Hello to all...I'm very thankful to have found this site. I may be getting a pacemaker soon. I have a history of atrial fib. I had an ablation 4 years ago and it was successful. However, I developed a left bundle branch block and was found to have some pulmonary hypertension after a heart cath was performed. I also have a vessel that doesn't seem to get good circulation through it...not because of a blockage but because of my "unique" physiology, they tell me. No blockages...is a good sign, I'm thankful. They want to put in a pacemaker to make the ventricles pump at the same time. With the bundle branch block, they don't beat together. This will help my ejection fraction which is 44 at rest and 34 under stress. I am about 80 pounds overweight. I'm thinking that if I cut out salt, start exercising and diet, I can lose the weight and help the problem to the point of not needing a pacemaker. But I don't know what the chances of success are. I have not always been overweight and am very angry with myself for letting a broken marriage get to me to the point where I just did what I wanted (ate for comfort...which only works while you eat!) Sooo, I want to know all the things about a pacemaker. Even though I'm a nurse, I know little about them. I've worked Maternity for over 30 years! Please let me know the pros and cons about them and limitations they may cause. This has taken me by surprise. I only went in for a routine check up.
Thank you for reading...I so appreciate any advice/support I can get...all so new to me. Best wishes to all.
Roseann

 

 

They don't deal with pm's often in maternity! I know this because I can still remember all the curious looks I got when I had my babies LOL.

Are they talking about a 3 lead CRT pacemaker for you? Is your hr low also? A two lead pm will synchronize the atria and ventricles and speed up a slow hr. A three lead will also synchronize the left and right ventricles which can help with EF. Your EF is low but not horrible so a pm would likely help you but it may or may not be necessary.

Pro's, obviously an increased EF. If you have a low rate, the pm will get it up into the normal range which has all sorts of benefits. A low hr is hard on our organs and leaves us tired. Increasing EF will give you better circulation.

Con's, everything is relative. It does not affect my day to day life and I forget I have it. It slows me down at airports and I can't have an MRI. I can't arc weld or play tackle football (oh, break my heart, lol). I get a battery check every 3 months and have it replaced approx every 7 years. I had a nuisance last year when a lead went bad, had to get a new one. To me, these things are minute when I think back to how tired I was without it and how close I came to dying. I feel terrific and am healthy and active so I don't see the cons as bad things.

Another con, a 2 lead is the easiest surgery but will not do much for EF. A three lead is a more involved surgery with a longer recovery time. Not awful, but more than a standard 2 lead.

Our weight and physical condition affect our heart's strength and how clear our arteries are, plumbing problems. These are completely unrelated to electrical problems. Electrical problems just happen- sometimes from disease or side effects of medication, sometimes from ablations, sometimes just at random. I'm no dr but I'll give you my unprofessional opinion- while getting into shape and taking off the weight would be a good thing for your heart, I doubt if it will have any effect on your electrical problems. Fixing the walls and the pipes in the house won't do anything for faulty wiring. However, being in shape may make you more able to cope with a lower EF.

Have you had a second opinion? You might want to start there, determine if the pm would be necessary or just helpful.

And I highly recommend Weight Watchers, if you want a buddy let me know. I've been doing it since May. I am losing weight very slowly (grrr) but I love it because I eat real food and it's helping me learn how I gained the weight and how to keep it off. I'd rather be losing faster but I know my odds of keeping it off are higher doing it slowly.

Good luck!

 

Can't add to what Tracey said. But wanted to say welcome.
I got my PM in January and wondered at the time if I needed it. I really did! AND I do feel much better now.

Again, welcome.

Cherell

 

I have cardiac nurses ask me all the time about my device, nothing to be embarrassed about. You know your EF isn't all that bad and there is indeed the potential for recovery through diet and exercise. If your cardiologist doesn't think there's an urgent need for a PM, then I'd give it my best shot at resolving the problem without the implant.

Face it, even if you get the PM you'll need to diet and exercise. These things are life savers for lots of people but if you don't need one, your heart is a superior piece of equipment for pumping blood. And the manufacturer is far superior to his competitors, never been sued by his customers.