Spinal Stimulator effect on the heart

Posted by revclint @revclint, Aug 20, 2019

Has anyone done any research on the effects of the electrical spinal stim on people with heart electrical issues? I had two ablations done and a 3rd one that they couldn't do as it was too near the valve. I've noticed that since they finally got the stim working, I've been having more palpitations and chest pains. If I turn the stim off during the palpitations, they go away quite quickly, If I don't turn it off, they can last longer. Just wondering if anyone has heard of any research on it. I haven't found anything online, but I don't know how to get to medical websites.
Thanks
Clint

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

Hello @revclint, here are a few studies from the NIH - they may offer some information although they may not be precisely your situation:

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21267037
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23750425

I'd also like to invite @user_chf56161a, @seanivor, @laylabug, @barbbie, and @scruffy1 to share their experience with a spinal cord stimulator. @revclint, is this side-effect something you have discussed with your provider? It is interesting how you are able to "control" the palpitations based on whether you turn the stimulator off or on and it is something you may want to discuss with your provider. Are you using a stimulator for pain issues and does it work for that other than your concerns on your heart palpitations?

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @revclint, here are a few studies from the NIH - they may offer some information although they may not be precisely your situation:

- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21267037
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23750425

I'd also like to invite @user_chf56161a, @seanivor, @laylabug, @barbbie, and @scruffy1 to share their experience with a spinal cord stimulator. @revclint, is this side-effect something you have discussed with your provider? It is interesting how you are able to "control" the palpitations based on whether you turn the stimulator off or on and it is something you may want to discuss with your provider. Are you using a stimulator for pain issues and does it work for that other than your concerns on your heart palpitations?

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Thank you Justin. Those articles were very informative.

My pain specialist want me to contact Boston Scientific's Support group to let them know what I've obsearved. I'll do that on Monday.

I feel better, with less arrhythmia when the stim is off. Or if it's a bad bout, if I turn the stim off.

Thanks for your help. I feel a bit more prepared to talk to Boston Scientific now.

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@revclint

Thank you Justin. Those articles were very informative.

My pain specialist want me to contact Boston Scientific's Support group to let them know what I've obsearved. I'll do that on Monday.

I feel better, with less arrhythmia when the stim is off. Or if it's a bad bout, if I turn the stim off.

Thanks for your help. I feel a bit more prepared to talk to Boston Scientific now.

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I have not had that problem. I do have SVT and an occasional Afib but I had those before the stim. I have found that with pain management too much cortisone sets my heart into more of both.

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Hello, I had an scs stimulator implanted on 10/12/20. I am still doing adjustments, no pain relief yet. Have you found out any more about cardio and scs? I have already had several occasions of "hard" heartbeats - usually when I am turning up the device, or changing programs. More than a bit alarming. I also have a genetic anomaly called Ehler's-Danlos syndrome. (Involves collagen) but also causes mitral valve prolapse, which I have. I'm just beginning this scs, so at present I don't know of any implant affecting a heart. Anybody?

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My answer is in response to revclint. I also have "hard" heartbeats when adjusting my Nevro spinal cord stimulator. I'm awaiting info. Please read my more detailed blurb.

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Interesting. I haven’t noticed anything like that. My SCS is a Medtronics.

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As I have more pain, I increased the Stim to help the pain and it caused me to have a weird feeling in my chest.

I had a heart monitor placed, and I don't think it will find anything since I turned it down.

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Turn up stim to see if there's a reaction showing up on holter monitor.

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