localized pulsation

Has anyone ever experienced or heard of anything like this? If I sit hunched forward the muscles under and near my pacemaker unit pulsate. At first I thought it only a muscle twitch, but after several episodes (and other position changes are being added to my "list") I was able to assure myself it is an actual pulse - same rate as radial. I recently had the experience of being able to see it pulse through my clothing. I have been completely unsuccessful in finding information anywhere else. I hope to find out whether this is something to be reported (I just had a complete check up in June and a phone check in Sept) or just an anomaly to live with. The unit has been in since Jan '05 and have only experienced this for about 2 months - very sporadic and hard to reproduce at will which is one reason I've not yet contacted the Doc's.

2 Comments

Need to see Doc

by furnitureguy - 2007-10-27 02:10:35

Hello Vangie,

My wife had her pacemaker put in Nov. of 1999. In 2004 I would notice her twitching at the same rate as her heart beat when she was asleep and in certain positions. I had told her pacer nurse but the symptoms were ignored untill about 6 months later when I had to rush her to the ER with a hear rate of 30. After about 2 hours of test it was determined one of her leads was broken. What had happened is the protective shielding on one of her leads had worn off because it was placed to close to her Colar Bone.
I would see your Doctor as soon as possible.
Good Luck, Don

Get it checked

by ElectricFrank - 2007-11-11 04:11:58

This sounds like a lead problem. The positional symptom can come from the lead moving when you lean over. If any of the pacing current leaks from the leads into muscle tissue it can cause a twitch. Also, many of the pacers will switch to what is called "monopolar mode" if they sense a lead problem. This can result in a number of different symptoms.

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