Common signs that a person may need a pacemaker

Depending on the person’s age and overall health, the ideal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Doctors will tell you that the lower the resting heart rate, the better. But a too slow rate can cause various complications, explains cardiac electrophysiologist Ian Weisberg, M.D. A pacemaker may be needed to both monitor beat rate and stimulate the heart to pump faster.

One sign that it may be time to have a pacemaker is extreme fatigue. A heart that’s not pumping blood effectively can make you feel very tired often, even if you are not lacking in sleep or aren’t engaging in strenuous activities.

Frequent dizzy spells and lightheadedness, especially when you are being active, is another sign that your heart isn’t beating properly. These can also be caused by low blood sugar and low blood pressure, especially after quickly getting up from a lying or sitting position.

Thirdly, there’s shortness of breath. While difficulty breathing can be a symptom of serious medical conditions, from asthma to pneumonia, it can also be a sign of an irregular heartbeat or heart disease. Make sure to be conscious if you’re finding it hard to catch your breath after normal activities like cleaning the house or climbing stairs.

Lastly, chronic palpitations could be a sign that you need a pacemaker. Pounding in your chest and arrhythmias can take place whether you’re just sitting or lying in bed or being physically active, adds Ian Weisberg, M.D.

Ian Weisberg, MD is a cardiac electrophysiologist based in Pensacola, FL. He obtained his degree in medicine from the Emory University School of Medicine and completed his fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Chicago. For more tips on cardiovascular health, go to this page.