Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Hi I'm Mark, I'm 54 and live in Plano, TX (near Dallas)...I guess I'm here because I want to know about pacemakers, but I might be the only one of the group that has no arrhythmia issues whatsoever. I'm considering a surgical myectomy to correct my hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The kicker is that this surgery typically gives you left bundle branch block, and I am so lucky to already have right bundle branch block! So unless my heart's electrical system gets real creative, I'll have a permanent pacemaker after surgery. That freaks me out a little because pacemakers and other devices are typically part of the "negative" outcomes for corrective procedures for HCM, but in my case it would just be expected. My cardiologist still says myectomy is the best course and I do believe him, but since the decision is irreversible, it's weighing heavily on me.

I don't know anyone with a pacemaker and I'm talking to people to understand how it would affect my quality of life. So far the feedback is very positive. I'm very active physically, play tennis, snow ski, etc. Hoping to get back to running after surgery. Thanks for any feedback!

Hi Teresa,
I just wrote my introduction a moment ago -- in a nutshell i don\'t have arrhythmia but may need a pacemaker as a result of heart surgery that I\'m considering. But for my condition, caffeine is disastrous on my heart, so I can certainly vouch for the fact that caffeine can have a dramatic impact on how the heart works....for some people, at least.

I also work for a cosmetic company and I can\'t tell you everything you need to know about caffeine in skin products, but I can dispel some myths about cosmetic ingredients:

Myth #1: The manufacturers of skin care products have done research on all the ingredients and fully understand all their effects on humans. FALSE -- the only research they have done, is a) is the ingredient legal, b) are people getting sued over it, and c) will it make my product more marketable. Oh, and what will it cost, but see Myth #2:

Myth #2: If it\'s on the ingredient list, then the concentration is significant. FALSE -- we often put ingredients in the formula at what\'s called a \"claim amount\" -- so small that it probably has no impact on the product, but it shows up in the ingredient list -- i.e. just there for marketing purposes. Caffeine is definitely one of those ingredients that MAY exist only at a claim amount. Ingredients are listed in order of weight percent, down to 2% or 1% (depending on what markets they sell into). All the ingredients below that magic 2 or 1% can then be listed in any order. Most cosmetic and beauty products have several ingredients above 2%...I can\'t say for sure, but ours typically have 4-8 ingredients above the threshold and then a large number of ingredients (usually more than half) at below the threshold. So caffeine could appear about 1/3 down the list and still not have a significant amount. Shocking, I know!

Myth #3: Caffeine on the skin is the same as drinking it. FALSE - your skin can absorb caffeine into the bloodstream, although the amount is debatable; what few legitimate studies have been conducted suggest that it isn\'t very much. Interestingly, caffeine may have lots of benefits that don\'t have anything to do with its stimulant effects...studies show that it may kill some cancer-causing cells and that\'s why some sunscreens include it. One researcher found that the amount one would have to use topically, in order to have the same efficacy on the skin as drinking coffee, would an enormous amount. One could argue that for someone who can\'t drink coffee and get the skin benefits would actually be the best candidate to use in a lotion because that\'s the only safe way to deliver it to the skin. And that\'s an example of how complex the question of ingredients in skin products can be. (see myth #4)

Myth #4: If a lot of websites say an ingredient is good or bad, then it\'s probably true. FALSE - there is an entire industry based on people with no scientific data making science-y sounding claims -- they write articles that appear in major new sources, host blog sites, speak at consumer product forums, have Youtube videos, etc.. If you want to know if a product meets certain claims (moisturizing, color improving, non-greasy, etc.) those websites might of LIMITED usefulness -- look for negative reviews to balance the positive ones. But if you want to know something that only scientific research can tell you, STAY AWAY from those websites. They need to quote research studies to talk about scientific stuff. I am frequently HORRIFIED with flatly false statements these people routinely say about ingredients -- both good and bad -- using \"science\" to support their statements, but having no real science behind it. A funny example is one blogger who said sulfates are harmful but sulPHates (with a \"ph\" instead of an \"f\") are completely safe. The actual truth is that British typically spell it with the PH and Americans use an F -- they are the same thing!

