real answer

I am 60 years old,with 3rd degree heart block, I am totally dependent on pacemaker. I had flatlined in hospital before could put in temporary pm. While putting pm in my arm had mild heart attack. Then put in permanant pm,on 6/10/11. What I want to know is how many of you (if you have same condition) have went back to a physically demanding job for 40 hours a week? And how long before you were able? Thanks

1 Comments

Likely should be no problem

by ElectricFrank - 2011-07-04 02:07:44

Your ability to do heavy work has more to do with your basic physical condition than having a pacemaker. The 3rd degree block sounds ominus, but actually it is one of the least threatening and most easily solved problems. First off, keep in mind that it doesn't mean you have blocked arteries. The problem is a failed nerve bundle that is supposed to carry the message from the upper chamber (atrium) to the lower chamber (ventricle). If the ventricle doesn't receive the natural pacing information it usually slows down to a very slow beat like 25-40bpm. It is also possible to go into full arrest, but rare. The solution is to use a pacemaker to wire around the failed nerve. One lead wire senses the atrial contraction (which is still normal) and uses it to time a very small burst of electrical energy which goes via a second lead to the ventricle. Once hooked up and adjusted everything works normally again.

I was 74 when my HR dropped to 40 and then on down to 26 before the implant. I was totally awake in the OR during the procedure and felt my heart rate jump to a normal 75 or so when they turned it on. Very shortly after the implant I was back hiking and 4wd exploring in the desert, and have been continuing since.I just turned 81.

One last comment for what it is worth. Don't get too shook up over terms like "flat lined" and "mild heart attack". The medical community uses them loosely, but you won't find them in the official medical records. For instance we all flat line between each heart beat. Most of us including healthy young adults skip a beat or 2 regularly, which qualifies as flat lining. A heart attack is the result of a blocked blood vessel in the heart depriving it of blood.

So, my suggestion is to slowly work back up to your normal work level. There is a good reason for the instruction to keep your left arm below shoulder level for a few weeks. However, it doesn't mean keeping it immobile, which can cause shoulder problems. There is some indications for avoiding lifting heavy weights for a few weeks as well. It all has to do with avoiding pulling on the lead wires until they are scared into the wall of the vein.

Finally, if you have any problems with shortness of breath or arrythmia's as you become more active check back here with us. We may be able to suggest some errors in programming that are common with active patients.

good luck,

frank

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