Heart races doing small things

Well, never thought I would be posting on a Pacemaker site,but here I am. I am 56 female and got my daul pacemaker Dec.5, just 2months now. First problem ,it is so close,really past my armpit,(feels like when you are carring a book under your arm and trying to reach across for something)I went in to have it checked they said ,could not have moved but they feel it twisted.I complained of every time I moved my right arm(I am a left handed so placed it on right side).My heart beat so fast and felt it in my thoat.They said lucky for me they could turn off the motion function,I thought that had it fixed. Now when I vacum the floors it just pounds and up in my thoat,checked my pulse it was 108, going to the bathroom just to Pee-Pee makes it 106,Loading the washing machine is the worst.What could be causing this now??? PM is set to go no lower then 60. My PM site sometimes feels hard as a rock and pulling then other times cant tell it is there. I just feel very bad,worse then before I got it.Also my heart only pumps at 40% so take altace 5 mg & metoprolol 25mg twice a day &provastan 40 mg Never took medicine in my life except for acid reflux my Previcid 30 mg.Sorry 1st posting so long. Any ideals out there what is causing all this. Lottie

4 Comments

get checked

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-21 06:02:03

Ask for an interrogation. it sounds like your settings need adjusted.

settings may need adjusting, or.....

by Angelie - 2009-02-21 07:02:50

It might be quite possible that you're just fine.
I don't know the particulars of your condition, or what lead you to recieve your dual chamber pacer, but it is VERY normal with position changes, movement, and physical activity for your heart rate to increase.
Now let me clarify......just so you understand.
Every time your body moves it is completely normal for your heart rate to fluctuate SLIGHTLY. Now, if your heart rate increases more than 10-20 beats per minute than I would definitely suspect something......either your rate response on your pacer, your exercise tolerance needs improving, or you might simply be dehydrated.
Definitely tell your health care team what you're feeling and your symptoms. It's important for you to remember what you're doing when you feel these increased beats. It will help your doctor diagnose the problem.
I work in cardiology, but I am not a doctor and I don't want to seem as if I'm giving inappropriate medical advice, but my goal here is to hopefully make you feel more comfortable in knowing to expect slight changes in your heart rate. Your heart rate is not going to always be set at your pacemaker rate. I often see the cardiologist write on people's medical papers and I quote, "rapid increase in heart rate due to poor exercise tolerance." I see that quite a bit. Ask your doctor if it's safe to exercise, because like you exercise to increase strength to your leg bodyframe muscles, exercise also exercises your heart muscle and keeps it in great shape, but check with your dcotr first before starting any exercise regime.
I have tachy-brady syndrome. My pacemaker prevents me from my heartrate getting below my low rate which is set at 60 bpm. With my pacer, my heart will NEVER beat less than that, but my pacemaker is NOT designed to prevent fast rhythms nor do I know of any that do......unless you have an AICD, or ICD which I didn't read from your posting.
My heart still continues to race, but the only thing that doctors can do about it is medicine or other heart procedures such as ablations. That literally is all that they can do right now for fast rhythms, not unless you have an ICD, or AICD. I've been doing this for 9 years now, trust me.
Also I note that you mentioned you are feeling badly. I would mention this as well to your doctor, but please note that the drugs you've been prescribed may take a few months to fully take effect and may very well make you feel like you have the Flu everyday. I've taken them. Also, check your blood pressure because these drugs have a usual added "benefit" of lowering BP, but not necessarily a benefit if your bloof pressure is already low. Low BP can make you feel like crap as well.
I hope this helps. I feel like I'm babbling now, and overwhelming you with too much info all at once.
If you have any other questions please feel free to send a personal message to me, and I'll try to help you.
And oh yeah, most of never do think we'll ever end up being assisted by medical devices, so that's a normal reaction.

Great to meet you, and welcome. You've come to the right place.
Angelie

position of your pacemaker...

by Pookie - 2009-02-22 06:02:43

Hi Lottie.

My pacemaker was inserted right under my collarbone, pretty close to the middle of my chest. or for a different explanation...it is directly in line down from my left eye.

However, after my first surgery, the pacemaker decided it wanted to move into my armpit, which was actually very comfortable for me, but I was always feeling this really weird tugging feeling.

To make a long story short, 6 months after initial surgery, I had them reposition my pacemaker back to it's original spot...but this time they anchored it down with a few stitches. It hasn't moved since.

Pacemakers migrating to other locations is not uncommon and personally, I think it should be up to YOU if you want it repositioned or not. Yes, it was yet another surgery, but that was my choice. Don't take NO as an answer.

Good luck.

Pookie

Thanks everyone

by punkin - 2009-02-23 12:02:49

Thanks to everyone for the reply. I go back for a PM check in March. I know PM has helped me I went on a long walk in the woods today and only had to rest one time.It is so odd it only races when I do upper body work using my arms and bending over. Again thanks for the help. Lottie

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

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