Tachycardia

I found out during my last PM interrogation that I was having episodes of tachycardia. These episodes were not present before the PM and are causing very uncomfortable sensations and symptoms. Is this normal? I am unable to take meds for the tachy because of my low blood pressure. Am I in store for an ablation or other invasive procedure?
I am scheduled to see my doc again on Friday to see if the episodes are posing any sort of threat. Any questions that you can suggest I ask her would be greatly appreciated. I am just at a loss at this point, and I am pretty overwhelmed by the whole situation. Not only am I not feeling well physically, but this whole ordeal is starting to take an emotional toll as well. Thanks in advance for your input!

Amanda

4 Comments

do you know what kind of Tachycardia's?

by turboz24 - 2008-01-27 08:01:54

Did he mention if they are SVT's or VT's?

If you are having VT's and you can not take any meds to help control the Vtachs, they would probably try an ablation or my upgrade your pacemaker to an ICD instead. If he does this, research ICD's and make sure you are as comfortable as possible with the placement (ICD's are 2X+ the size of a pacemaker, mine is about 2" around).

If your problem is SVT's, I understand they are uncomfortable, but a lot of people have learned how to control them when they happen and they are not life threatening, so they may decide to not do anything in that case.

SVT

by ela-girl - 2008-01-27 11:01:14

In my humble opinion, any heart arrhythmia can be life threatening. To say that SVT's are not is playing down the seriousness of this arrhythmia. I'm no doctor and I know that there are varying degrees of SVT, but a heart rate that can go from 150-200 BPM or even to 300 at times IS life threatening. And any heart arrhythmia is NOT normal. My understanding of SVT is that there are many different options for trying to control it depending on what is best for you and your condition and what works for you.

I had my pm implanted via emergency surgery for severe bradycardia and syncope. I have been on a beta-blocker for 4 or 5 years now for its beta-blocking effect (not due to high BP)--supposedly I had a variable heart rate that would tachy-brady even though there is nothing in my chart about the tachy (I moved states and my old cardio gave me the BB without any info and now I have a great EP trying to 'fix' me). My EP is slowly taking me off the beta-blocker to see if I really do have SVT since my syncope and bradycardia have now been corrected with the pacer. He thinks I may have SVT but be asymptomatic more or less but it was the bradycardia really doing me in. I go back in February for a pacer check to see about the SVT since I'm taking half my regular dose of beta-blocker. So I, too, have been curious about SVT. If the pacer check shows signs of SVT, I have to stay on the BB because it has been controlling it so far...if no signs, then I get to try being off the BB completely for a month then go back for another pacer check to see about the SVT.

I was also curious what you blood pressure is...you say it is low....may I ask how low?

Anywho's...this is just my input.
ela-girl

One More Thing...

by ela-girl - 2008-01-27 11:01:32

It is also my understanding that anyone with tachy should avoid stimulants like caffeine or nonprescription decongestants or alcohol or energy pills/drinks etc.

ela-girl

St.Jude Girl

by St Jude Girl - 2008-01-29 06:01:57

Hi..I am new to your group. Have had my double lead PM for one year. Problem: tackybrady. I have been reading alot here that is helping me better understand the situation. Problem is that I don't know what ICD - SVT- BB - and VT stand for. I apologize for my stupidity....hate to ask, but could someone bring me up to speed so I don't feel like I am guessing at this.

Can you also tell me what feeling you get when the PM kicks on. There are times when I have a fullness in my chest, kind of like bubbles and a tightness in my throat along with a bit of shortness of breath (I do have COPD so that could account for the breath problem). I talked with my Dr about it and he sent me to the ER to be checked out. They couldn't find anything wrong. Wore a monitor for 24 hours but nothing happened during that period. I am assuming it could be that I sometimes am feeling the PM working. Checking the PM printout, the Dr says it is supplying 20% of heart action.

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