police work

i am a police officer and just had a PM placed 3 weeks ago. I now have low blood pressure that makes me light headed and dizzy sometimes and my vision sometimes gets a little blurry. My doctor said they can only blunt my symptoms but they will never really go away. I am unsure if I will be able to return to work. I am just windering if any other police officers have a PM and how it affects their job?

6 Comments

Don't despair

by boatman50 - 2008-05-10 07:05:13

My first suggestion is to go see an EP. They know much more about your heart and a pacemaker then a cardiologist, they are specialists. I also have those same feelings as you and this is what my EP did.
He raised my lower pm rate to 70, (up from 50), thats as slow as my heart can go. he took me off all meds and told me to stay well hydrated. I drink mostly water and Propels. This has helped me very much and even though I still get those feelings it is not nearly as much, almost 2 years since my pm.

The Same

by Jules - 2008-05-10 12:05:09

Hi

Hope this helps but I too had very low blood pressure and still do but it is getting busy.

You can tell when it drops and I just stand still for a couple of seconds and it passes.

My doctors over here said if it felt like it was very low put a little salt on my salad or whatever.

Hope all goes well.

Low BP & Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2008-05-10 12:05:46

Hello Meg,

Welcome to the PM Club.

Before you decide it is time to throw in the towel, see anther doctor. Some of the things you list do not add up. For example, I never heard of low blood pressure as a result of a pacemaker implant. An increase in BP yes, but not a decrease.

My reasoning for that statement is BP readings are nothing but numerical statements on the resistance blood encounters in going from the heart or returning to the heart. If a pacemaker increases our heart rate, then that means more a higher blood flow and thereby an increase in BP pressure. On the other hand, if the doctor had to prescribe some medication to alleviate a heart rhythm problem you may be experiencing many of these medication will cause lower blood pressure. Low blood pressure which can cause dizzy spells, blurred vision and other symptoms we do not want.

What I'm saying is you did have medicines prescribed for a heart problem. These medications can solve a heart problem and they can create a problem such as a slow heart rate and that is why some of us get pacemakers.

Of course all I've said is nothing more than a guess as I know nothing about your overall health and it would probably not make any difference if I did, as I'm not a doctor. But it just sounds to me like another opinion may serve you well.

I wish you the best,

Smitty

Low Blood Pressure & Dizziness

by Pookie - 2008-05-10 12:05:54

There are a few medications for low blood pressure that perhaps you can ask your doctor about. Increasing your salt and water intake can help.

Did the doctor(s) say why all of a sudden AFTER the pacemaker you are now experiencing this?

I would ask for a Tilt Table Test....

Also...you can find a wealth of information on this site about low blood pressure and dizziness if you do a Search....upper right hand corner. Lots of helpful information!

Good luck and keep pushing your doctors for answers.

And, oh, Welcome to the Club...

Pookie.

I agree with Boatman

by bini - 2008-05-13 08:05:02

I too suffer from extreme low BP, that is why I got my PM. It is important to find a good Dr. who will do different tests to find the reason why your BP is so low and causing you symtoms.

Also, salt in your diet does help, Gatorade, Propel are very good as well. There are also many BP meds that can help too.
Each person reponds differently to different techniques in resloving the low BP... so it is very important to find a Dr. who is willing to do everything possible to help resolve this issue.

Good luck!!!!
Christine

Same problem

by mad trapper - 2008-11-06 05:11:16

After about four weeks after my ICD was implanted I had the same symptoms, dizziness, light headed, forgetfullness and just plain beat. Spent two days in the hospital, they couldnt find anything. I feel better but Im still not the same as I was before the implant. Im a cop still working the street.

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