Hope this isn't a dumb question

I am not sure if this has been answered recently but I am wondering if u can originally be in complete heart block when u were first diagnosed as needing a pacemaker and then over a period of time not be in complete heart block anymore?? Last time I had my pacer check-I have had mine since Oct /06-the nurse seemed surprised cause I wasn't in complete heart block anymore. I don't understand -is this good, bad, or mean nothing??

4 Comments

Ask Smitty!

by auntiesamm - 2008-01-24 10:01:52

This is definitely a Smitty question. If anyone in this club has the answer he's the one! Hopefully he will weigh in on this.

The heart can heal

by ElectricFrank - 2008-01-25 01:01:35

Heart conduction problems can be caused by things like a viral or bacterial infection in the heart. Like any infection it can resolve over time and if there wasn't permanent damage to that part of the heart normal rhythm could return. It's a good idea though to have the pacer available as the condition can return unexpectedly. As long as the pacer is programmed properly it will stop pacing anytime your heart is able to take over on its own.
I would say it is a good sign!

frank

relax

by Todd - 2008-01-25 04:01:27

The coumadin won't hurt you and the blood clot would have got you before this. Been on heavy coumadin snce 87, all people with mechanical heart valves are. Once in awhile a different medicine or food wil make the coumadin crazy. Don't cut yourself or do work that will cause bruises. Good excuse to do nothing but watch tv or the internet, you'll be ok/todd

My Heart Block Disappeared Too

by Vicki - 2008-01-25 08:01:28

I went to ER in July of last year. Found out I was in complete heart block. They admitted me and watched me for 3 days. I take beta blockers for SVT and BB can cause heart block so they took me off the BB. Nothing changed and I was still in complete heart block. So, had PM implanted in July. One week later I went to surgeon because I was concerned about incision. Heart block gone! Pacer used less than 1% of time. 3 months later and 6 months later same thing. I was tested for Lyme because that is a disease that can cause heart block. Test was negative. But the test was done three months after the PM was put in and I had been on antibiotics for 2 weeks for dental problems. Doctors have no idea why this happened. If you would like more info, feel free to private message me.

Vicki

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.