Pacer check

Hi Everyone,

I just had my pacer check last Thursday and it showed multiple episodes of heart rates of 160 (that is where my max setting is) and also a big decrease in activity level which I didn't even know could show up on a pacer check. I am scheduled for my 7th ablation a week from today. I have had my sa node and av node ablated already but continue to have multiple issues with high heart rates and also blood pressure has started to run high. Has anyone else ever had so many issues and what is the max times that you can have an ablation? I'm also worried that this will once again not work and not sure what other options I might have. Any input would be great!

3 Comments

Heart rates of 160 and decreased activity...

by jenny97 - 2013-07-30 09:07:00

I may be speaking out of turn, but you mention decreased activity. I can't tell if that means decreased physical activity or if you are referring to specific cardiac activity. In any event, I thought I'd throw my two cents in regarding high heart rates (based on my own experience, fully recognizing that everyone is different).

My heart rate sometimes gets into the 240s when I exercise. When I shower or stand for more than a few minutes, sometimes it's between 160 and 180. However, it is more or less normal rhythm (at least now that I have my PM). A PM cannot help with the high heart rates, but, as you mention, ablation can. I had two ablations early on in my diagnostic and treatment process (early 20s), but they couldn't find/fix the problem so now I just live with it. For a while i was on beta blockers, but again, they were not as effective as I would have liked and since I have a problem with low heart rates (pre-PM) and blood pressure as well, they were problematic.

But I will say, that my high heart rates come down a little, or become more manageable the better shape I am in. So it is important for me to exercise regularly and keep my muscles strong. With regular running (which was contraindicated at first - I did it against medical advice - and I'm not advocating for that necessarily), my high heart rates are now, for the most part in the 180-200 range. Still high, and I still occasionally have higher rates, but not as high as previously.

So, all this to say that keeping physically active can help control some high heart rates, particularly if they have increased during periods of prolonged inactivity or bedrest.

Anyway, I don't know if this is helpful for you at all, but I thought I'd pass it along, just in case.

I hope you find a solution that works for you soon!

Jenny

Ablations

by gleesue - 2013-07-31 04:07:59

I’ve had 5 ablations including a pulmonary ablation. One took 9 ½ hours another 6 ½ hours and the last one only 4 ½ hours. My doc has said that because of all the scar tissue build up I may not be able to have another one. I also had the Maze procedure in 1991, just the 9th to have it done at the Cleveland Clinic.
I am very active work out 5-6 days a week, golf, tennis etc. I still go into arrhythmias but because of all the work I’ve had done to my heart I can be in an arrhythmia at 80 BPM’s. My normal is 50-60 and my PM is set at 50.
So I guess your Doc. knows best but ask him about the scar tissue build up and its long term effect on further ablations.
Good luck,
Jerry

Pacer check

by Rog - 2013-08-03 11:08:56

A friend of mine had to go four times before they go his. Mine last year they got the first try!

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

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