Scared

Hi

I have just had a pacemaker fitted four days ago. I am 56 and had a resting pulse rate of 30 at night. The cardiologist thought that this would make my life better. The pacemaker was set at 60 b.p.m. resting.

I cannot get use to my heart being fast and this has made me very anxious.

Anyone else out there feel the same

10 Comments

yes yes yes

by jessie - 2008-01-20 02:01:13

i was lucky. i had my setting set at 60 and it must have been lucky because i didn't have problems. that is to say my setting would never again go below 60. please listen to the others who know more than i and go to the doctor and tell him what is going on. so take care things will get better jessie

Great advice offered above...

by bambi - 2008-01-20 02:01:33

I don't have anything to add to the great posts by Cathryn, Golem, and Cycledoc, except that whenever my settings have been adjusted too high, I have felt jittery, high, and panicky until I get used to it. Sometimes it would take 2 weeks. It is very important to mention all this to your Dr. He should work on fine tuning the settings to make you comfortable. Keep us posted on how you're doing! Take care,
Bambi

I hated mine set at 70

by Suze - 2008-01-20 03:01:33

I know what you mean about feeling anxious. They tried upping my resting rate from 60 to 70 after a year. I felt like my chest was really thumping hard. I went back the next day and they set it at 65 (resting) and 60 (sleeping). It doesn't seem like such a small increase would feel so different but it really did. Maybe I could have become used to the higher rate but I figured why try.

Anyway, speak up and tell the doctor or tech what is comfortable for YOU !

Oh yes, let me welcome you to this club. You will like it here.

Take care,
Suze

Hi and Welcome!

by tcrabtree85 - 2008-01-20 04:01:48

I have not read one other comment but wanted to welcome you to the club. I don't get as often as I use to and can completely understand how and why you could be scared. I am 22 and remember almost a year ago coming on here saying how stressful it is to have your life change so dramatically. It takes time to get use to having a pm but overtime you will adjust and realize that it is there to help you live a stronger life. Many people are here to help you and or to just talk. Feel free anytime you need somebody to talk to send me a private message. Many blessings and prayers coming your way!

Tammy

Bottom rate set at 45

by VonnieVern - 2008-01-20 05:01:59

My pacemaker's bottom rate was set at 60 initially, and I found it rather aggravating at bedtime. After 3 weeks, I complained and it was lowered to 45. Still, I found the constant awareness of such a strong heartbeat annoying. In addition, whenever I walked a bit (like down the hallway at school) I felt like my heart was pounding as if I'd been exercising. So they deactivated the rate response feature, and within a few minutes I felt so much better. I'm 50, and was not bothered by my usually slow heartrate, but got the pacemaker when I was scheduled for a medical procedure and my heartrate was in 30s.

Vonnie

relax

by golem - 2008-01-20 08:01:20

Dear Jules,

I'm 54 and used to have a very low pulse rate as well. Untill recently it really never bothered me too much although I have fainted a few times, but there was always a reason, so I never related it to a specific condition. When I lost consciousness during a flight from India back to Holland I was a bit more concerned and saw my GP. Turned out I had a serious AV block and needed a PM quickly. I got mine on Novemebr 22nd, 2007. Although getting it in turned out to be an issue, eventually it worked and it is now ticking also at 60 bpm in rest and at night even at 50bpm. Interestingly enough, conduction seems to be very good, because the output could be set at a very low level and I cannot feel it working at all. It took a little while to get used to the different frequency during the night, but nothing serious. After my six weeks rest perion I have now taken up my exercise routine again and to my surprise I am almost back to my old level in a very short timeframe. (Uper limit hase even been increased to 140bpm on my request.) This all has really helped me to feel at ease and I am even pretty proud of my achievements. My doctors have cleared me for almost everything last week and when I said I was careful not to stress too much they said there is no reason to hold back and I should not be afraid to pull a lead as long as I wouldn't do any pull ups, but even pressing overhead shouldn't be a problem. I am now doing benchpresses and dumbell presses etc with seriuos weights and also cardio exercises like elliptical trainers.

I am sending this long message to update other readers on my progress (some have given me helpful feedback earlier, like gevens; thanks again!) but principally to let you know that you shouldn't worry too much. Your new life with the PM should be more secure then it was before and you will soon get used to the higher beat during the night. If it really bothers you, perhaps your technician can get the setting lowered to e.g. 50 bpm. Discuss it and share your problem with your doctors, but give it a little time!
Good luck and don't worry!

Golem

Relax 2

by Cycledoc - 2008-01-20 11:01:02

My pacemaker was installed on Nov 1, 2007. I had complete heart block with a rate or about 35 at rest. I am 66 years of age and am an avid cyclist. As a matter of fact I noted the problem while cycling--my heart rate didn't increase as it had previously.

The PM (pacemaker) has markedly improved my exercise tolerance but it required tweeking. As Golem suggests you can ask your physician to slow the rate from 60, if it bothers you. Since these gadgets have several programs to increase the rate with exercise you may want to check how your rate responds to exercise to be sure that it is appropriate. In my case my PM (Guidant Insignia) was set to respond to acceleration and what they call minute ventilation (my breathing rate). It resulted in an inappropriately rapid response. Since my sinus node (the heart's natural pacemaker in the atrium--the top of the heart) was functioning well we've turned off the accelerometer and minute ventilation responses. I've felt normal since and am exercising to maximum heart rate (155/minute) without difficulty. I'm looking forward to better weather so I can get out on the road.

Talk with you physician (electrophysiologist) and explain what your concerns are. He probably will be able to adjust the PM for you.

Cycledoc

Thanks all

by Jules - 2008-01-22 01:01:21

Thanks all for those comments and glad to hear that I am not alone in this. I am due back on the 22nd Feb and will certainly make notes along the way to ask if I can have the resting heart rate reduced to 50. I feel that this would benefit me and I would not be for ever testing my pulse.

Thanks all

Julie

set at 70

by fermina52 - 2008-04-24 04:04:46

HI 8 weeks ago I got my PM/with defr and it was set at 70, and I actually started power walking and I seen my heart rate go up to 123...
I am 52 and was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome and for 3 months I was walking around with 40-50 heart rate and thought was medication, 1 morning it went down to 30 I was going into congestive heart failure ..
but survived

please note that a normal heart heart for a 50+ should be in the 70..

Scared

by suejohn - 2008-06-27 11:06:39

I have had my PM for 5 years now and am 55. Like you I was so worried about whether it would fail or not when I was first implanted and for some it takes little time to 'trust' the pacer, I am sure by now you are feeling absolutely on top of the world but should you have any worries about anything to do with your pacer - then dont be afraid toask - they are used to us !! Best of luck to you and happy pacing - Sue

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.