sick sinus syndrome

Palpitations

by Good Dog - 2022-10-22 15:19:16

Do you have the rate response turned-on? The PM will only kick-in if you have the rate response turned-on. If it is turned-on, it may need to be fine tuned. Rate response sometimes takes multiple adjustments to get it functioning optimally for you. It is very early to expect your heart to react and/or respond optimally so soon after the implant. It is very likely that there are other PM settings that also need to be tweeked. It could be that what you are feeling is what I call double-beats. That is where your PM fires and at almost the same time your natural beat engages. It is highly likely that these are just ectopic beats which are harmless arrhythmias. Although harmless, I know that they don't feel good. In any case, if they continue and are very bothersome, you should contact your doc. They can do a remote interrogation of your PM or you could even go in if necessary. Whatever the case, it is good to stay on top of it and do not hesitate to contact your EP if you are not feeling well! I am confident that if you are patient, you and your Doc will get all the wrinkles ironed-out.

I wish you the best!

Sincerely,

Dave

SSS

by laurieb03 - 2022-10-23 11:03:36

THANKS DAVE.

WHAT DOES RATE RESPONSE TURNED ON MEAN? AND HOW DO I KNOW IF THAT IS TURNED ON?

I AM GOING FOR A FOLLOW UP NOVE 4- 

LAURIE

First pacemaker check

by Gotrhythm - 2022-10-23 13:10:10

A pacemaker doesn't control or prevent palpitations. A pacemaker can only prevent your heartrate from going too slow, and speed up the heart when you need a higher rate for exercise. 

It will take a while for your heart to get used to being paced. It's common to feel more palpitations or arrythmias than ususal for a while before things settle down.

You're sceduled for your first pacemaker check Nov 4.  At that time they'll make sure that everything is working as it should.

At the pacemaker check be ready to ask questions about your pacemaker settings. Right now the pacemaker settings are the "out of the box," kind of one-size-fits all. Rate response is about how much the pacemaker will speed up your heart when you exercise and how fast it will speed up. When discussing rate rate response be sure to let them know you do crossfit. You might need a different RR from someone who is sedentary.

Rate Response

by Good Dog - 2022-10-23 20:24:56

Hi again Laurie! I think that Gotrhythm addressed your concerns very well. As she explained; Rate Response is a setting in the PM that can be turned-on to automatically adjust your heart's rate response based upon your activity level. You only need that turned-on if your heart is not responding sufficiently on its own during periods of exercise. I have had my PM for 35+ years and have never had it turned on. When I was younger I was very athletic and did just fine without it. When I played basketball my HR was sometimes too high to count. My PM wasn't even needed during exercise. Today is a different story. As I've gotten older, I had it turned-on for a short trial and it seemed to create a lot of annoying palpitations that were very bothersome, so they turned it off. In any case, my PM was initially implanted to prevent my HR from going too low. I was in complete AV heart block (3rd degree) at the time. Though, long before then my HR would drop into the mid 30's when I slept. I had a congenital 1st degree AV heart block that eventually progressed to a full block. 

Anyway, as Gotrhythm suggested; write down all your questions and concerns so you can have the Doc address them when you go.

Best wishes,

Dave

SSS

by laurieb03 - 2022-10-24 10:50:02

again many thanks!!