Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Welcome to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Did you know that the average heart beats 100,000 times a day? Millions of people live with heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) which occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats don't work properly. Let's connect with each other; we can share stories and learn about coping with the challenges, and living well with abnormal heart rhythms. I invite you to follow the group. Simply click the +FOLLOW icon on the group landing page.

I'm Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira), and I'm the moderator of this group. When you post to this group, chances are you'll also be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

@deb1020

Hello! I am Debbie, 69, with CHF. New bi ventricular pace maker/defibrillator implanted Oct 2020. Area is still sore to touch, cannot wear strap over it, feels bumpy not smooth (keloids?)still experiencing dizziness and shortness of breath occasionally. Have Medtronic device. Feeling a sting/burn...from 3 secs to 15-20 secs! Usual???
Small frame so arm movement across implant is painful. Last few days am having PVCs. But not like before implant..very few. Any words of advice from experienced warriors? I have always been a happy person but this is terrible.

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@deb2020, Hi Deb, welcome to the wonderful world of pacemakers. I had one for about 10 years prior to my transplant and I'm familiar with some of the things you mentioned. Mine was a Boston scientific so the exact feel might be a bit different in dimensions but mine was about 2 " wide by about 2.5 " long with the wires attached on top. Most of it was smooth except on top where the wires attached which felt a bit bumpy. There was a plastic like hood where the wires were and that's what felt bumpy.
Being it's only 2 months there may still be a bit of healing yet but as to the tinginling feeling I was asked that and I know it was common but I didn't Kno ice it. All great questions for your Doctor.
Now PVCs I was told they weren't an issue and unless they were many in a row at least for me that would probably not need treatment but if they are bothering you than I would bring them up. As to other issues as to treatments over the years I had many adjustments depending on what my heart was doing. During a checkup they would put a wand over the device and download to see if there were any issues and at the same time they made adjustments. Not painful and except for some tests they did to make sure it was working ok not unpleasant. For me it was always interesting that they would thru the pacemaker speed me up and down to check the wires and that was a bit of a weird feeling. The short of breath for me usually ment my heart was having an arrythmia and the pacemaker is adjusting for it. Definitely mention that and if it's real bad I would see a doctor asap. Mine were sometimes bad enough to call the on call doctor or 911. If you have one of the bedside remote devices the Doctor can get a download right away and see if he or she needs to see you. Hope that helps and any other questions please ask away.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

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Watchman device procedure failed. Surgeon tried 3 devices but none of them would seal the opening. So now we wait for the next generation of watchman devices. Surgeon said he talked with the makers and they claim there will be some new and improved devices out some time in Feb or March. I was put on the list to get a shot at the flexable device. Will post more when I get more information.

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Hi, my name is Frank and I live in NE Ohio. I have had health problems from a very young age. I am now 39. I have POTS in addition to all the other symptoms that go along with POTS like dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, headaches, ibs, visual disturbances (stars), dry eye, etc. I also have many nerve entrapments all throughout my body, which nobody else seems to get in the POTS community. I have been working my way through many surgeries (30+) for mostly bilateral nerve entrapments. I think the worst one is pronator syndrome. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to pay the Dellon Institute physicians to do the surgeries, but I was diagnosed with 30 or so entrapments by them. I have been going mostly to plastic surgeons nearby with mixed results. I just wish things were getting better, but it seems to never end. I believe I have some overarching condition causing problems, but it probably isn't going to be diagnosed in my lifetime.

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Hello: I'm Glen from Virginia. 85. Been through a lot: a heart attack, a stroke and have copd. My concern is about atrial flutter , not afib. Comes and goes. Sometimes with every beat and sometimes every minute or so. I wonder if others have this problem and how they adjust to it. My cardio doc doesn't think its serious enough yet to go on some med. The only time it really bothers me is when I try to sleep on my left side and I feel that sensation/vibration occasionally. thoughts?

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@silverkat

Hello: I'm Glen from Virginia. 85. Been through a lot: a heart attack, a stroke and have copd. My concern is about atrial flutter , not afib. Comes and goes. Sometimes with every beat and sometimes every minute or so. I wonder if others have this problem and how they adjust to it. My cardio doc doesn't think its serious enough yet to go on some med. The only time it really bothers me is when I try to sleep on my left side and I feel that sensation/vibration occasionally. thoughts?

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@silverkat Hi welcome to Connect your feeling of flutter reminded me of something similar. I was never sure what to call it but mine was like a pounding feeling when I laid on my left side. But seemed fine on my back and right side. I mentioned a few times to the cardiologist back then (since I'm breaking in a new Heart now) . But just was told it was maybe the way I was laying. Not sure if that is similar to your concerns. Mine I think may have been due to my heart being enlarged. Thus more noticeable since it was pushing on areas that could feel the beating. If it gets really troublesome maybe the doctors can do.a.halter test to try and capture the event. Mine never really lasted long periods except when in that position.

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@danab

@silverkat Hi welcome to Connect your feeling of flutter reminded me of something similar. I was never sure what to call it but mine was like a pounding feeling when I laid on my left side. But seemed fine on my back and right side. I mentioned a few times to the cardiologist back then (since I'm breaking in a new Heart now) . But just was told it was maybe the way I was laying. Not sure if that is similar to your concerns. Mine I think may have been due to my heart being enlarged. Thus more noticeable since it was pushing on areas that could feel the beating. If it gets really troublesome maybe the doctors can do.a.halter test to try and capture the event. Mine never really lasted long periods except when in that position.

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Thank you for the insight. Good luck with the new heart.

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Just joined this group—wish I would have known earlier that y’all were here! In November ‘20 I was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse and ventricular tachycardia. At Mayo I had a procedure to implant an ICD device. I’m on amiodarone 200mg/daily and 25 metoprolol 25 mg split in half, taking morning and evening. A little concerned about what the future holds for me, but try not to overthink it, and take one day at a time if necessary!

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@marywh

Just joined this group—wish I would have known earlier that y’all were here! In November ‘20 I was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse and ventricular tachycardia. At Mayo I had a procedure to implant an ICD device. I’m on amiodarone 200mg/daily and 25 metoprolol 25 mg split in half, taking morning and evening. A little concerned about what the future holds for me, but try not to overthink it, and take one day at a time if necessary!

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@marywh Hi and Welcome I'm.so glad you joined us. We are all patients and caregivers who share experiences with the goal to help each other thru different Experiences. Or just to have someone that understands that strange feeling or just want advice about a certain test or procedure.
I had similar issues as you and thru a pacemaker plus meds had a normal life for almost 10 years when my old ticker just got to a point the meds were not enough to keep up with me. So I am now the proud owner of someone else Heart. So if anything comes up you like to get some inside on I may be able to help.
I hope you have a Blessed Day
Dana

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@silverkat

Thank you for the insight. Good luck with the new heart.

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Thanks

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@danab

@marywh Hi and Welcome I'm.so glad you joined us. We are all patients and caregivers who share experiences with the goal to help each other thru different Experiences. Or just to have someone that understands that strange feeling or just want advice about a certain test or procedure.
I had similar issues as you and thru a pacemaker plus meds had a normal life for almost 10 years when my old ticker just got to a point the meds were not enough to keep up with me. So I am now the proud owner of someone else Heart. So if anything comes up you like to get some inside on I may be able to help.
I hope you have a Blessed Day
Dana

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10 Years! That gives me hope in what's to come! So grateful for donors! I will always have that box checked on my drivers license!

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