what were your symptoms for needing a pacemaker


My pulse has been hovering between 49 and 65, and when I left my doctors office last week, she told me that I may need a pacemaker. I've also been sort of lightheaded.

I wanted to know what someone else's symptoms were, when they first gave you a pacemaker, because I don't know anyone who has one.

I am a 77 year old woman, who lives alone, and I am very frightened.

Thanks

11 Comments

Some reassurance?

by kermiehiho - 2010-12-27 03:12:07

In my case, a car crashed head-on into mine, and the force of the seatbelt fractured my breastbone and did some trauma on my heart, causing it to slow to around 40 beats and even stop beating for some seconds at a time while I was sleeping. I was actually asymptomatic, because it only happened at night when I was sleeping, and the alarm on the heart monitor machine always woke me up, effectively starting my heart up again. Although I do recall the first time it happened I woke up kind of gasping (I had a dream in which I was running).
I understand your fear; I just turned 25, and to think that I now have this machinery in me still kind of scares me. I was scared going into the procedure, too, but the staff was very nice. They did a good job numbing me up, and even though I was awake, because I was sedated, it really only felt like 5 or 10 minutes. I had a chest tube for a collapsed lung and all four wisdoms pulled out at once, and I would honestly rather have this procedure than any of those. I was discharged the next day, and I think I would have been totally functional were it not for the other injuries I sustained in the crash.
If you are having symptoms like that and live by yourself, I think the pacemaker would offer more peace of mind. I was in the hospital when my heart was stopping, so the beeping heart monitor woke me up, but imagine if I was at home. Even though I live with my family, they wouldn't have known if I were asleep or if my heart stopped. I feel lucky the hospital staff caught this.

While I am aware of lots of folks

by janetinak - 2010-12-27 03:12:53

getting a PM due to low heart rate, my situation was a little different. I have Afib & a very fast heart rate until I got an ablatiojn which was done the old way (only safe option in 2000) which caused me to have low heart rate & then needed a PM. So I guess you can say I backed into needing the PM because of a slow rate. I am sure that you will get some great response tomorrow from others. I am in Alaska & it is only 10;30 PM here but later every where else & all are or should be tucked in for the night. Good luck,

Janet

agelbert

by agelbert - 2010-12-27 05:12:00

Dear Artybet,
I received a pacemaker for syncope (the natural pacemaker in my heart would go on strike for several seconds during which my heart would not beat). It happened in January of 2007 three times. Each time I passed out. The symptoms were:
1) tinglinging in my arms and hands.
2) difficulty breathing (I felt like I couldn't get enough air).
3) feinting for 10 or 15 seconds (according to my wife).

After the second syncope, I went to the hospital in an ambulance. At the hospital they hooked me up to their monitors and (after about an hour) were all set to discharge me with an appointmant within two weeks to take a stress test on a treadmill when the third syncope took place. Since I was on the monitoing equipment, a lot of beeping was emitted with a rush of people coming up to me. My heart stopped for sixteen seconds. I was pale and clammy. They did an echocardiogram and blood tests and within 30 minutes recommended I get a pacemaker. I agreed and they put some exterior plates on me they assured me would shock my heart into action if I experienced another syncope before the operation. About three hours later they put the pacemaker in. It was all quite frightening.
I am not a doctor but I'll tell you what
it sounds like you have to me from what I've read. You have bradycardia (slow heartbeat). Your light headedness is what happens before you faint because you aren't getting enough oxygen to your brain from insufficient blood flow and/or pressure. Standing up makes it worse. Being in a horizontal position means your heart doesn't have to work so hard to get the oxygen to your head. Lay down next to a telephone. If your dizzyiness or light headedness persists I would call 911. Again, that's your call. It may not be all that serious but you never know.
Write down any medication you are taking, the dosage and what you have eaten in the last several hours. If you go to the hospital, they will want to know.
Also, if you have allergies to anything, write that down too.
Finally, if you have some oxygen around or a source of fresh air, try to breathe it. There's a lot of carbon dioxide near fires. Also carbon monoxide poisoning from improper gas furnace settings can cause lightheadedness and heart problems. Make sure you are getting good quality air. Relax and take it easy.
I have said a prayer that you wil get through this okay. God Bless you.

