Heart attacks

I was talking to my PCP today and was told that sometimes people with PMs are at a higher risk for heart attack due to blood clotting on the leads and traveling to the heart. I kinda thought that was just for the first few days after having it implanted. I have had several DVT's and a lung embolism and since I am already on coumadin I thought I was protected some what from clots. I am now 10 weeks post op. Also I have some terrible itching over the implant sight and it gets sore towards the end of the day kind of like a chafing feeling like a shoe that's to big and it rubs on your foot all day. (I do not ever itch the area) any suggestions or thoughts that might be of some help would be great. Happy Holidays to all..

9 Comments

WHO knows ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2009-12-16 01:12:45

I was placed on Warfarin w/aspirin regimen in March, 2008. Started heavy hemorraging within just a few weeks. My GP took me off those two meds immediately and began iron pills/B12 shot.

In March, 2009, the vascular surgeon put be back on Warfarin ("for life") w/o aspirin after a blood clot in my lower right leg & a week in the Heart Hospital. I was told by the vascular surgeon that he was 99% sure I would not have anymore blood clots while on Warfarin. I also take BP, cholesterol meds & my over the counter "calcium + vitamin D" and "Gluco Chron" by my choice.

There are a lot of questions about this subject on this "post". Seems like we might all should ask questions, then come back & "post" our findings. I go back to PM person on January 14 for my first real check since my PM/ablation on 10/2/09.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Carolyn G. in TEXAS ( :

Heart attacks

by LoobyLou - 2009-12-16 04:12:17

Hi deerhunteer,
I am sorry that I can’t give you any information about blood clots or heart attacks but would be interested to hear what others have to say about this. I was given a months supply of “baby aspirin” on leaving the hospital after implant but when I spoke to my GP about continuing taking them after the month was up he said there was no reason why I should be taking them. I am not taking any medication at all and do worry about the possibility of a stroke or a heart attack. I am now 14 weeks since PM implant and like you the implant site still itches and feels sore especially latter in the day or if I have been moving around a lot. I like your description of the chaffing feeling caused by a shoe that is too big it describes the feeling really well!
Best wishes Julie

Blood Clots Or Not???

by Pookie - 2009-12-16 08:12:09

Hi.

Isn't it frustrating let alone confusing!! I too have read (but I forget exactly where too) that people with pacers are prone to blood clots. But I also remember reading that the leads are coated as mentioned above.

I find it very interesting how we are all discharged from the hospital after receiving our pacers (or defibs) with such an array of different instructions or guidelines.

During my 1st year of having my pacer (and going thru a lot of problems with it I might add); I remember one cardiologist said: "It wouldn't hurt to take a baby aspirin once per day." He said it was totally my choice. At that time I was on SO many pills that I didn't want to add another.

However, and this might sound crazy, but when I feel a pain in my chest or a heaviness or any weird unexplainable sensation, I always take a low dose coated aspirin just for peace of mind.

I just wish that all of our doctors were on the same page and that we are all told the same information. Yes, I know we all have pacers (or defibs) for different reasons and some of us may have other ailments, but it would be nice to know if we should be taking an aspirin on a daily basis or not.

Perhaps that should be the next poll on the website??? Who was told to take one versus who was not.

The next time I see my family doctor, EP, or Cardiologist (whoever I see first) I am going to ask them their thoughts on this. Matter of fact, I'm going to ask all 3 of them as now I am curious to hear their answers.


Pookie

what i was told

by Tracey_E - 2009-12-16 09:12:26

My understanding is 1, the leads are coated to be slick and 2, they're put in veins which to go the heart, not arteries which go away from the heart. Clots are usually thrown from arteries not veins. I think, lol, I'm not a doctor.

Here's an explanation of how heart attacks happen. It's from plaque breaking away in arteries and cutting off blood supply to part of the heart muscle. Leads are in veins, not arteries
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/HeartAttack/HeartAttack_WhatIs.html

So, if this is correct, then we should not be at a higher risk of clots or heart attacks.

Thanks to all

by deerehunter - 2009-12-16 10:12:27

It is people like all of you that makes me feel good to be a member of such a club, one that I never thought I would have to be a member of. But by helping each other out I think in my heart that it is for the greater good of all. I hope you all have a great day. Thanks again DH.

Thinners

by ElectricFrank - 2009-12-17 01:12:22

No one ever seems to consider the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke when using thinners. Even with carefully controlled levels the ability to clot is reduced. A bang on the head that normally wouldn't bleed profusely might when on thinners. It's just a matter of trading one risk for another.

My cardiologist never mentioned using thinners immediately after the implant or since. As for statins the Pfizer rep keeps after my doc to get me to take it.

frank

Blood thinners

by deerehunter - 2009-12-18 10:12:58

Frank I think that you are spot on about the threat of hemorrhaging even after sustaining an injury that otherwise would be a very minor incident. The use of lovenox, heparin and coumadin have been for a very specific reason other than my PM. and as you said it is trading one risk for another it is hard to decide the greater evil. My use of these potent blood thinners came after a series of DVTs and pulmonary embolisms spread over many years. It simply scares my PC to death how ever my cardiologist has said the risk I will have another clot is much greater as I have had 8 spinal fusions over the past 9 years and acquired MRSA and osteomyelitis and the surgical wounds have been ulcerated for several years now and I have to have them derided every week. I would like to be off them at some point, have to be very conscious when doing things use to take for granite ie: walking down a few steps a fall could be disastrous, playing with my small nephew as he is very rough he likes to pretend he is a big horn ram and ram into everyone. Well thanks for all of your of your comments and concerns. Hunter

Thinners

by ElectricFrank - 2009-12-18 11:12:58

Hunter,
A situation like yours sure upsets the risk-benefit ratio of thinners. You must feel like a walking ICU!

Take care of yourself,

frank

red wine?

by Hot Heart - 2009-12-20 04:12:46

I'm not on any medication so have a glass of red wine a few times a week to keepmy blood thin

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