Palpitations

Palpitations can be normal following pacemaker implant - it was for me

by Gemita - 2023-03-13 07:03:13

Vickj, while we can expect disturbances of heart rhythm and pain symptoms immediately following implant, I would always advise you to go “by how you feel”.  If you feel fairly steady (not dizzy or faint or breathless) and your heart rate is not above 100 bpm, then I would try to gently continue with your activities and to stay calm.  Get plenty of rest if you feel tired and keep well hydrated.  

With my doctor’s knowledge, I take a magnesium supplement (Magnesium Orotate) and together with my beta blocker this can be very effective at calming my palpitations and reducing stress levels.  It is all about finding what works best for you.

Palpitations following implant was a noticeable problem for me, especially when my heart rate increased and I felt uncomfortable with some breathlessness and chest discomfort.  This continued intermittently for several months.  Don’t forget, our hearts have been traumatised by the procedure with lead tips actively attached to heart tissue.  It will take time to get used to being paced and some of us may have difficult symptoms at first.  I also developed additional rhythm disturbances during the first few months following pacemaker implant, but these eventually settled and only rarely occur now.

I experienced collarbone pain due to lead trauma during my implant procedure.  This took a long time to heal, but I felt better once collateral circulation formed.  Collateral circulation is nature’s way of keeping blood flowing by providing back up blood vessels in the body which can take over when a vein becomes damaged or blocked.

I hope things improve for you quickly.

Gemita

by VickJ - 2023-03-13 07:19:07

Thank you for replying, that is reassuring as I feel better than before surgery, just tender but I appreciate its early days yet. 

I was reading on here earlier about drinking more, why would that be? 

I need to follow my own advice !

by Gemita - 2023-03-13 07:49:20

VickJ, dehydration can be a major cause of palpitations for many of us.  I know it is for me.  Also if we suffer from low blood pressure, taking on extra fluids, providing doctor is okay with that, can help to maintain blood pressure and prevent it from falling too low since the pacemaker cannot control a fall in blood pressure as it can control a fall in heart rate.  A fall in blood pressure can certainly cause dizziness, faintness and trigger palpitations (for me).

Hydration for me personally means everything works better.  I sleep better (but don’t drink too much after 6 pm otherwise you will be up all night urinating), I think better, I exercise better.  It can help prevent migraine headaches and constipation.  What more could I ask for?  Anyway, read all about the benefits of Water and Healthier Drinks:-

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-heart-palpitations

We need to remember that our blood contains water so when we become dehydrated our blood can become thicker (bad news for us arrhythmia sufferers).  The thicker our blood becomes, the harder our hearts have to work to move blood through the veins.  This can increase heart rate and potentially lead to palpitations, if that makes sense.  Now I need to drink a glass of water!

Gemita

by VickJ - 2023-03-13 08:50:19

Makes perfect sense, Thank You x

Palpitations

by Fable - 2023-03-13 10:41:23

I also had discomfort after my PM procedure. For about the first week I had such a heaviness in the middle of my chest but after joining this group and reading up in some of the forums it settled my nerves.   This is where I go with my questions, although sometimes their answers go right over my head. 

Normal

by Lavender - 2023-03-13 11:22:34

I had a lot of palpitations when I first got my pacemaker.  It settled down. I think the heart is just protesting having been invaded. Give it time. 
 

Having said that, please don't ever feel intimidated to ask your cardiologist or EP questions while you adapt to your new device. My former cardiologist was short fused with questions and that made me not report in with valid concerns. 
 

Neck tenderness and collarbone pain-yep-been there done that during the healing process. Took me about seven months and one day I noticed that I was feeling pretty darn good!😃

Hope you are finally sleeping better!❤️‍🩹

Another comment about fluids

by Persephone - 2023-03-13 12:23:43

Hi there, just want to add that you probably lost some bodily fluid during the surgery (my surgery report included a measurement of the blood loss, for example, so my body had to work to replace that blood) plus all of the stress of this experience and recovery can change the way we react to fluid intake, at least temporarily. You can do a skin pinch test on back of your hand or lower arm as a rough indicator of dehydration.

A small bag of ice in a tube shape on your neck might help relieve your neck soreness a bit.

Hope you continue on your progress toward feeling better

Thank.you

by VickJ - 2023-03-13 13:57:38

Thank you everyone, I am feeling better day by day. And I'm feeling not as concerned now. Thank.you . 

Feeling better

by AgentX86 - 2023-03-15 02:06:31

That's great! Soon you'll be forgetting all about us.  😁

AgentX86

by VickJ - 2023-03-15 03:50:13

Oh I Hope not, all your comments have been so helpful. 

I did manage to sleep fairly well until 6 ish which is amazing and also slept reasonably comfortably for about an hour on my right side which was bliss!