Re: Rhythmic heart pain

From: Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD (andrew_at_heartmdphd.com)
Date: 02/11/05 

Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 07:47:49 -0500

roby1 wrote:
>
> I am a 70 y.o. male wearing a pacemaker that was implanted 2.5 years
> ago to treat bradycardia and AV block.
>
> From time to time I happen to feel a rhythmic pain coming from my
> heart region. Here are the symptom characteristics:
> a) the pain frequency is in sync with the heartbeats felt at my wrist;
> b) the pain impulses seem to occur midway between the consecutive
> heartbeats felt at my wrist;
> c) each episode lasts no more than half a minute and generally occurs
> when I lie down (sometimes when I sit down, too);
> d) the peak pain intensity ranges from low to medium-low.
>
> When I reported that to my cardiologist two months ago upon my last
> periodical PM control visit, he simply did not comment and did not
> give importance to it.
> However I keep wondering what could be the cause of it and whether I
> should worry or not.

It might be pacemaker stimulation of something outside the heart (chest
wall muscle or diaphragm). This can happen with unipolar pacemaker
configurations, an insulation break in one of the pacemaker leads, or
lead placement (with excessive voltage output). Would suggest you seek
out an electrophysiologist for a second opinion.

> I'd appreciate your comment.

You have it.

> Thanks and regards
> --
> Roby1

You are welcome.

All praises belong to my heavenly Father, Whom I love with all my heart,
soul, mind and strength :-)
 
At His service,

Andrew 

--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
**
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