I’m still new to pacemakers so I’m sorry if I ask crazy stuff, but I’m scared right now?!

I have had calls

by TLee - 2021-08-11 14:23:46

I have had calls from my doctor's office when they get an automatic reading that shows something not quite right. Most recently, they told me that my a-fib appeared "poorly controlled", which was a bit of a surprise as my symptoms seemed milder to me. They had already called in a prescription for a higher dose of metoprolol. I am actually comforted by the fact that they can keep such close tabs on me.

Irregular heartbeat

by AgentX86 - 2021-08-11 16:05:37

It's probably nothing to freak out about, particularlt if you didn't knoe you hsd it (strange but thue). If this is Afib, and it sounds like because it's Irregular", it, by itself, is not dangerous. The two side-effects can be (very), however.

The most time critical is to prevent a stroke. Afib disturbs the blood flow through the atria, allowing clots to form. If a clot gets loose from the left atrium, there is a good chance that it'll go to the brain causing a stroke. To prevent this, you'll most likely be put on anticoagulants. A "test" called the "CHADS score" or one like it is used to evaluate your risk of stroke.

The other issue is your heart rate. Your resting hesrt rate shouldn't be above 100bpm. If it is, you'll need to be on sa rate control drug. The risk is enlargement of the left atrium caused by this tachcardia.

Both of these issues are usually easily corrected to reduce your risk down to normal levels.You already have a pacemaker so that eliminates one of the major side effects of a side effect (rate control doing its job too well)

If you are asymptomatic, that's really all that need be done (other than regular appointments, which you should already be doing). If you are symptomatic, the next step is yours. It comes down to quality of life. It's mind over matter (if you don't mind, it doesn'y matter). If you do, the road ahead gets murky.

Questioning is good

by Persephone - 2021-08-11 16:58:46

Cyborg - I'm sorry you're going through this and hope you get the answers you need from your doctor.  You've received some great advice from TLee and Agent here, and I just wanted to encourage you to keep asking questions - they're all valid.

I've had Several Calls

by Marybird - 2021-08-11 17:02:40

From my cardiologist's office when they got the remote reports from my pacemaker monitor. The reports indicated, as they said, short runs of a-fib ( new to me, though other types of tachycardia are not), and the first two times they increased the dosage of metoprolol. The third time they called to inform me of an alert they had gotten indicating 2 hours of afib, with additional shorter runs. The cardiologist wanted to see me in the office for that, and he handed me a diagnosis of afib, and a prescription of Eliquis, instructed me about afib, and also verified that they were monitoring my pacemaker reports.

It's kind of scary when it happens the first time, but after that, I had to say I find it somewhat comforting that someone's going to see what's going on when my heart misbehaves. It lets me go ahead and live my life without having to worry about it.

Calls

by ROBO Pop - 2021-08-11 18:25:06

I get calls from my Cardiologists office all the time. They're usually just checking to see if I'm still alive...I'm serious, seems my Merlin home monitor is telling tales on me.  At least I know they're paying attention.

I'M GETTING WORRIED ABOUT YOU after reading your recent posts. Let me suggest you consult a medical professional and see about getting an anti-anxiety medication to help you cope at least short term until you get comfortable with your new reality. The stress and worry are not good and will further impact your health. 

Don't misunderstand, we're delighted you keep asking questions, that's what we are here for, it's certainly not the scenary. Look up some past discussions on your questions and also google them so you get more comfortable with your condition and what it means to you long term. I'm sure the more you learn the more confident you'll be that this is not a death sentence, it's the beginning of a new life for you. My goodness I have just about everything you can have wrong with my heart, had quadruple by-pass, valve replacement, and I sport my 3rd CRT-D and am paced 100% In both ventricles yet here it is 15 years later and I'm still annoying my wife. Cheer up things will get better.