What to Expect

Had my pacemaker for 3 months now (dual lead) for 2nd degree heart block. I'm luckily back to golf and started playing hockey again. I feel great but I am now thinking about what is next. Is it typical for this condition to get worse and progress into 3rd degree heart block where I will become totally dependent on the PM.

7 Comments

doesn't matter

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-10 08:11:05

At this point you have the fix, so you'll never know the difference if you're in 2nd or 3rd degree block. It's not typical to progress but we don't have a crystal ball and it's not unheard of so who knows what will happen down the road. Regardless, there's no reason to think you won't continue to feel as good as you do now. If your ventricles miss a beat, the pm will step in whether it's occasionally or every beat.

I was born with 3rd degree block and have been 100% paced for 15 years now, most people who know me have no clue I have a heart condition or pm.

Life still change

by Jmiller - 2009-11-10 09:11:28

Thanks for the response. If my condition changes and I become totally dependent on the PM will I have to change my lifestyle? Like would they tell me hockey is too risky?

You are right I shouldn't worry about it but for some reason I would like to know what I maybe in for.

nope

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-10 09:11:41

If hockey is ok now, hockey will still be ok if you use it more. The rules for what's save and what's not have nothing to do with how much we use it. All you'll be in for most likely is battery changes every 7-10 years. The rest of the time, live your life!

Thanks

by Jmiller - 2009-11-10 11:11:18

TraceyE

Thanks

Change???

by donb - 2009-11-11 08:11:22

Hi, Will things change with electrical heart problems down the road?? Very normal question that haunts us all. I got some answers this past year, had to have my 3rd PM removed because of erosion afgter 17 years. Guess my EKG showed I could get along without temporary so I soon learned that nothing changed, that is for 2 months. I even went to Ann Arbor, MI top Cardiologist checked me out and questioned why I even needed a PM. That was a second opinion. Well, after enjoying rock solid rythym, 60 bottom and 130 top for 2 months without a PM, I soon returned back to prior PM days before having one. What still puzzles me is that without my PM I was locked into 60 at rest in sync with any Quartz wall clock for at least 30 days. I could not believe my PM was gone during that period of time. Might also mention that Drs' told me that rarely some patients have had electrical problems heal. Mine was 1st to 2nd degree electrical block with Wenckebach and Vaso Vegal. DonB

Sorry!!

by donb - 2009-11-11 08:11:29

I ended without mentioning I'm on my 4th PM right chest installation and back to normal PM life! DonB

Great to hear....

by GMan - 2009-11-11 08:11:38

Your back to GOLF!!!!

I was 3rd degree and now at 15/weeks+PM Don't think much about it. Keep active!

Gary

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

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