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Have Had Pacemaker And Copy Of The Reports Showed At Times Heart Rate Was Very Low. Underlying Cause?

Posted on Tue, 3 Sep 2013

Question: I am a 75 year old female RN.i have had a pacemaker for 17 years,and just had the battery changed.I just finished a month of Event Recorder for increased symptoms.In a-fib usually 60%.anyway,read in the copy of the report I received today that there were times when my heart rate was as low as 8,15,18 30s.I would assume my pacer is not working..will call my cardiologist tomorrow but would like your opinion.thank you

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (1 hour later)

Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Obviously, there is a problem related to the pacemaker / the lead may be broken, the pacing threshold is high, random component failure – and so on...

Rate is rather very slow...you may be counting the pulse / There may be pulse deficit when the volume is low; in A-fib, some baets may not cause a pulse ...

You need IMMEDIATE attention... talk to your doctor and/or go to Emergency

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (9 hours later)

the bpm of 8 was during a non A-fib event according to the report.that particular bpm was during the noc-- I am calling my cardiologist this morning as soon as the office opens.thanks..that bpm is a little too close to A_Systole for me

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (25 minutes later)

Hello

Such a slow rate is from Sick Sinus Syndrome...
Both the Sinus and A-V node are not generating appropriate impulse and the centre is further down in the ventricle. It is ominous, as you point out – asystole with cerebral insult are real threats.
Call your doctor NOW...

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar