Can't Breathe

I was a very competitive runner and triathlete for about 30 years. Then my heart rate began to drop in half when I exercised. 3 heart caths later they couldn't fix the electrical problem so we decided to put in a pacemaker. Now I can't run for more than 2-3 minutes without being out of breathe. I don't think I'm getting enough umphh from my heart (aka pacemaker)to pump blood to my lungs for oxygen. My angiogram was negative for blockage. Has anyone had a similar problem and found a solution or does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks, Breathless

8 Comments

SOB When Running

by Tommy-2 - 2011-07-24 07:07:48

That shouldn't be happening. Sounds like your pacemaker may need some serious settings changes.

What is your heart rate when you get so out of breath.

Tlommy

Can't Breathe

by hutch26.2 - 2011-07-24 08:07:10

Thanks. My pacemaker has been in for 2 years and it has never been right. My breathing only seems to be getting worse. I am getting a second opinion next month so maybe they will have some ideas.

Breathe

by drashmore - 2011-07-24 08:07:11

I had a PM put in Dec 2010. It took me 6 mons before I seemed to not have a breathing issue. I'm not sure if part of it was in my head. I had a few tacky attacks and everytime my heart started beating a little fast I would tighten up which didn't help my breathing. I had my original install, then a heart cat and then they had to go back in and reconnect my leads. Sometime I wonder if going into my heart 3 times caused me additional issues. But I now know my heart is strong and I have no blockages, just my wiring is shot.

Hopefully things will get better for you.

Can't Breathe

by hutch26.2 - 2011-07-24 08:07:55

It's hard to tell because I can't get an accurate read on any heart rate monitor. I've tried 3 different over the counter brands. I don't think it is very high, maybe 140 or so. I have had the pacemaker adjusted several times and it is supposed to be rated at 180 but I never get that high because I'm always out of breath. They are talking about putting another lead on this pacemaker which they say may help with the ventrical syncronization which they say may not be as strong with the pacemaker as with the normal heart.

Needed further ventricular lead

by Fo Wilson - 2011-07-25 05:07:40

Very sympathetic to your post. I had pm inserted Nov 10 because of sudden onset of 2:1 heartblock. Because I had gone down physically so quickly, I assumed my recovery would be quite swift.... Wrong! After 3 weeks I was able to walk a distance before getting breathless and there I stayed, not able to progress at all. Very frustrating; pm working fine, angiogram & lungs clear but for me it was like walking through treacle all the time. Eventually left ventricuar dyschrony was diagnosed on echo. Such a relief to know that all this time there has been a reason for inability to recover. So extra lead and new box inserted last week and already my heart feels better... Just looking forward now to enjoying life again...

Training

by gailie - 2011-07-26 04:07:21

Hi,
I am a competitive runner, had a PM fitted 2009. Needed to have it adjusted half a dozen times before things improved. Still not as I was, but am able to run any distance, so long as I do the training. Completed a marathon this May in 3 hrs 55 mins. You will have detrained more than you realise, and this will take time too.
All the best

I'm a 3 leader

by fishfighter - 2011-07-26 07:07:56

I Ihave 3 leads and of course my heart is way out of syn!
Had my implant done in April of this year and just in the past 3 weeks I'm getting my breath back when walking.

HITTING A WALL

by bishdobe - 2011-08-25 05:08:42

Anyone ever feel like your hitting a wall while you are running?? Its a horrible feeling and you just have to stop and wait till your heart catches up. From all the posts I've been reading it sounds like my upper number of 160 may need to be set higher. Will that help? When I had my pm implanted in 2001 for bradycardia, the DR assured me that it would NOT affect my running. I've had a few adjustments before but not for anything like this. My exercise is very important to me and its frustrating to not be able to just GO !!

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