Would a pacemaker work for irregular (fast) heartbeat?

Just got back from the ER for the second time in 3 weeks with my mother having very fast. very irregular heart rhythm - ranging from 55 to 175 bpm and extremely erratic. I know they use pacers for slow irregular heart rate, but do they work for fast as well? Or is this something that can be controlled with medication? They gave her 2 syringes of Cardizem to finally restore normal rhythm - Is this drug the typical one to be prescribed for this condition?

Would a pacemaker work for irregular (fast) heartbeat?

Does your mother have a condition called Atrial fibrillation? Basically, it sounds like your mother%26#039;s underlying conditioin could be either atrifal fibrillation (A-Fib) or a problem with the main natural pacemaker of the heart (Sinus node), or called the sick sinus syndrome.

Regardless, the immediate remedy for a rapid heart rate (with some exceptions which I won%26#039;t go into) is cardizem given IV, as was done for her (generic name = diltiazem). It is in the class of drugs called Calcium Channel Blockers. Sometimes doctors will prescribe the pill form of this to prevent fast heart rates from occurring again. Another medicine used to slow heart rates is called metoprolol (trade names include Lopressor, Toprol XL). THis is a class of drugs called beta-blockers. Lopressor can also be given IV to slow done the heart rate fast, and a pill form can be given to keep the rate from quickening. Note that the pill form always takes longer but is longer acting. Somtimes doctors give the IV and oral together so that when the IV wears off, the oral form can take effect.

If your mother has A-Fib, other medicines can be used to control the heart rate. These include Digoxin and Amiodarone, but these are not used as often as Cardizem or Lopressor mainly because they have more side effects, and it%26#039;s difficult to predict their dosing especially in elderly persons.

If your mother has sick sinus syndrome, where the rate goes fast and slow, it may not be a good idea to continuously have her on an oral regimen of lopressor or cardizem, as it may cause her heart rate to go TOO slow, and worst case cause heart block. A pacemaker is indicated in this condition (as well as other conditions like heart block). But this is a big decision and a doctor has to determine exactly what is causing the fast heart rhythm before deciding on the exact treatment.

Would a pacemaker work for irregular (fast) heartbeat?

Cardizem is very common to be given for this condition. It is called atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat. Many times people take prescribed Cardizem at home as well due to this condition especially when the heart races up to 175 beats per minute which makes it a-fib RVR and as long as she is not symptomatic Cardizem is usually the first line drug. If she starts getting pain, dizziness, or sweats call 911 immediatelly. I don%26#039;t know about the pacemaker question, as far as I know it is only for slow rythyms. Hope this helps. Cardizem is a Calcium Channel Blocker if you want to look it up given at .25mg/kg over 10 min

Would a pacemaker work for irregular (fast) heartbeat?

Sorry about your mom, I work in a ER and give Cardizem alot for what sounds like Atrial Fib or Flutter. Hopefully you mom is on oral medicine too! Pacemakers are for as you said, slow rates, and sometimes for life threatening Ventricular beats that require defibrillation. They are AICD%26#039;s. I%26#039;ve not heard of them being used for atrial arrythmias. Hopefully your mom has a good doc to follow up with. Until they get the rhythm under control, sometimes they perscribe a blood thinner to avoid her heart from forming clots.