about to get a pacemaker

Hello

Well I have just joined your club, it is very informative, and I need some assurance and/or guidance, 56 years old, weigh 150, run 5 miles 8.3 pace daily and lift weights 3-4 x weekly.  Suddenly two weeks ago, just could not run, thought it was a one off, but since then I cannot even jog, where in 2 minutes or less cannot catch my breath, I can walk at 4.4 on treadmill for 6 miles and lift and not even a bit tired, so Dr diagnosed me with second degree heart block and need a pacemaker since my heart rate won’t seem to go above 80 to 85 bpm any more. Also some slight dizziness if I get up too quickly once or twice a day.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? ... that it can change so dramatically overnight?  Anyone have any thoughts as I am concerned and about to have the operation on Monday?

Thanks for any advice,

6 Comments

Sounds very familar

by ElectricFrank - 2012-04-06 11:04:56

An electrical block can come on suddenly even in people who are very fit. It has nothing to due with health or blocked arteries. It is a defect in one one of the nerve pathways in the heart and can be caused by a variety of things. Most of the time the reason isn't obvious. The term Heart Block is a poor one as it gives a picture of the blocked arteries seen in the TV ads.

A pacemaker can provide a pathway around the defect and all is well again. I have 3rd deg block which means mine is 100% blocked. It is just one step past yours. Mine started with a sudden drop of my HR to 40, and then on down to 26 before getting the pacer. My HR wasn't affected much at all by exercise. I had the pacer implanted in 2004 and have been back to normal since.

Don't let it upset you if you are able to get back to the 5 mile runs right away. Not only do you need some time to heal before that heavy workout, but there are also some settings in the pacer that need to be adjusted. Be sure and get back here and we can hekp you understand it all.

One other suggestion: After the surgery it helps to sleep on the side opposite the pacemaker with a pillow in front of you to support the upper arm. The idea is to keep from squeezing the incision area which can be painful. This is only for a week or so until it settles down. All in all the surgery is simple. I was out walking briskly the day after it.

Oh, by the way, the Easter weekend has the number of folk logged on the site way down. This will affect the number of responses you get this time.

best wishes,

frank

Been in similar circumstance

by tutu - 2012-04-07 02:04:04

Hi.
I was 42 when I was trying to get back into cardio training after a hip surgery (a Birmingham hip resurfacing). I was running a few miles about four times a week but already lean from weight training, biking and lots of walking mileage. What was odd was that I couldn't get past about 4 mph on the treadmill and thought it was surgery recovery related. On track I was real slow too. I thought it would improve but it stayed like this for several months. Then I started getting slight dizzy sensation going up long flight of stairs. Then days when it was cold and I was bundled up in sweatshirts I was freezing my ass off! It was extremely weird and until I got the dizzy spells I just thought I was recovering from surgery. Anyway, i went to a cardiologist and I was stage two going to stage three pretty quickly. I was at about 40 bpm and the the doctor took me straight to emergency for surgery the next morning. But while at the hospital pre surgery it dipped to about 25. It was scary but I'm super grateful to be alive and now train hard biking, running, swimming -- stronger than I ever was. It was 15 months ago. I'm 43 and it's been mostly smooth sailing and active. I forget it's there nowadays often. It really messed my head up a first but then you learn how reliable this treatment and these devices are for us. This forum is excellent and helped me a ton. I wish you all the best and not to worry too much. When I got out of surgery the difference was HUGE how much energy and endurance returned. Best wishes ... Scott

Been there--done that

by Bogey419a - 2012-04-08 05:04:54

I have brady-tachy cardia---where my heart won't drive byond 83 and sometimes no more than 35. Thus, a PM was installed. I'm set at 60 low and 141 high. I ride 120 to 150 miles a week now and have no problem other than A Fib at times, controlled largely by Sotalol with a blood thinner. I'll be riding my 10 MS150 bike ride. I'm 75 yers old. I always wear a polar cardio monitor "to be sure," but seldom avoid excercizeing due to fears.

your insight and advice

by sjd - 2012-04-08 06:04:58

can't tell you enough how grateful I am for the notes and detailed comments, it does really help to know your not alone, and it can happen at any time! In addition to the valuable advice, what to expect, advice on post operation and encouragement, I do feel more comfortable. well let you know how it goes, its tomorrow afternoon, this is rather elementary but Dr said not to sweat to avoid infection, so guessing no showers just baths somehow? also when do you recommend walking even very slow for couple few miles? will I be capable?
thanks again,

Steve

Timing is interesting

by gator - 2012-04-13 04:04:22

I have had a shiny new PM since January 24th. On Monday the 23rd I was literally "tracked down" when I was with clients and told that they had a spot at 7:00 the next day to do the implant --> SURPRISE!!!! My symptoms were not exactly like yours, but the tests were VERY clear. Two things --> talk to folks about it and get your head around the fact that it is to extend your life (a worthwhile enterprise I should think), albeit an inconvenience at the outset (I did not have time to do this and the PTSD syptoms were clear). AND since then, I have played over a dozen ice hockey games including an international tournament --> and they did not have to scrape me off the ice, which wopuld have been likely had I not had it done.

There will be transition, but is will pass.

Blessings!

by Cobpop - 2012-04-16 11:04:42

My pm has been a blessing, I couldn't even walk outside and change the water hose without stopping to catch my breath.

I have Bradycardia, and i've had my pm for five years going on six.

Three years ago I started running half marathons. I'm 60 years old and I just finished my fifth Half. My goal is to do two Halfs each year. It is a blessing just to finish. It reminds me that it is a blessing to be alive.

Your story sounds familiar though the circumstances are different. I felt wonderful right after the surgery, and was great in the hospital. About three weeks later I went through a period of depression, but after three months it felt like life was starting to find a new normal.

Each day has been a blessing. Prior to the surgery I wasn't even aware how things were gradually changing.

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

Member Quotes

I live an extremely normal life now and my device does NOT hinder me in any way.