What Causes Swelling In The Arms?

Posted on Mon, 25 Sep 2017

Question: i had a pacemaker installed in february . never any issue however i was paddle boarding and had to paddle hard against the wind to get home.... my hand and my arm to my shouder swelled . i was x rayed . cat scaned and sonagram no issue they gave me steroids and sent me home... 1 week later swelling has gone down but still there.. today i was clamming with a heavy rake andaa when i finished my arm was swollen again and the area next to my pacemaker and part way under my arm was black and blue... no pain just worried i pulled a wire out or whatever... i take eliquis 2 x aday 5 mg . my pacemaker is set on 70 . i buise if i even toouch something!!! that is . XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please refer to the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am

After going through the medical details provided by you I understand your concern and I would like to tell you that ideally one should avoid sternous physical activity after the pacemaker is being deployed in the body as there are chances of lead displacement, wound rupture or bleeding inside the pacemaker pocket leading to swelling pain and bluish discolouration.

In your particular case as both the times your problem happened after some type of physical activity and as you are on a anticoagulant also its advisable to get a blood test done for

1. aPTT
2. INR

probably the done of Eliquis needs to be adjusted.

Also I would like to suggest you to personally consult your cardiologist for proper physical examination and evaluation of the pacemaker site.

I hope this information will be helpful and will guide you properly.

Kind regards
Dr Bhanu partap

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T