Future diagnosis

Morning everyone, I'm 7 weeks post dual lead pacemaker for complete heart block aged 50. I saw the Cardiologist recently and he explained that he is unsure what caused my heart block and that 50 is young for this to happen. He is arranging an MRI (my pacemaker is seemingly MRI compatible) and another echocardiogram as he thinks there may be an underlying problem which caused the heart block. When I was in CCU they said the pacemaker would "fix" me, it has given me my life back as I was like an old lady in a young body prior to urgent admission, but this query of underlying problem has scared me, has anyone else been told this?

Donna x

4 Comments

Good morning from The West Country!

by Mapleshaz - 2017-10-30 07:16:25

I am a newbie here and due a CRT-D implant this Wednesday! I was ordered an MRI (including a pseudo stress test) last year. As you say, the purpose of the cardiac MRI is to find the cause of our problems. They found none so deduced that it must have been due to hereditary factors or genetic. They have advised that my sister and children should have a base line ECG done. I also had an Echocardiogram which studies the efficacy of the heart etc. That report did not make good reading and has led to where I am now. I have an EF of 26, my ventricals are not synchronised and so the list goes on and on. AND still no symptoms that I would recognise as heart problems. Weird. I have added a few more details on my profile, feel free to read it. On a positive note, if there is a problem, then hopefully they will be able to fix it or monitor it. Far better knowing what they are dealing with. It sounds like you are being very well looked after. Do as much research as you can tolerate, use this wonderful site, ask your doctors all the questions you want/need to have answered.  It’s your body, you are in control. Good luck for the future and let us know how you make out. ❤️

Complete heart block and MRI

by LondonAndy - 2017-10-30 08:19:06

I have complete heart block too, but the cause of mine was "surgical complication" - ie they accidentally damaged the electrics in my heart when fitting a new mechanical Aortic valve.  Just one of those things, and no problems with the pacemaker.

However, it did appear to delay getting an MRI scan done, and if you experience delays see my post: https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/32059 and message me.

All the best!

no known cause

by Tracey_E - 2017-10-30 11:52:37

Most of us with heart block never know what caused it. It can be caused by surgery, some medications, infection. It's not genetic tho moms with Lupus are more likely to have children with CHB. They can test all they want, but if you haven't had one of the obvious causes, it's not likely they will find another answer. Electrical issues just happen, often at random in an otherwise perfectly healthy heart. You have the fix, so at this point it doesn't much matter what caused it. 

Unknown Cause

by Jmazei2 - 2017-11-02 12:08:19

Hey Donna. So I am 31 and just got a dual chamber pacemaker two days ago! I also had a complete heart block. The EP did a bunch of tests prior to putting in the pacemaker to see what the cause was including ultrasound, cardiac MRI, and blood tests for Lyme disease. All came back negative. So, it's definitely possible that it just happened and your heart is totally healthy except for the block, like mine. The cardiac MRI looks for any tissue abnormalities in the heart, so for example, something like Sarcoidosos which I had never heard of before this last weekend. It's also annoying because you have to hold your breath most of the time. Good luck and hopefully it comes back all healthy!

Cheers,

 

Jenna

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