We all have different symptoms

by maureen.coxsey - 2010-12-27 05:12:17

Hi
To start with I can promise you that there is nothing to be afraid of, the thought of any surgery around the heart sounds worse than it is.

I have had mine for 13years, I had it fitted because my heart rate dropped when I was asleep and I started to have fits, the Drs thought it was epilepsy but after many years got the diagnoses right.
I also had lightheaded spells in the day but was told to keep moving and they would pass.
In my younger years I think people thought I was a bit lazy because I was always tired and never wanted to join in the long walks ect but I now know it was my slow heart .

If you have one fitted you wont believe the difference it will make, you will be in and out of hospital in a day (that's if you can arrange for some one to stay with you for a day or two) yes you will be a bit sore but nothing you wont cope with, getting used to the PM is different for everyone and reading these messages will help you through and all the info you will get will take the fear out of anything your not sure of.

You will find lots of new friends on this site, hold your hand out and someone will always be there to hold on tight.
I am Moe 54years old lady, married with one son, live in Liverpool England, sell Diamonds for a living and will be here to hold your hand when ever you feel the need xx

Don't be afraid

by Daffy - 2010-12-27 05:12:46

I am 72 and just got a pm. I was light headed, dizzy, had chest pain. My pulse was from 35 to 60. Also I had LBBB so my ventricles were not synchronized. I got a crt-p, and I am very pleased with it. No more chest pain or light headedness and my pulse is over 60 now.

symptoms

by Tracey_E - 2010-12-27 07:12:08

A hr of 60 or below is defined as bradycardia, or "too slow". Unless it's consistently under 50 or so, they will usually just watch you rather than treat it. If you are having symptoms such as lightheadedness, that's a reason go get the pm sooner rather than later. You are in that gray area now where it may or may not be necessary but if you are having symptoms it will probably help you. When in doubt, get a second opinion so you feel better about your decision.

I was born with 3rd degree block which gave me a low hr, in the 40's. We just watched it and when the symptoms got to be too much, I got the pm. It started out as lightheaded, eventually got I very dizzy and tired, and I got the pm before I started passing out. The pm took care of all of that and I was full of energy again.

Good luck! Are you afraid of the symptoms you have now or of getting the pm? If you have more questions, please don't be shy :o)

Thanks alot everyone

by Arlybet - 2010-12-27 07:12:22

You are all very wonderful and I thank you alot.

It's the middle of the night here in NYC, and I am unable to sleep.

I get up and take my pulse and blood pressure and it's not so good...low pulse rate in the hight 40's and 50's.

I am having a stress test on Tuesday and naturally I shall report here.

I feel very reassured that you are all doing so very well on your pm. Your encouragement gives me courage.
I look forward to reading other responses.

symptoms

by LS - 2010-12-27 10:12:56

Mine came on quite suddenly. What was happening was my heart rate was dropping very low, and then racing to catch up. When this happened, I referred to them as "episodes." After an episode, I was exhausted! The EP explained to me that it was like a marathon runner would feel after a run.
So, I got the PM and am also on meds.
Liz

Maybe Getting A Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2010-12-27 11:12:33

Hello Arlybet,

The first thing I want to say is, as other have, don't be frightened about getting a pacemaker. I feel like I can say that with some authority as I'm 81 and I got my second one a little over a year ago.

As you can see from the other comments the reason people get pacemakers are many. However, you will notice most of them had one thing in common. That was a tendency to pass out, get dizzy or lightheaded. As you know the reason for those symptoms is when the heart is beating slow and can't speed up fast enough to meet the blood flow demands of the body, those are frequently the symptoms. So far as I'm concerned there is no better solution than a pacemaker.

