I am really confused on why I had to get a pacemaker.
In 3/10 I was checked out at the Arizona Heart hospital and was told all was good.
Every 2 years a full work up, stress test the whole thing.
I do have right bundle branch blockage but was always told no big deal for me.
On 4/18/10 was eating lunch. Heart took off like a rocket and when I get to the er it was at 198 BPM.
One time deal, never happened before.
They came up with Atrial Fibrillation.
The meds they gave to slow heart rate took it way down and they said my heart stopped at times in my sleep.
The only med I take is asprin.
My highest BP this month was 148/83 with a pulse of 84.
Looking at my charts my average is 125/75 with a heart rate of 74 to 88.
The blood pressure meds they try to give me to control my so called high heart rate drops my bp into the 90s. I refuse to take it and keep a running chart of my bp and pulse.
Feel the same as before and thinking I got sold a bill of goods?
I read all the posts here and see I do not suffer like many of you do or did and can understand your need for one. But not for me.

 

 

Call the doctor who did this and have a conference with him in person. Ask him why you had to get a pacemaker and if you hadn't gotten one, what would have happened. Make him explain so you are fully aware of the reason. Until you do that? You will always be questioning the decision. Good luck - Sue

 

I think the reason may be connected to this line in your posting.........."and they said my heart stopped at times in my sleep."
This is a common reason for having a Pacemaker fitted.

But, asking the doctor is definitely the best way to go.

Best Wishes,
Johng

 

Hello Nvphone,

As Johng said one of the main reasons for us getting pacemakers is to keep our heart stopping from being a permanent stoppage one day. Another reason is A-Fib. When we have an episode of A-Fib and it stops the heart rate can go extremely low, and in rare cases stop entirely. Our pacemakers can keep the heart rate from going to low or stopping.

I'm sure you have an on-demad pacemaker like most of us. That means the pacemaker sits there monitoring your heart function and steps in to help whenever our heart's natural pacemaker fails to keep your heart beating fast enough or maybe even trying to stop.

From what you say about your irregular heart rhythm it sounds like you are a prime candidate for a pacemaker. I have always thought that the best thing any of us with a pacemaker can have happen is that the PM sits there monitoring our function and we never know when it steps in to help out.

As for not taking those meds, I'm one of the world's worst about not taking meds prescribed for me, but I always let my doctor know. I figure that if my not taking those things causes me to I turn my toes up one day, my departure from this life will not be a big mystery to the doctor and he can tell my family why old Smitty joined the bird gang.

Smitty

 

I cannot take BP meds to control heart rate as my body just does not like it and from my charts my BP and rate are fine.
I have asked and also asked how can a heart go bad after just a month as the Arizona Heart Hospital is A Plus!
Docs will not say anything bad about another and if I needed a pacemaker, then I feel the hospital screwed up.
I am not looking for money as my daughter is a lawyer, just flat do not understand.
The whys out weight any need to sue anyone for me.
Yes, on the 19th I will demand to know why as asking is not giving me any clear reasons.
Thank-you.

 

Maybe what you need to do is go tell the doctor you want the pacemaker removed. He will either agree to do it, or maybe give you some details why you should keep it. Removal is as simple, maybe more simple, than getting it implanted.

I will add one more thing, many of us that get a pacemaker unexpectedly go through a period of being absolutely sure we did not need one. Some are right and some find out later, to their dismay, they did need the thing after all.

 

I think the lesson here is to make sure that you have a very good reason for having any prcedure done regarding your health prior to having it done. I think doctors tend to take more time when they are trying to tell you that you need to have this or that done. Did you get a pre-surgical consultation from your doctor. How are you feeling now? Any improvement? I was told that the electrical system of your heart could shut down at any time, and then start back up. That could explain why one test came out fine and then a month later, not so good. It was explained to me that it is like a faulty wire, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. My heart was doing that for about a year, on and off, until it kept getting worse and then I was almost passing out several times a day. Try not to focus on your numbers and just think about how you actually feel. Hope you figure out what is best for you!

 

Light headed most of the time. I do get times when I just go, go and go.
Tired more.
May be the heat here in Arizona, I do not know.
Far left chest pains which I have had since I was a kid.
Just do not see the improvement I was looking for.
I do wish to thank-you all for your great input!
Most of the time I am very up beat.

 

You said your heart has stopped?
Enough said.
Liz

 

If your heart is stopping in your sleep you have sleep apnea. I have the same thing. Mine stopped 75% of the time. I have other reasons to have the PM, and glad to have it. I would be glad you have it to keep it from stopping, but most of all you need to seriously have that talk with them to find out why they put it in and keep asking till you get the right answer. If they do not respond with the right answers to your comfort I would seek an attorney to help out or an advocate in the healthcare arena. They have advocates in some healtcare programs to help with these types of situations. I would get answers!!

God Bless, I will pray for answers for you.

Rev Chuck

 

prior to icd implant,i was infected by a virus, no high blood pressure just breathing prob.tests showed my injection rate was 29% in lower chamber,do any one else had a low injection rate ?(it caused my irregular heart beat MY QUESTION, COULDN"T IT BE TREATED WITH MEDS?