out of breath

I had the pacemaker implanted in February.  The week before it was implanted I was doing 45 minutes on an episcopal @ 4 miles an hour, getting a target heart rate of 148 and barely breathing hard.  Now the simple act of walking up a couple flights of stairs or a small slope or mowing my small level yard leaves me out of breath. My pluse never rises above 60.  I should add that my pacemaker was implanted because of Vfib not for a slow heart rate,

Thanks

5 Comments

Quality of life

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-14 11:31:33

I understand that you are saying that before you got the pacemaker you were physically fit and able to exercise vigorously. Since the pacemaker you are very much worse in terms of what you are physically able to do.

But I think you are leaving out an important piece of data. Since getting the pacemaker are  you also on drugs to control the Vfib?  Anti-arrhythmia drugs can slow the heartrate to dangerous levels. Hence the need for the pacemaker.

My guess is that your heartrate is being kept artificially low, not by the pacemaker, but by the drug(s.) The pacemaker is only there to keep your heartrate from falling too low to support life--which, since your heartrate doesn't go below 60 BPM, it seems like it's doing. If your heartrate could climb above 60 on its own, the pacemaker would let it.

Have you told your doctor you are struggling to do the most basic of physical activities? It seems to me that a heart-to-heart talk with your doctor about your quality of life is in order.

Quality of life

by Twtickle - 2018-06-14 12:14:03

No I am not on any heart meds.  My meds have not been altered int the last 2 years.

Rate Response

by Grateful Heart - 2018-06-14 12:24:33

It sounds like you need the Rate Response feature turned on.  It will raise your HR appropriately upon any movement.  You should not be stuck at 60 bpm.

Talk to your doc.

Grateful Heart

QOL

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-14 22:04:11

Being stuck at 60 certainly isn't good.  I'd have someone's throat between my hands!  ;-)  I had my pacemaker implanted in February, as well.  My heart rate only varies between 70 and about 105, which is a little limiting but at least I can walk long distance.  It would be easier if it got a little higher but I can deal with it.

You don't mention what type of pacemaker you have (mode, number of leads, etc.).

I second the motion for cardiac rehab, though you were doing well just a few months ago.  If you can get your PM rate fixed, you may not need it.  It really helped me when I had my CABG 3-1/2 years ago.  They showed me that I could exercise (I'm walking 15mi/day now.

Do talk with your EP.  You shouldn't have to put up without rate control, these days.

Thanks

by Twtickle - 2018-06-15 09:57:50

Thanks for all the great input folks.  I have an appt with my Doc this afternoon for some reprograming.  

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