Will I need meds after getting a pacemaker

I am 19 and have a complete heart block and plan on getting a duel or biventicular pacemaker late jan or very early feb. Will i need meds or something I have read a few post about people taking meds after a pacemaker

13 Comments

Need For Meds?

by SMITTY - 2011-01-03 11:01:47

The PM itself will not cause you to need medicines. However, sometimes our heart problem that causes us to need a PM will require medicines in addition to the PM. Your doctor will decide what you do or do not need.

Unlikely

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-04 01:01:26

The heart block means that the electrical pathway between your atrium and ventricles is no longer conducting. In the case the pacemaker has one lead in the atrium that senses its contraction. The pacemaker uses this information to time a small electrical signal to cause the ventricles to contract. To make is simple the pacer just wires around the broken circuit. The result is that you have pretty much a normal heart beat that responds naturally to exercise.

This rarely requires any meds. It's probably the most "fixable" thing you could have happen with your heart.

By the way in case you haven't figured it out by now, Heart Block has nothing to do with blocked arteries.

When you get neared to having surgery done post it here. There are some suggestions we can give you that make healing easier and less painful.

best,
frank

+

by jenp65 - 2011-01-04 01:01:49

Just noticed you are in Washington. I live in Portland, Oregon. Love the Pacific Northwest. Please let everyone know how things are going for you. This is a great site for support.

Jen

'Me Do' ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2011-01-04 01:01:53

After a blood clot in 3/09, started on Warfarin. Had PM 10/09 ~ was still on Warfarin.

Changed tp Praxada 11/05/10 ~ ~

Meds

by jenp65 - 2011-01-04 01:01:55

I received my PM on 12/1/10 due to complete heart block. They had me on blood thinners when I was in the hospital because it appeared I was throwing clots also. Currently I am taking no meds due to the PM. As everyone has stated each person is different. Good luck to you!

Jen

Meds

by agelbert - 2011-01-04 03:01:34

I read recently in a manual describing PM and ICD implantation that the leads of the device have a coating of a steroid on them (the leads come packed in a sterile package from the manufacturer). The purpose of the steroid is to avoid an inflamatory response inside your heart when the leads are positioned.

I guess that's just one of those things that we patients don't get informed about. The leads in the manual were from Guidant.

Thanks for the info

by sugarbunny09 - 2011-01-04 03:01:53

The Dr. never said anything about meds but I just wanted to be sure about it since I did not want to have the pacemaker inserted and then find out I needed meds or something. I plan on getting the pacemaker in january near the end. Here is the link to my first question a little more about me.

http://www.pacemakerclub.com/public/jpage/1/p/story/a/storypage/sid/18288/content.do

I had asked a question in yahoo answers before finding this site. let me say I never got any good answers someone told me that my arteries were blocked I laughed and rolled my eyes.

Sara TB

by LS - 2011-01-04 06:01:53

Something in your post struck me. The part about, "I'm lucky, in that apart from that, my heart is very healthy, so no medications are needed (I was 42 when it was implanted)." I was told my heart was very healthy also, no blockages, etc. Just a problem with the electrical system. However, I'm on meds since my implant. I was 56 when I got the PM, soon to be a year ago.
So, I guess it's up to the Dr. who needs meds or not? What deems the heart "healthy?"
Liz

meds

by LS - 2011-01-04 11:01:59

I've been on meds since my pacemaker. Never was prior to.
Everyone is different though.
Liz

Complete Heart Block

by Beckes76 - 2011-01-04 12:01:06

I have complete heart block as well. I have never been on medication for it. I have had a PM since I was 7. Good luck with everything. Welcome to this club.

Becky

Good luck for surgery

by SaraTB - 2011-01-04 12:01:28

I have a PM for 3rd degree heart block - I'm lucky, in that apart from that, my heart is very healthy, so no medications are needed (I was 42 when it was implanted).
Assuming all other things are equal, I would imagine you probably won't need anything. It really depends on your underlying health and whether you have any other cardiac conditions.

Welcome to the forum - this is definitely the place to ask whatever questions you might have over the coming weeks and months. It's a friendly and supportive place, and no question is 'a silly one' - we've all found ourselves in need of information, and sometimes reassurance.

Let us know how you get on with the procedure. Good luck.

Meds

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-05 02:01:07

There seems to be some controversy between docs as to whether we need to be on thinners to prevent clots around the leads. So a the differences between us is more likely the difference between doc.

frank

Maybe

by MonkeyWarrior88 - 2011-02-07 10:02:50

I have had heart problems my entire life. Before I got me defibrilator, I was on three meds a day for my heart. After getting the device when I was 18, they lowered that amount to two meds a day. It really depends on what you and your doctor decide what is best for you.

You know you're wired when...

Intel inside is your motto.

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