Vasovagal Syncope

Hello everyone.

I was wondering if anyone else on the site has had a PM implanted due to vasovagal syncope?

I had my first PM put in a week ago today, and I'm recovery fairly well compared to other heart procedures I've had done.

I had a PFO closure with cardio seal implant 4 years ago. After the device was implanted my heart "paused" for 14 seconds in the hospital. Which lead my cardiologist to believe that I have vasovagal responses.

With that said, after my release I had several more fainting episodes which lead to me having 2 different loop recorders implanted in my chest over the past 4 years.

Last Friday I had another episode where my heart "paused" again for 72 seconds. This time caught and recorded on my implanted loop recorder. I fell and hit my head pretty hard. I guess I'm lucky I didn't do anything worse.

I'm hoping that the PM will stop the spells from happening, but I'm left feeling like I still don't have a diagnoses after all of these years. Is there anyone out there who has experienced anything similar? I'm terrified that I'm going to keep having these, and that one of these times I'm not going to wake up. I'd appreciate any advice or light anyone might be able to shed on the condition.

Thanks for listening,
Anna

9 Comments

Similar symptoms

by Max4pups - 2010-06-01 11:06:26

I have similar symptoms, but they called it nuerocardiogenic syncope )same thing many names) There are several types according to my doctors at Loyola in Chicago; Vasal Depressor which I was told has to do with your blood pressure and Cardio Inhibitory which is where the message to get your heart to speed up again doesn't always get through or can infact cause your heart to slow down. During the tilt table test my heart stopped for 30 seconds. My type is Cardio Inhibitory with a level 2B. Medicine will not help it which is why I will be having a dual lead pacemaker implant this thursday. I'm not sure that helps but your not alone.

Vasovagal

by donb - 2010-06-02 10:06:27

One of the reasons I got my PM 18 years ago was having vegal attacks from Flu episodes. After a number of hospital runs it was determined I also had 2nd degree electrical block. Also the Drs' determined I had a very touchy vegal nerve and that after having a PM that would take care of the sudden blood pressure drop causing my faint.
Well, as I needed a PM which really turned my life around, I also learned after a number of years that it did help with vegal attacks. Problem was, along comes stomach flu and the PM can't recognize what's going on and I fell off the pot, completely smashed my nose, another hospital run.
I have learned over the years to watch my diet, stick close to home during flu season. Oh, also want to get this across, a PM does help in keeping vegal response under control but it does not stop it from happening as I was lead to believe with my 1st PM. Also, if having any digestive disorder, try to stay off your feet as getting up suddenly will drop your BP enough and you will go down.
Oh, there's a bonus!!! Sure keeps your weight under control, no problem as you watch what you eat, when you eat, and how MUCH you eat. donb

sorry forgot you just got it

by Brantfordmuscle - 2010-06-03 08:06:03

Duh.. I've been reading too many of these..but anyway the issues with my problem were the same as yours.. You did the right thing.

you could be me

by Brantfordmuscle - 2010-06-03 08:06:33

Hi there,
I had very similar issues. I was getting dizzy cycling, when giving blood, at the gym with a trainer (45 min into workout everytime). I had a tilt test done and when I passed out my heart stopped 15 seconds. The doctor told me it likely stops at night as well. So, I was told I needed the pacer. I got it last July. Simple procedure, so much so I was considering going for lunch directly afterwards. I compare it to having root canal.. Anyway they gave me one with a feature called rate drop programed into it. I have a Medtronics model. It kicks in if my heart rate slows too fast or stops. When it first starting pacing me in the middle of the night (it goes 3-4 times each night) it races your heart rate to 170 beats per minute for a minute then stablizes you back to your regular hr. If I hadn't had the pacer put in.. I would never have known that my heart is doing this every night. Don't worry about getting it. I'm a runner and I ran 10k about 7 days after getting it. (just watch the stiches) It's a little uncomfortable with seatbelts for the first couple months.
Other than that I don't think about it much anymore. Good luck with your procedure.

