Hello, I'm new to the site and any help would be appreciated. I'm 54 yrs. old and in all around good shape.Had my Pacemaker installed 2 yrs. ago after being diagnosed with a slow bottom part of the heart, Top part beats normal ,but bottom wasn't keeping up pushing the blood out.This all came about after I had a viral infection of the heart-"pericarditis"[hope the spelling,is right] Anyway I,m off on sick leave -2 yrs. now.I have been on the dept. full-time for almost 31 yrs now. Had a full check-up with my cardiologist the other day,and he said I was doing excellent. My question: Has ANYBODY here went back to being on the "trucks and actively firefighting"?-ANYBODY Sorry about the long post,but I miss the guys and the job.I would like to return if safe to do so. My concerns are primarily about the electo-magnetic business interfering with the P.M. function.I'm told it[P.M.] will re-set very quickly,but i'll feel like crap till it[P.M.] does. In closing I never had ANY heart attacks,and after the "angiogram" the cardioligist said I had zero blockages and perfectly clean pipes[no plaque]. All began with the heart "virus". ANY help would be fantastic. I miss all you guys and [girls] on the job. Sincerly yours English Bull Terrier

 

 

welcome firefighter to this site. look up firefighters under search. there have been others who have returned to work. good luck friend jessie in ontario canada

 

Hi & Welcome to this awesome site.

I'm pretty sure I've read posts in the past that are similar to yours. Firefighters and even policemen and truck drivers - jobs that require heavy lifting, very physical jobs, etc.

Jessie is correct - upper right hand corner of the screen you will see the SEARCH and in there you will find posts from guys (or girls) in the same situation.

And yes you did spell pericarditis correctly :)

Good luck & take care,
Pookie

 

Hi,

I am back to full duty after having a pacemaker implanted for symptomatic bradycardia after a viral infection too. I was off the job for a year and 9 months and have been back since September of 2008. You can do it! Best of luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Carolyn

 

I was hoping that you had found put anything on this subject. I am 16 years old (a junior in high school) and wanting to become a firefighter, but I just recently got a pacer installed. My issue is very similar to yours, I have a total a/v block, where the bottom part of my heart was beating slow. My heart won't stop if the pacer goes out, so I was hoping I could still be eligible to firefight with it. If you have any information on the subject, please get back to me. Thank you.

Dalton