My personal opinion is that if you don\'t drink caffeine, and therefore don\'t have any tollerance built up, that any skin care product that cause you to absorb enough caffeine to affect your heart would probably cause you to stay awake at night. If you found that on nights after using the product were consistently more sleepless than nights not using the product, that might be convincing that the product could be dangerous. But I doubt that vast majority of products that use caffeine would actually cause that.

Well, sorry that was so long -- I\'ve never written that out before! Hope it helps!

Hi!
So happy you have a great cardiologist (who happens to be family) and have found a way to treat your issues!!
I too, took Metropolol and it did help. What worked the best was losing 90 pounds!! I am now off the meds. After being off of caffeine for decades, I started drinking it again this year. I\'ve noticed more incidents of a racing heartbeat. Guess it is time to get off the caffeine!

Keep up the good work!
ronnie

Hi Judith!
I hope you continue to do well!!!
ronnie

Hi Sharon,

My resting heart rate is also around 120, which makes everyone nervous. I\'ve gotten used to it since I have had it checked.
Funny, when I wore the halter monitor, several years ago, my heart rate was \'good\' from around 6pm to 5am. At 5am, it went up significantly and remained that way until around 6pm. I am sure you can figure out why. I arose at 5am to get ready for work, and by around 6pm, I had time to relax after work. So, work was not doing me any good. I really should wear a monitor now since I have been retired almost 6 years (lol).

My resting hear rate used to be higher. My doctor put me on the Metoprolol. After losing 90 pounds, my rate came down to 120. For about a year after the weight loss, I only took the meds when my heart rate went above 120. I now am off the Metoprolol. Because I am no able to take any NSAIDs, I take Crestor to protect my heart. I am really very good about it because of the positive impact it has on my heart.
Be well!
ronnie

Did they do this to you at Mayo? I probably need to replace my lead too and am concerned about having a dead one in the heart too. I think that pretty much all pacemaker users cannot be MRI\'d.

Hi @babs2519, and welcome to Connect. How long have you had these palpitations? And how do you control or stop them when they occur? We're so glad you joined the Community, and look forward to getting to know you.

@markjones

I appreciate that detailed information about ingredients in skin care products. Thank you!

Teresa

Hi @skymya,

I can only imagine the stress of all that you\'ve been through! Thank you for joining Connect, and sharing your story. Here\'s some information about Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antiphospholipid-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355831

I\'d also like to invite @soitis4590 and @lena999 to join the conversation and share their experiences. You can view @soitis4590\'s posts here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/antiphospholipid-and-lyme-disease/

Although this is an older discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/antiphospholipid-antibody-syndrom/, I hope @taogirl2 @colettehellerud @lagata are keeping well, and will return to share their insights as well.

@skymya, may I ask why the ablation was postponed?

This side of heaven we are always going to have \"issues\". I am thankful that their are folks we can talk with about our particular \"issues\". I see my pacemaker as a miracle. Mine was inserted almost three years ago for bradycardia and without it I would probably not be here. My heart would stop beating for 6 seconds at a time-apparently that raised some eyebrows. I\'m not saying life with a pacemaker is all fun and joy but it was an option and I ran with it. I am on Metoprolol ER 25mg-which I break in half and take twice a day-12 hours apart. Last fall I was started on Eliquis as AFIB has popped up in my monitoring. When AFIB entered the scene I went through several tests and everything came back normal, fine, A okay. I was encouraged to up my exercise game and I have. I don\'t know when the Afib strikes I seem to be asymptomatic. As I told the cardiac nurse there are days I feel sluggish so I nap but those days are few and far apart. In April I will turn 64. I retired four years ago. I would suggest having a B12 level drawn if you are low on that vitamin you can be run down as well along with other symptoms. I have been B12 deficient for lots of years and just a few years ago learned by dad was also. He was bone dry and now has back the energy level an 86 year old should have if not better. Just a thought. Thanks for reading, thanks for sharing and I will keep each of you in my prayers. Thank you MAYO clinic.