Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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How do beta blockers help arrhythmias

This is following on from my other recent post... Today I was also offered a beta blocker to try for "palpatations" as the cardiologist called them. I have been getting a lot of ectopic beats (mostly single ones) but had what seemed like a run of them nearly two weeks ago which was disconcerting. I wondered how beta blockers help various arrhythmias? 
 

I remember as a teenager my vasovagal syncope was incorrectly disgnosed as "panic attacks&...

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Making decisions…. Monitoring arrhythmias?

Hi everyone

I was presented with some choices today when speaking to my cardiologist. I had an arrhythmia episode nearly two weeks ago which was different to anything I'd had before and seemed to wipe me out for a few days after. Like a run of powerful ectopic beats one after another without a break.

My cardiologist offered me a loop recorder (this would be my third). But also wanted a conversation about whether this was the best idea. I found my last explant of my loop r...

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Magnesium

Hi guys

I hoped to start a chat about magnesium supplements. I noticed from some recent blood test results that my magnesium levels were at the very bottom of the normal range at 0.73 mmol/L (normal range at this lab was 0.70 mmol/L - 1.00 mmol/L). This is despite having probably above average intake of magnesium in my diet and my own decision to take a magnesium (citrate) supplement of 300mg a day (for the past few years). I was therefore very surprised at...

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Amiodarone

I had a St. Jude Medical CRT-D (a Neutrino nxt hf) implanted on September 15th.  It is monitored using the My Merlin Pulse app, via bluetooth.  So far, so good.

While undergoing the procedure, I experienced a prolonged episode of ventricular tachycardia which required the use of defibrillation to subdue.  I had 3 such shocks in total.

As a result of the VT episode, I was then prescribed Amiodarone (200 mg) in addition to the relatively low dose (6.25 mg, twice...

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Blood rushing to my head when bending

Hi all

for a few years I have had this problem but like others, it's ignored. I have to sit on stairs to put on shoes etc as bending just makes my face and body so red. I have a PM (2010) but can't really recall when this problem began, certainly not before PM and meds. I suffer from AF also and heart failure which is worsening. Yesterday I was told after an echocardiogram that the right side of my heart is deflated and am awaiting a plan for treatment. Has anyone else had...

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should i get the pacemaker

for the past 5 years i have experienced rapid heart rates when running,walking up ills someimes walking up stairs-sometimes jjust getting out of bed. i have to stop and wait till the sensation passes usually a few seconds. this is more profound in the heat.my heart monitor tests show also some heart pauses lasting 3-8 seconds.when i am at rest my rhr is 49 and i feel perfect.if i suddenly get out of bed my hr goes to 70 andi feel a change.

this got very uncomfortable and so now i have a...

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Abnormal EEG results

Hello all!

Just got this ECG result. 
"Atrial-sensed ventricular-paced rhythm

Abnormal ECG

When compared with ECG of 21-JUL-2021 12:44,

Vent. rate has decreased BY   8 BPM"

this is the second test where the ventricular rate has decreased. The rate is 64. I am scheduled with my EP in November, does this indicate. PM issue or something else? Still experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness unless I move very slowly.  Thanks for reading...

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low CO2 blood level

I have had my pacemaker for 6 months.  My PCP ran routine blood tests recently.  My CO2 level was lower than it has ever been.  (17 and and normal range is 20-29)  Average for me has been about 23. All other tests were fine and I feel good. The first 2 months of this year I did nothing for exercise because I was feeling terrible as we determined the heart block diagonosis. I am still building up my stamina so I know I am not to the cardio levels I was last year before...

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Is it true that AT/AF includes more than just AFib?

It is my understanding that the AT/AF data recorded by my pacemaker (previously a Medtronic, and now a Boston Scientific) includes more than just AFib -- it can include other atrial misbehavior. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm?

Earlier this year I had a period of near-constant palpitations. When I went to the doctor, the folks who read my pacemaker said I was having AFibs. But the doctor read the EKG and said no: it's not AFibs, it's actually Atrial Premature Contractions. So a...

