your doc anytime you feel weird or different than you were before. Always keep them informed of any changes, because you know your body best.

Do know and understand that it takes a few months to get your pacer settings just right to your lifestyle. Your change in heart rate could be effected by medicines also.

Makes Sense

by 4chambers - 2010-05-02 03:05:57

Thanks, Angelie, what you say makes sense. My pulse is so weak that I'll have to get a stethoscope to hear it, but I guess this is where I am in life.

You or the pacemaker?

by Genie - 2010-05-02 05:05:06

You need to work out if it's you or the pacemaker. I would guess it depends what sort of problem you had before you were paced?

Was your slow pulse all the time or intermittent? If it was all the time, it could simply be that the rate response on your pacemaker is kicking in too much.

But the fact that you say it has stayed high suggests it isn't an exercise problem. In which case, you might be having the same problem as me. I was paced end of March for second degree block and bradycardia, then the next week had to be readmitted due to a persistent high pulse (100 resting, 120 standing, 140 walking). Doctor has put me on Beta Blockers, which have got things back to normal, and I am now waiting for long-term follow up. The high rate made me exhausted and breathless, but I was told there was no immediate health risk. They think my sinus node, no longer under the effect of block, has just gone crazy in the other direction!

You need to see your doctor to rule out serious causes - infection (is your wound ok?), thyroid, pneumothorax. Also need to get the pacemaker checked: whether it is sensing correctly and the rate response. Also ECG and chest x-ray. Tell them any other symptoms you have, especially any chest pain, dizziness or breathlessness. If all this is fine, it may be you need some medication. BB or ivabradine should settle it.

My doctors say this might be short term. I'd be really interested to know what yours say!

Genie

Fast Heart Rate

by J.B. - 2010-05-02 10:05:41

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club,

I haven't had a problem like yours so I can't say what is normal or what is not normal. Of course you heart rate would increase when you exercise, but not all do and that is the reason some of us have the rate response feature on our pacemaker turned on. The rate response has its own settings and after some amount of seconds (usually less than 15 to 20) it will increase our heart rate according to what it is set to sense. The RR does have an upper limit to which it will take the heart rate. However, rate response or no rate response, your heart rate should return to a lower rate when you finish the exercise.

While it is always tempting to blame the pacemaker, especially when it is new, when anything different happens after we get the thing. However, I would be very surprised that your continuing increased heart rate is pacemaker related and suggest that you do as you say you are going to do.

Good luck,

JB

Innapprociate heart rate

by musser75 - 2010-05-03 03:05:29

I think Angelie is right. Try to measure your own heart via checking your pulse at your neck. These electronic machines do sometimes measure hr worng especially in pacemaker patients.

Rate Response

by 4chambers - 2010-05-03 09:05:02

Thanks to Genie and J.B. for helpful information. My heart rate did go up from exercise, of course, but did not return to normal until sometime the next morning. Hopefully, a visit with my cardiologist will shed light on this anomaly. For whatever reason, I was not aware of the term "rate response," which is another topic for my doctor.
As to infection, no visible problems. Site looks great.

Fast Heart Rate

by Nikki - 2010-05-17 10:05:59

I originally had my pacemaker put in due to total heart block. My heart would stop beating completely. Now that it's in, I have been experiencing racing pulse. At rest, it was in the 160's! I continued having tachycardias and dizzy spells for a week before they put me on beta blockers. These seem to be working a little bit but still suffer from tightness in the chest and passing out.

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