Thank you

by ABelle - 2010-06-03 10:06:28

Thank you so much for your responses! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I had a tilt table test several years ago when all of this started, and nothing happened... hmmm. Guess I'm just an anomaly. Thanks again. Anna

To add a comment

by Nevada Silver - 2010-06-10 08:06:14

My issues began with a vasovagal episode. I actually was just starting work...I was in the right place...ICU_CCU when everything started going black...I ended up with my head down on my desk and the nurses ended up putting me on one of the empty beds and then off to the ER...I began with pvc's, the next thing down the road was Atrial Tachycardia, that eventually with the passing of time led to Atrial Fibrillation and had a sinus node ablation in 2001 and a pacer implanted. Then..(major issue) was put on the medication Amiodorone...for the next 5 yrs...that led to a cardiac/resp. arrest and my pacer was replaced with a defibrillator. That was in 2006 and now I having the battery replaced on Tues. June 15th as it's come to the end just about...In my case...in the beginning...I was told it was an electrical problem in my heart. I'm sure you will do just fine with your new pacer. I have never heard of the heart stopping for so long? Hopefully, someone here can help you...

To Nevada

by ABelle - 2010-06-11 11:06:58

Good luck with everything. I'll be sending lots of positive energy your way next week. I know everything will turn out fine. One of the staff cardiologists last week said the same thing to me in the hospital about the length of my "pause". Actually I believe what he said was "This normally only happens in the movies". Gosh thanks, doc. I appreciate that. Regardless of the length. I am still here, and feeling better by the day. Wishing you a speedy recovery as well. Best, Anna

Similar Symptoms

by mama_w - 2010-06-16 01:06:56

I, too, was suffering from "fainting" episodes. The last major episode happened at work (I work in a surgery center) and I woke up with nurses standing around me with a crash cart next to me. The battery was dead on that recorder, another one was put in and they put me on medication to increase my heart rate and my blood pressure. I couldn't tolerate the medicine to increase my heart rate, so it was decided to put the pacer in. My cardiologist has basically described it as an autonomic dysfunction. Basically, when your blood pressure drops, a normal autonomic system will increase your heart rate, which ensures adequate blood flow to your brain to keep you conscious. With an dysfunctional autonomic system, for some reason your heart doesn't respond to the message from your brain to speed up causing your body to go into survival mode and pull the blood to your heart, depleting the blood from your brain, causing syncope. I take medications to increase my blood pressure and am hoping that the pacer will keep my heart rate increased. For me, it was scary because I never knew when it would happen! And the fact that every time it happened I would be sent to the ER. The ER doc would go through the chest pain protocol, not have my medical record, make me feel like an idiot. Luckily I have a wonderful cardiologist who takes the time to listen to me, explain what is happening in terms I can understand and advocate for me. I just had the pacer implanted a week ago, and besides being really sore, I am hopeful that this long journey is over. Being 36, a working mom to three daughters, I didn't think I would ever have a normal life and I am looking forward to being able to do things someone my age does! Good luck to you and I hope that your questions are answered!

Did a tilt table test yesterday...

by tabmoe02 - 2011-03-04 08:03:50

Hi, I was reading all of your comments because yesterday during my tilt table test my heart stopped...I am not sure for how long but I think about 12 seconds. My doctor wasn't there during the test but when I woke up the Nurse Practitioner told me what happened and said I probably need a pacemaker. Did any of you have other tests or was the tilt table test the determining factor for needing a pacemaker? I have had an echo, EKG's, chest x-rays, stress tests and am currently wearing a 28 day halter all test have come up fine. I also have episodes of tachycardia along with my fainting spells and like some of you have been to the ER numerous times and they always said my heart was fine...I was beginning to think it was all in my head until yesterday. I am still waiting to hear from my Cardiologist to see where to go from here and just a little nervous. Thank you for any info you can send!

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