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Meds

Just got my first implant June 29, 2022.  I am 63 years young and will be 64 this Friday.  Feel good some days, then next day feel crummy at some point.  So glad I found this website.  No one prepared me for how difficult and long this recovery could be.  Started on blood thinners, no side effects, just being really cautious in the kitchen, etc.  My doctor is suggesting Beta Blockers.  I hate adding another Big Pharma.  Does anyone have experience with...

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Open MRI with Pacemaker

I am large and need an open MRI and have a MRI compatible RateDrop Pacer. I live in upstate NY and I have no place in all of New York or New England to do one with an open MRI and Pacemaker. I am willing to travel the country if I can find someplace that will do this. I am obese and round and short so I can't fit in any of the standard or extra large machines. 

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Pericarditis and breathlessness??

Hello all. Has anyone had breathlessness with pericarditis?? I have chest pressure and pain too and can't lay down without sitting upright. Dr said I have pericarditis upon listening to my chest and hearing symptoms. I was started on colchicine and ibuprofen a week ago but no improvement. The breathlessness is all the time, worse w exertion or talking. 
I did have pacemaker exchanged for defibrillator w added lead June 7, 2022. 
I'm worried this is more than perica...

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EKG Result

I had a regular yearly visit today and saw the cardiac Nurse Practitioner. She didn't mention anything wrong on my EKG and I left thinking everything is fine. When the EKG result was posted in my Health Portal and I took a look at it later today, the result says Sinus Rhythm Borderline Axis Deviation so now I'm quite worried. I left a message for a nurse to call me so I can find out more information, but it was almost five so I won't get a call back until tomorrow. Some of you see...

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Varying intensity of pulse

Just curious if anyone else has noticed if their pulse varies in how strong it feels?  My pulse varies so much in the forcefulness or intensity of it sometimes.  For example I will feel strong beats when checking my pulse then I can have some beats that I can barely feel.  Wide degree of variations...I have a crt pacemaker.  I guess it's stronger when I pace vs when I'm not pacing.  Just thought it was interesting and was wondering anyone else's experience...

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Got letter for refferal6

Hi on previous post I wrote that I was getting referred to electricity Dr ...my other cardiologist wrote this referral!! Due to PSVT FOR POSSIBLE EPS ABLABATION???what condition do I have is it serious?? Can medicine control?? Or I'm done 

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Sky Diving

I'd like to go skydiving. my blood pressure is good, I don't take meds, I exercise regularly... I have complete heart block that's why I have a pacemaker but otherwise I feel good, I feel really good. it's something I've always wanted to do. has anybody gone skydiving with a pacemaker? 

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Why do I have this heart block condition?

Hi, 

so my heart block was discovered half way through my (first and only) pregnancy when I was 29 (my heart was flipping around a bit one day). I had a planned caesarean and on that morning I actually went into total heart block. 

I quickly removed and I think I was only going into second degree and as I was asymptomatic I was left alone. 

Then during the menopause it all kicked off. once again I felt fine but was stressed about something...

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Taking my own dosage to test metropolol

Since I posted here before I use to take 25 MG metropolol 2 times per day but it was to much for me dr put me on 12.5 twice.. it's half a tablet ..I was wonder will it affect me if i take half but get another extra tiny piece to try to find if I get side effects..what am asking  why is it 12 5 and not like 18.0 ..to try to find my right dosage 

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My cardiologist gave up, he's rude !

For the last 3-4 years I been having this cardiologist he has bad bed manners not patient gets upset easily..any way he put me on cartia xt 3 years ago ..120mg per day somehow he saw something on pacemaker check and he increased doze to 180 I couldn't take side effects.  So few months ago put me on metropolol 12.5 twice per day . Last week he suggested me to get on 25mg twice per day . I tried for 3 days I felt horrible..I don't know why im. So sensative with increase dosez...

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Metropolol tartrate

I use to take cartia xt 120 MG once a day .  But I wasn't feeling good so Dr change Me to metropolol 12.5 MG twice a day according to him is a small doze . Cause I'm to sensative to side effects.  After weeks of taking it I mention to him last week that my blood pressure n pulse are always high ..so he advised me to start taking 25mg 2 timed per day total 50mg ..I noticed it slowed down my pulse always under 80bpm and blood pressure around 110 over 80 but most of day 130 ove...

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