Hi there,
I am a 32yr old male with an extremely active lifestyle. I have had arrhythmia diagnosed as a teenager, but never had any problems until about 2 months ago when I went to the hospital with extreme dizziness (didnt faint though). My family doctor is saying it could simply be stress-related (i.e. burnout) since I tend to overdo it. Still as a precaution I went to a cardiologist and then to a specialist in arrhythmia. The specialist didnt even listen to what I had to say and told me flat out I needed a pacemaker. Quite a shock! I was not convinced that my symptoms are really related to a worsening arrhythmia and he almost seemed to get annoyed. Anyhow, I now wear a ECG device with me for the next 4 weeks and then I'll visit this doc again.
Does anyone have any suggestions what to ask him specifically to make sure I don't get a PM for the wrong reasons?? Any help is appreciated.

 

 

The ECG device should show what problems you have...if any. Your EP should explain to you in detail why you need a pacemaker. Possibly drugs could fix the problem.

I had to go to a second EP to get my problem fixed. (Atrial Fib)

If you're not comfortable with your EP, get a second opinion.

 

Get a new doc if the one you have now wont listen, I would think a PM for you at your age is the LAST RESORT!

With the advancement of drugs today, I'd try that route first and find a doc that seems to think thats the best course too.....after all, if it doesnt work, you can always get the PM later

I have one, and I would CERTAINLY RATHER I didnt have one.

 

hi.

the monitor you are wearing will show your specialist all the data he needs to confirm if you need a pacemaker or not.

also, if you can, get a 2nd opinion - it won't hurt.

I too had no real symptoms - lightheadedness that turned into dizziness, but I never fainted either.

the monitor will show if your heart is pausing as well.

age really doesn't matter - we have members here that are just teenagers and Mom's as members who have young children with pacemakers. age is just a number:)

I had my pacemaker when I was 42 but I didn't think that was too young, my heart has/had an electrical problem, it's nothing I did or didn't do, personally I think I got my problem from my mother's side of the family, her father had a pacemaker too, and both my parents have heart issues but haven't had to have a device yet.

take care,
Pookie

 

Most doctors never think of checking. There are two entirely different conditions that are referred to as dizziness.

One is being Light Headed where everything starts to go sparkly and can continue to losing consciousness.This is caused by a shortage of blood flow to the brain and can be caused by the heart missing a number of beats in a row, or just by standing up too quickly. This type can be treated by a pacemaker.

The second type is better called Vertigo and is the kind of dizziness that happens when the inner affects our balance. Years ago when I took my first flight physical they would spin us around in a desk chair to induce vertigo and measure how we handled it. The type has nothing to do with the heart and a pacemaker is no help. A transient attack of vertigo is usually the result of an inner ear infection.

By the way the only way a vertigo experience can cause passing out is if it scares the person sufficiently they can faint, but that's another matter.

As others have suggested get another opinion before allowing a pacer implant. Any cardiologist who jumps to that sort of conclusion isn't to be trusted no matter what his expertise.

frank

 

Thanks Everyone! I definitely will get a second opinion by a specialist who is really taking some time to find out about my condition.

Thanks again.

 

I agree, get a second opinion! Crappy attitude, you need explanations not snap decisions without filling you in on the why's. He may well be right, but he's not god and you have a right to understand.

I do disagree that getting a pm at your age should be a last resort, however. I got one at 27. It improved my quality of life hugely. Hopefully the holter will show why you got dizzy which will tell you if a pm can help you. If a pm will fix the problems, I'm a strong believer that sooner is better than later. Why suffer when you don't have to?? Twenty years from now, it won't matter if you got it this year or next year or even five years from now. I stalled a good 3 years after I should have had mine because I had a dr that felt it should only be a last resort at my age. Dumb, I felt bad when I could have been living life the fullest. 27 was too young to act like an old lady, for me it was just the right time to get a pm. I'm on my 4th pm now and have never felt better. But then I have a condition that is helped by a pm, lol. You need to understand what is going on with your body better before you know if it's right for you. Please let us know how it goes! If you have questions about what they find or what the docs tell you, please ask away.