Problematic issues with pacemaker

I've had my pacemaker since April 2014. Three Issues:

From that day forward I have had difficulty sleeping at night--I wake up ever 2 to 2-1/2 hours throughout the night. I go back to sleep but it does interfere with a good night's rest. I do not have sleep apnea.

Also, my blood pressure is higher now than before the pacemaker was installed.

Finally, my problem was sick sinus syndrome and the pacemaker has kept my heart at or above 60bpm which is great. BUT, 10 months later, my heart is beginning to beat too rapidly now--over 100 bpm when sitting still! A little arrythymia as well.

Anyone else experience these things? Obviously I shall discuss with my doctor but am interested to know if these are common occurrences with a pacemaker. Thanks!

3 Comments

Stuff Happens

by NiceNiecey - 2015-01-12 04:01:47

Hi Lil.
I am now 12 months into my PM journey and some of what you've posted sounds like my experience as well.

My entire life my BP was normal or low, as much as 70/59 on a regular basis! Fast forward to getting my PM and now it's a bit high. I now take a BB to help control high heart rates and it helps the BP too (now regularly around 130/85).

I don't know what it is but somehow I really think that the actual process of getting a PM fixes one (or more!)problem(s) yet also causes others. I'm sorry if this is upsetting to hear/read but it's just my opinion. I don't know if there is any basis in fact in my comments.

It could also just mean that while one problem is being treated, others have surfaced. Who knows.

Hang in there with me! I have a new life now that is very different than my pre-PM life. But my heart is beating steadily and that's the most important take away

problems

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-12 11:01:17

It's normal to not sleep as well at first when we're sore but that shouldn't be a problem now. Could you be feeling the self test? That happens the same time every night.

Theoretically, bp and pulse are unrelated. All the pm is doing is sending the signal to beat when the heart slacks off, the heart responds to the signal by contracting and beating. That's all the pm can do.

The last sounds like the rate response may need adjusting. It senses movement and raises your rate for you. The sensitivity can be changed so it doesn't go up as quickly or as easily. That it happens at rest is a puzzle. Do you have av block with the SSS? In that case, the atria was always going faster but the signal wasn't getting through to the ventricles and the pulse was artificially low, so once paced we can sometimes go too fast for a while. Make a note of the times it happens so they can see what the pm was doing at the time.

Beta blocker?

by TJ319 - 2015-01-14 01:01:05

Early in my journey I began to have trouble with my heart rate after exercising. It would stay high for hours. My original diagnosis that led to the PM was Sick Sinus. Prior to the PM, I never had trouble with high heart rate and, after exercise, it always settled down to normal within a few minutes.

So I called my doc, saw him the next day and he decided to put me on Metoprolol 50 mg. It has worked very nicely. I can exercise and have no problems with high hear rate.

I can't offer any advice regarding sleep problems, though.

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Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.