A-fib

I have a question, I received a pacemaker April 2009, love it! I have a history of A-fib, does the pacemaker stop that? Some times I feel the "flutter" Thanks, Mary Ann alohapumbaa@hotmail.com

5 Comments

no

by Tracey_E - 2010-06-05 06:06:11

Sometimes it can be programmed to minimize how much you feel the afib, but a pm cannot stop it. It can only add beats. When your heart goes too fast or fibrillates on its own, the pm can only sit back and watch.

yep

by ShadowWeaver - 2010-06-05 08:06:44

What TraceyE said.

Pacemakers & A-Fib

by SMITTY - 2010-06-05 11:06:01


Hello Mary Ann,

I'll add a little to what has already been said.

Here is my understanding of why a pacemaker is important for people having episodes of A-Fib. When an episode of A-fib is over the heart rate can go from very fast to very slow and in rare cases even stop. So at the end of the episode if the heart rate starts to drop below the low set point on the pacemaker the pacemaker will step in and prevent the very low heart rate and associated problems.

As Tracey said, the pacemakers most of us have, are not implanted for the purpose of stopping A-fib. However, I have read a couple of articles about a new pacemaker that is on the market now or soon will be that is designed to interrupt and stop episode of A-fib. It does this in the same way a defibrillator stops V-fib, except with a much lower shock. I have not heard from anyone that has one of the new units but maybe if we have a member with one they will give us the benefit of their experience with the new device.

Smitty

A-fib

by sugar - 2010-06-07 11:06:40

Hi MaryAnn,

I have A-fib and Tacacardia - I was told that my pm is there to make my natural pm pump because our beats per minute are slow - my understanding is that with these your pm does not slow them down - I flutter alot and have Tac. alot - I have been on this 3 week monitor and I get summoned in because they panic. I might start using meds to control the rapid beats but not just yet. You should call the person who will check your pm and have them explain your total purpose for your pm and what it actually does for you and how often. I have no heart disease at almost 61 but due to my mother and genetics I am a mess. I am exhausted because of the heart racing and take a break and have to nap once in a while - other than that I just keep on doing whatever I want - even with this mess going on. Better to leave the planet happy doing what I want rather than dwell. Others here have had radio ablation after the pm implant (I think) I am not a candidate. I had one 15 yrs. ago. My only option seems to eventually go on meds.
Always call - no question is too little.
Sugar/Patty

A-fib and pacemaker

by alohapumbaa - 2010-06-08 03:06:29

Aloha to everyone for your helpful comments. I am still learning the life with a pm. Thanks you, mahalo nui, for your help.
Genetics has been my enemy. Thank God only on my mom's side, my dad's heart issues lead to heart attacks and quituple bypass surgery. Mom just generously gave me her bad valves (had one fixed, not replaced) A-fib, and a very slow heart rate that led to the pace maker. Before the pm instillation, I loved to go to health fairs and get the poor techs to take my blood pressure and heart rate. I am evil I know, but it was fun watching them turn white and go into a panic thinking I was going to pass out or die on them.
I am 97% paced, not quite sure what that means exactly. I feel so much better, not so stinkin' tired all the time.
I go in for a pace check in about 10 days. I have lots of questions to ask.
Thank you again for all the help.
Mary Ann alohapumbaa@hotmail.com

You know you're wired when...

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Member Quotes

I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.