Chest pain while flying and lead extraction

hey everyone,
I have a couple of questions, 1. I have noticed since my replacement PM 2 yr.s ago that every time I fly on a jet I get intense pain over my PM, which is on the left side, which travels up my left neck to my head and also travels down between my shoulder blades. It truly hurts, it feels like I'm having a heart attack. It usually stops once on the ground or shortly thereafter , I saw my MD today for an interrogation and he said he had never heard of such a thing. He said that the PM should not bee affected by the pressure or anything. I am hoping that someone here has experienced the same thing or has an answer for me.
2. I have been have transient dizzy spells that come on for no reason and pass very quickly. When my PM was replaced they found one of my 2 leads was not working so they put a 3rd one in, they left the bad one in just dis-connected. The MD said that the 2 leads in the bottom chamber may be rubbing together and causing the spells. Since I am small he said they could not put in a new lead, the space is too small, so either they would have to take the leads out or maybe even switch everything to my right side. He is going to call the Boston MD's and see what they recommend. Anyone had to deal with something like this? Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks so much for your time.

5 Comments

Dizziness

by maryanne - 2008-06-18 01:06:08

Sorry I missed your second question.

There are so many causes for dizziness, and they are not all PM related. Hyper or Hypotension(High or low blood pressure)or postural hypotension can cause dizzines, lack of sleep, heat, hyper or hypoglycemia(icrease or decrease in blood sugars), sudden changes in heart rate, stress, alcohol, dehydration, and medications, just to name a few.

As I said there are many causes of dizziness and not are all related to our PM. Of course seeing as we have PM's we naturally assume it must be our pacemaker causing these symptoms. Your doctor would be remiss to not consider your PM as the cause for your dizziness. Just remember PM"s are not the only cause for dizziness.

Just on an aside. I have had a PM since I was 23 and have had 4 PM replacements and lead replacement, I am now in my mid fouries. My PM has never limited me from doing anything I wanted to do. I went through 3 preganacies, I sky dive, water ski, and snow ski,I have gone parasailing, rock climbing, I run regularly, I love to ride my ATV, I use chain saws, weed eaters, lawn mowers.

So what I say....is live your life....that is what the PM was suppose to do....if you have questions ask...which is great....but don't fear your PM....

I wish you good health!!

traveling

by grandmom - 2008-06-18 01:06:22

It is so great to know that flying should not bother a new pacemaker. I have had my pacemaker for a little over year and altho I have not flown yet I will be two times this winter. I will have to remember to ask my doctor this when I see him in a couple of months.

HIGH RISK SITUATION

by peter - 2008-06-18 04:06:18

Im surprised your doctor is not aware of the potential effects of flying for pacemaker patients. What you are describing though is an extreme reaction although not unheard of. I do think you need to be thinking along the lines that these pains are a warning sign and your heart is greatly stressed by the lack of oyygen and lower air pressure at altitude. Your symptoms are much more like being on the verge of a induced heart attack. There could be a risk of sudden cardiac death. I dont want to frighten you but I would like you to take note and not fly until they have got to the bottom of it. When you are flying the pressure and oxygen level equate to being at a height of about 8000ft this is known to effect people with heart arrythmias causing increased ectopic beats, arterial desaturation and cardiopulmonary decompensation. Also at altitude the stimulation thresholds of your pacemaker can in rare cicumstances be altered. You might suggest to doctors that you wear a holter/monitor during your next flight if you want to risk it to see what is happening (Let the airline know). At altitude your heart is being asked to work much harder for longer and if you are 100% healthy its OK, but for some, a minority of pacemaker patients it is not OK. I am quite worried that the severity of your pain is not coming from your pacemaker and as we all know pain is the way we are told that something is not right and that we need to be carefull. Take care . Cheers Peter

thanks

by patpeter - 2008-06-18 07:06:49

Thanks Peter and Maryanne for replying to my questions I really appreciate it. Yes, Maryanne I only experience this pain when I'm flying in big planes. I live on an island so I fly in small planes that don't really go high up and it doesn't bother me at all, only the big planes that go high in the sky. So I don't know maybe the altitude like Peter said? It is scary and I'll have to talk to my MD again, I think. Regarding the dizziness Maryanne you are right this can be caused by many things but when my doc did my interrogation yesterday he saw the problem on the interrogator machine. He called today and said the experts in Boston said nothing has to be done right away unless the symptoms increase but at my next PM change probably the leads will have to be removed, so hopefully that will be a long time from now!
I never had any problems with my first PM , oh well, as you say I will live my life, I'm very active as well and my PM has never interfered with my living before.
Thanks so much for the input!
Pat

Travelling with your PM

by maryanne - 2008-06-18 12:06:57

The previous commentator makes some valid points. However, I would disagree with his carte blanche comment on people with PM's being at greater risk.

With today's technology PM's have come a long way. A person travelling with a PM is at no greater risk of heart related issues than a person with known atrial fibrillation, uncontrolled or controlled blood pressure, clotting issues, diabetes, or respiratory issues.

If your PM is functioning well, there should be no reason to limit flying. The icendence of those issues the previous commentor stated happening are rare, and could happen to anyone.

However, in your case you state you are symptomatic, hence if you know flying causes symptoms then you should not fly until those symptoms are resolved. I also have an extra lead in place...and yes sometimes it is uncomfortable. The lead as you may or may not know is somewhat floating and can migrate, this may be the case in your situation. The increased pressure could be puttng pressure on the floating lead and it may be interfering with the other leads, causing you this pain. Do you only get this pain when you fly?

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