Chest Pressure, throat pain, arm ache.

Hi, I've recently had my atrial lead and battery changed (6 wks ago), since the op, I keep getting strange feeling of intense pressure in my chest. This can be either at rest or after light exercise. I also sometimes have a pressure like pIn in my throat and a general ache in my left arm. I'm also feeling dizzy/light headed a lot too.
My gp was less than helpful and just suggested a pm check, that was today and apart from a stitch protruding from the wound, all was good.
I'm not sure if I should worry or what. Any advice would be great.

I'm 39, female and on my 3rd battery (10 yrs pacing) my condition is malignant vaso-vagal cardioinhibitory response syndrome.

4 Comments

chest pressure

by 39anddisabled - 2011-04-07 06:04:12

you have a pacemaker or a difib put in i would have your settings checked your systems are signs of a heart attack it is something to be concerned im 39 as well just advice

Wow

by RubySlippers - 2011-04-07 07:04:52

Thanks! Heart attack?, really!? Even though it's not like this all the time? I'm having it right now.

Stress?

by KIRWEN1004 - 2011-04-07 11:04:50

Dizzy and lightheadedness often occur with anxiety. So does a heavy feeling in your chest and feeling like something is sitting in your throat.

I had these symptoms while having my PM checked and things were working perfectly.

I can't explain the arm pain though. Although I can tell you six weeks after my PM implant my arm is still achy from time to time.

I have dealt with anxiety for a very long time but since my surgery it has intensified massively. So much so that I am now seeing a therapist to cope.

Unfortunately the doctors don't often address the mental side of healing.

I think you should contact the doctor again, maybe they can put a monitor on you for a few days to make sure everything physically is okay. And this way when everything is okay physically you can address the mental aspect with them and perhaps they can recommend someone to talk to or at least some Xanax.

Good Luck.

malignant vaso-vagal cardioinhibitory response syndrome

by ElectricFrank - 2011-04-08 02:04:53

I'm not totally up on this syndrome, but from the name I would suspect it is the cause of the symptoms. The vaso-vagal response is related to the vagus nerve which is one of the routes of HR control. It also affects the diaphragm, stomach, and other organs. It is involved in passing out on standing or during a tilt table test.

Anyway, your symptoms may be part of the syndrome. This is a complex condition to treat and I would think the pacemaker settings would be sensitive so you may have to be insistent with your doctors.

frank

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