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Pacemakers and beta blockers
I’m a 55 y old female w no prior heart issues and no cardiac history in my family . After having Covid 3times in 2021/22 I was diagnosed with second stage AV block. I had two hospitalization and subsequent pacemaker installed last week. Immediately following the surgery while still hospitalized, I had two hospitalization” events” that resulted in a BP spike and the Dr put me on low dose 25 mg beta blockers metoprolol. After four doses of that , I was very dizzy and he told me I could stop taking them . ( Against everything I read ) today is 24 hrs without the medication and I feel as if I’m right back where I started and potentially feverish . He does not seem concerned and called me last night to assure me it was ok to stop taking them . Thoughts? I have no incision pain so not worried about infection …I’d love to hear some feedback as I now have a headache and racing heart , general malaise -some of the same symptoms pre pacemaker !) thoughts ?
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Sorry to see you are experiencing this. Must be very worrying.
When you say 'racing', what exactly is the rate, and is it steady or does it rise and fall, say with exertion, standing, or when you worry about it?
A pacemaker, depending on the type and for what purpose, should not allow your heart to race if it is of the type that can help to slow the heart. A pacemaker is meant to do what its name suggests....to pace the natural heart rhythm for the current demand or need. Some of them need to be set with a pacing process, and then they are to be monitored. If your HR exceeds 110 BPM or so, say 120-130, that is abnormal and you should seek help at the local ER. Certainly don't let a high rate go unchecked for more than 24 hours because that high a rate suggests that your ventricles are contracting that quickly.
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2 Reactions@gloaming I agree. Be your advocate high bp numbers need answers.
I am now on my 4th Medtronic pacemaker beginning in 1998-99, now in 95th year of life,
And pacemaker was placed for bradycardia and beta blocker for tachycardia. Overtime dosage has changed. To keep my heart from racing I keep my bp around 105/55 approximately and daily check bp and weight. Beginning in 2000, dosage atenolol 100 mg, then reassed to 50 mg then 25 mg. So docs listen.
Today, older years I am now at
1/2 pill of 25 mg.
We are individuals with different set of medical needs.
Good luck.
Prayers and blessings. In Jesus name.
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1 Reaction@verdine if I could recommend a most important tool for you is keeping your own daily log.
Date, weight. Blood pressure and oxygen.
With heart failure, I keep sodium intake records. For me, phosphates are a no no so no no soft drinks. I am required to drink 62 oz water daily and have done all of this for 20 years. We are all different with different needs. Talk to your cardy and internist.
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2 ReactionsI experienced some tachycardia and Atrial Fib soon after my pacemaker insertion 5 years ago. I learned this is not usual but also not that uncommon and learned that when I changed electrophysiologists. The AFIB resolved after a brief period of time and it has not recurred. I would encourage you to seek input from other medical experts if it doesn’t “feel right” to you and/or you are not feeling well.
HI I AM ON BETA BLOCKERS NOW TOO!! BUT WAS JUST CHANGED TO CARVEDILOL
my BP has been so nice, I've never seen my BP run so currently the same almost all day 2x daily.
I am happy but have to wait for my eliquist to be restarted because I had a 100 % plural effusion
in my right lung after the surgery I got pneumonia day 3, and the effusion was started right after
the second placement 7 days after the first one, they said i coughed the lead out