heart pounding

Good morning to all....one more question I have...I was sitting in a chair relaxing watching a movie...all of a sudden my heart just pounded like it was going to jump out of my chest...about 6 or 8 times...just thud thud hard....what in the world was that...was it my pacemaker taking care of business or what ?...I have had my defib go off because it was set wrong right after the first month but it was reset but this was not like that at all..no pain but thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest..Has anyone had this happen or really was that the pacemeker correcting something.?..hope someone can tell me ..This has never happened in the 6 months that I have had the ICD....Thank you for an answer...

3 Comments

heart pounding

by anniesu - 2012-07-01 01:07:10

Thank you Pookie....I appreciate your answer..That sure makes sence...It sure was a weird feeling ..I thought my heart was going to just jump out of my chest...It hasnt happened since...so thanks again

Hi:)

by Pookie - 2012-07-01 11:07:29

I am only guessing, but this is what could have happened:

We have our own natural pacemaker in the heart called the SA or AV node (can't remember which one it is) and now you have an artificial pacemaker. Sometimes what happens is this: our artificial pacemaker is sitting there in wait, waiting for your natural pacemaker to send the electrical current to start your heart (beat) and what ends up happening is that they both go off at the same time.

Now that is "the" most messiest and unprofessional way to explain it, but I don't remember the right wording when it was explained to me.

It has happened to me several times since 2004 when I received my Medtronic Enpulse pacemaker and I know it has happened to others because I've seen similar posts, with that being said - you could use the "search" feature - upper right hand corner - and type in the words "heart pounding" and you should get oodles of posts (and comments) regarding this issue.

If it starts to become quite frequent, then I'd call your doctor or go to the ER where they could perhaps catch it on an EKG, but most times it will just settle itself out.

It's like your natural pacemaker and your artificial pacemaker are fighting for 1st place:)

Hope this helps,
Pookie

:)

by Pookie - 2012-07-02 01:07:08

You're welcome.

Pookie

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

I've never had a problem with my model.