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Worried About My Grandma, Can A Pacemaker Make Her Heart Rate Go Up To 118 ?
Grandma is 96 with a pacemaker . Last Dr. appointment her heart rate was 118, her medical provider is concerned she is in AFib. Her Cardiologist on Monday said that wasn't possible. So, when her heart rate is usually 80, can a pacemaker make her heart rate go up to 118? Also, why would it do this ? She also had fluid on her heart, what causes this? Her Dr. said she is getting plenty of oxygen it just isn't being pushed through ( respiratory at 33 when is usually about 16), why would that be ? Does this mean her heart is dying ? Worried about Grandma. Can you clear up what all this means for me. I wasn't at the Doctor visit to ask all these questions.
posted on
Thu, 28 Jan 2010
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 28 Jan 2010
Answered on
Thu, 28 Jan 2010
Last reviewed on
Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
The fluid on her heart is a pericardial effusion. There are a lot of possible causes for it, I would google search it to see the possibilities. The oxygen may not be getting to her body due to high pressures in the heart. If the pressures in the left heart are too high, the oxygenated blood will have a hard time getting through so it can be pumped out to the body.
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