Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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Hawthorn Berry Extract and other traditional Meds

I know that complementary / alternative medicine is a topic that many hold strong opinions on, and that's okay; I respect everyon's right to choose.  The purpose of this post is for me to try to gather information for myself.

I'm on a Beta Blocker holiday after a long discussion with my PCP and an email chat w/ my cardiologist.  The "holiday" is due to side effects of the drug for me, and my PCP in particual told me I was not being rash or irresponsi...

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Dofetilide

Like many I am on Flecainide (100mg). My rhythm problems keep getting worse. My EP is recommending that I switch to Dofetilide. Dofetilide is a stronger drug and requires caerful usage (I need to spend 24 hours/day for 3 days within the 4 walls of the hospital with frequent EKGs to gather data on what's right for me).

Anyone have exerience with Dofetilide?

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Cardiac CT Scan

Re-posting this from a comment I made on an old thread in case you are scheduled for one and want to know what to expect. I also have a couple of questions about my results:

"I had a Cardiac CT scan today (5/24)(to get more detail from a recent echocardiogram)  and I have a Medtronic dual lead PM.  There were no issues during the scan with my PM and it was a painless procedure, other than the pain of getting an IV.  A few things to be aware of.  Did no...

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atrial flutter event and now testing

I had a 10-hr episode of atrial flutter and was on my way to the ER at the hosptial my EP works, which is almost 3 hrs from my house, and it converted when I was about 30 min from my house, so relieved so returned home.  EP's office said it had started at 2 am (I woke up at 6 with fast rate, sweating, and very symptomatic) and spoke to them about 8.  I had 2 more episodes the following 2 days, was again very symptomatic, but converted after about 20 min each.  

I went...

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I had my stress echocardiogram today

Just a holding post to tell you that I got through my Stress Echocardiogram today.  They didn’t put me on an exercise bike and make me work, but gave me something intravenously instead to increase my heart rate.  It did the job and I had awful chest discomfort as my heart rate was increased.

The procedure was successful in that it gave them the information they were looking for but it was ever so uncomfortable because they tried hard to get good views, pushing between my...

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Heart rate dropping at night

This is (I hope) more curoiosity than anthing else... but whatever. There are some heart rhythm experts here that I hope can provide insight.

Background: after years of adventures with drug resistant AF, pace-and-ablate, then diagnosed with diastolic heart failure (should have been diagnosed10 years before but hey), having an SCA and then an ICD, I had a heart transplant in 2022.  Life was (and continues to be) good (we wil not dwell on drug side effects because honestly...

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Arrhythmias - what can your pacemaker do to help?

Hi everyone, 

The most common indications for permanent pacemaker implantation are Sinus Node dysfunction and high-grade atrioventricular block, both of which I believe are classified as disorders of heart rhythm.  Our pacemakers manage to treat these conditions successfully, but what can a pacemaker realistically do to control other heart rhythm problems like Atrial Fibrillation or even perhaps simple, benign ectopic beats which can cause such havoc inside our hearts?

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Use of Portable ECG Monitors

This week I went to my GP to discuss the two recent Holter tests. One was a 7 day and the other a 2 day. Nothing really unusual was found. I wasn't surprised as a felt okay during these periods. In between and after the second test, I have had lots of palpitations and ectopic beats which leaves me unwell. My doctor suggested getting a home ECG device. Today I got a KardiaMobile 6 lead device and when using for the first time, it would only work on the one lead setting. It said possible AF...

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Eblation

Having my first followups for my pacemaker and TAVR.   The Pacemaker folks say I have artilial flutter and a-fib.  They said I am 100% in a-fib.  They gave me a medicine called Amiodarone HCL 200 MG.  They keep talking about re-setting my heart...has anyone had this experience?  I understand the reason for eblation but not sure why they want me to take this medication and what's the deal about resetting my heart.  

If anyone has taken thi...

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Stress Echocardiogram

I have a stress echocardiogram booked for 29th May.  My first stress echocardiogram in years.  This test combines an ultrasound of the heart with a treadmill exercise test which measures how well the heart works under stress.  The stress echo test has been ordered to see if coronary artery disease is present since I am experiencing intermittent chest pain and other symptoms. 

I am wondering if any member has had a stress echocardiogram specifically to look ...

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"Stiff heart"

Not strictly a pacemaker topic, but a newly available medication.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwg74zlgl7o.

At over £300 a capsule, expensive.

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MRI

I have been told by my EP team at Duke that my pacemaker implanted 2022 is MRI conditional.

The  pacemaker itself is MRI compliant and according to ST Jude the leads, implanted 2011, are "grandfathered."

Nevertheless, the local hospital has refused to do an MRI citing my specific pacemaker as the reason.

My question is, what does "MRI conditional" mean exactly? What "conditions" apply?

 

 

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Flushing

I read somewhere that arrhythmia can cause flushing. Is this true? 

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Leg cramps at night got worse after pacemaker implant

I had a Metronic Azure pacemaker implanted about 4 days ago.  It is only pacing a ventricle.  My problem has been bradycardia for many years and my heart rate recently got too low.  Coincidentally, I went into afib.  It is not clear if the afib worsened the bradycardia or vice versa.

The surgeon decided to leave the atria alone and only pace the ventricle for starters because to fix the afib, an atrial ablation would be necessary and his statistics indicate it i...

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New to Pacemaker Club

I had a pacemaker implanted on February 22 after having an ablation for afib and another for atrial flutter. While sitting, my heart rate is perfect--72-76 bpm. When I do something as simple as walking from den to kitchen, it may run to 88 bpm, sometimes in the 90's.  I had my first check with cardiologist Monday and he says all is fine, but this seems a little fast to me. My rate before surgery was 45--maybe I haven't adjusted to the faster rate. Is this normal? Thanks for...

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Digoxin

Hello guys, 

I was wondering what side effects you've had while on digoxin. I started it today and I started having some GI issues. Does anyone have any tips on how to help feel better? Does it get better as time goes on? 

Thanks! 

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Life Line Screening

Is it OK to have these ultrasound tests done.  I have a pacemaker.

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PVC's

68 y/o very active male, I am 6 months post op dual lead Medtronic pacemaker.  100% right ventricle pacing, 38% rt atrium pacing with a VVI algorithm and 150 BPM top and 60 BPM bottom.  Started having PVC's a week ago for no apparent reason, no change in lifestyle at all I can point to as a contributor.  Sent a pacemaker transmission through my App and my cardiologist set me up for an appointment this afternoon to discuss.  My PVC's are constant, skipping beats, po...

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If you could rename Heart Failure, what would you call it?  

No one likes the term “heart failure” since it implies a terminal condition.  Heart Failure sounds so final as though it is the end stage of all diseases related to the heart.  But is it always so final for those of us who have been given a diagnosis of heart failure when it may have a treatable or even reversible cause in some instances, especially if it is caught early?

Instead should we perhaps call it something like Heart weakness, Heart impairment or Hear...

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Gut Microbiome

We’ve talked about diet quite a bit recently on this forum, so I apologise for bringing it up again but there’s a lot of information being passed on to consumers (and patients) re: improving our gut microbiome and how we should aim to eat 30 different plant based food items p/week for various reasons. Reasons include: the impact on the environment, our intestinal health, to improve our immune system, reduce inflammation and for the prevention of diseases - e.g. gastrointestinal di...

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You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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