If, or when, you get a pacemaker don't be like many of us were and think that pacemaker is going to take the full time responsibility of making your heart beat. A pacemaker is nothing but a helper for your heart. That pacemaker will have settings and it will monitor your heart function full time. When your heart rate gets below the set point of the PM then it will kick in and speed up your heart beat. You will not feel the pacemaker doing its job anymore than you feel your heart's natural pacemaker.

Have no fear of that manmade pacemaker stopping. It that happens, which is virtually impossible, your heart will not even notice it the manmade job has stopped and just go back to doing what it was before you got the pacemaker and some of your old symptoms may return. If that should happen you return to the doctor for a replacement. It's that simple.

Now about being 77 and living alone. Getting a pacemaker may put a crimp in some of your activities for a few days to a few weeks, but it should not cause you to be unable to continue to take care of your self. The best part is you will not longer have to be concerned about getting lightheaded and possibly falling.

Please let us know the results of your next doctor visit.

I wish you the best,

Smitty

Symptoms to require a pacemaker

by heather1723 - 2010-12-28 10:12:46

Good Morning;
I am a 33 year old female who required a PM on 6/7/10. I too found out I needed one because I went in to a Walgreens Take Care Clinic in January 2010 thinking I had Strep Throat, the doctor took my heart rate 3 separate times and then asked me if I was feeling okay. I said I have a sore throat and a headache but other than that I feel fine. She told me my heart rate was taken 3 times and each time she didn't get a rate higher than 36. She suggested I go in for a checkup with my primary physician. I then saw my doctor and she suggested I see a cardiologist with the Family History I have ( mother had double bypass and both sets of grand parents died of heart disease). I saw a Cardiologist in Feb 2010 and had a battery of tests done, I never got an answer about my dizziness and fainting in my younger years until I saw the Cardiologist and realized it was from my heart.

I was diagnosed with Bradycardia and Syncope. I had a Stress Test, EKG, 24 Hour Holter and a 30 day Holter. They actually thought I misplaced the wires on the 24 hour monitor because it read so low, so when they did the 30 day Holter test they realized how bad it really was.

At night when I was sleeping, my heart rate would get as low as 13! They decided to have me do a EP Study on 6/7/10 and depending on the results I could possibly have a PM in a month. I went in at 8:30 AM for the test and came out at 9:15 AM. I was told that I am on the waiting list for the Operating Room and was immediately taken back in for surgery at 1:30 PM. I came out of surgery at 3:45 PM and had to wait to get a room for the night.

After I was in my room I was told what had happened, for those of you who have never had an EP Study this is what they do and how my surgery ended up being a PM.

They give you a sedative to make you unaware of your surroundings (It was a 2 hour procedure but it felt like 5 minutes). Then then make an incision in your groin (mine was the right side) and run a catheter in your vein to your heart for the test. Now in every person you have a natural pacemaker called a Sinus Node that sits on top of your heart ( I didn't know this before). It tells your heart when to beat and how fast. So what they did is they made the catheter beat at a high rate at around 125 and then stopped it to see how long it took for my sinus node to kick back on again. The average time frame is less than a half of a second, mine took 8 seconds.

They called the insurance comany and gave them the test results, within 3 minutes the insurance company called back and said to do the PM surgery.

It has been a little over 6 months now since the surgery and I feel great. Granted I gained weight back since the surgery because I wasnt allowed to exercise for awhile after the surgery but I am working on that now.

The funniest part of this journey I went on.......I never found out if I had Strep Throat or not!

Grateful-

by Arlybet - 2010-12-29 10:12:46


I had a stress test and a echo yesterday, and the results were negative, BUT, I still have the symptoms so I shall be undergoing other tests to determine what is causing the symptoms of dizziness, light headness, fatigue, and the other symptoms that you all have described.

I was totally strong about getting a pacemaker, thanks to all of you very kind, generous and giving people here. I was ready and prepared for it. Fortunately, I don't need one, but I shall have to pursue my problems and determine the cause of my symptoms with my doctor.

Bless you all and I wish everyone a very happy and a healthy new year.

Thanks again.

Arlybet

You know you're wired when...

You have a shocking personality.

Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.