fast/slow heart rate

hi i was just wondering if anyone knew the answer as to why i suffer from a regular fast heartrate sometimes and need beta blockers to slow the rate and yet i had to have a pacemaker for intermittent heart block. what i dont understand is why i have a fast heart rate that needs slowing sometimes and yet i needed a pacemaker for episodes of heart block. hope this makes sense but no one seems to understand why im confused especially as im aware of the fastheart rate but had no symptoms to the heart block which was picked up on holter test when monitoring fast heart rate. surly i cant have both.

3 Comments

Both for me also

by Vicki - 2007-09-04 06:09:47

Hi, I have the same problem. I have SVT (rapid and irregular heartbeat) and take Toprol for it. In July I went to the ER and found out I was in complete heart block. Since BB reduce your heart rate, they took me off it and kept me for 3 days. Nothing changed. Thus, a pacemaker. I also have two leaky valves. I see my cardio on Thursday and am going to try to get answers about all this. Yes, you can have both. But I am not sure why. Never got a good answer to my question.

Had same problem

by davidv - 2007-09-06 10:09:19

I had a pacemaker installed for heart block a few months ago and started having episodes of rapid heart rate. My doctor told me my heart was over reacting to the pacemaker and put me on a beta blocker which solved the problem. Over time I have been able to get off of the beta blocker. I don't know if it is from adjustments to the pacemaker or my heart just adapted. I am 52 and feel great!! How long have you had your PC?

Same for me!

by sweetkozy - 2007-09-10 12:09:53

I also have fast heart rates, heart blocks, slow heart rate, etc. My PM was implanted due to heart block, bradycardia, and PAC/PVC's. I had two cardiac ablations done for tach (fast heart rate). The first one was done before before my PM was inmplanted and the second one was done after my PM was implanted. Yes, you can have both problems and even more. Before the PM, I used to take medicine for the heart block, but then it would cause my heart to slow to much at night and when I took medicine for the tach it made my heart block much worse and also caused my heart to "skip beats" non-stop. The PM has curbed the heart block and slow rhythm, but I still have problems with a fast heart rate, even after having the sinus ablation to stop the tach's. I've been told, if I remember correctly, it has to do with the electrical workings of the heart and mine are just all screwed up. I have also been told, a long time ago, it might have something to do with a sensitive vagal nerve. (not totally sure on that though)

Hope this makes some sense. Trying to explain fast before the kids think they need to start typing too. LOL

Cheers,
Jenny

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