just diagnoised

I am 68 years old, fairly active, and recently experience a sudden drop in my heart rate. It averages 44 beats a minute. After a day on the Holter monitor I was told I need a pacemaker. I am scheduled this week to see a surgeon and get details.  What should I ask and what do I need to find out to insure that a pacemaker is right? This is all new to me and I feel somewhat apprehensive about the diagnoisis.

4 Comments

What kind of pacemaker

by zawodniak2 - 2018-04-16 17:39:26

Based on your activity level, make sure you get a rate responsive pacemaker. Also, make sure you get MRI compatible pace maker and MRI compatible leads.  Pretty standard these days, but make sure.  I know Medtronic makes them as does other brands.  You will be fine.

        Rodger 

PM

by Jimmy Dinfla - 2018-04-16 18:56:20

Also talk about whether your device will have a home monitoring capability, placement options, restrictions during recovery and when your first follow-up appointment will be.  Follow-up will include an interrogation of your device and they may need to tweak some of the device's initial settings to accommodate your unique situation.  You say you are fairly active - this device will help you remain so.  

diagnosis

by Tracey_E - 2018-04-17 09:28:52

A normal heart rate is 60-80 and yours averages 44, so it's pretty easy to say yes you need it. There are no other fixes for a slow heart rate. There are no meds that will do it, it doesn't go away on its own. Usually it only gets worse over time and it's hard on the body so a pacer makes sense.

Electrical problems can come on suddenly in an otherwise healthy heart.  We often don't know what caused it, it's unrelated to lifestyle. It's normal to feel blindsided, it's normal to want to be in denial, to be apprehensive. It sounds a lot scarier than it is. The pacer is our watchdog. If it's set for a minimum of 60 bpm, it won't let the heart go a second without a beat. Any time the heart doesn't beat fast enough on its own,it sends a signal that mimics what our heart should have done on its own,the heart responds by contracting. It's a relativelly simple fix. Most of us heal and get on with our lives, barely giving it a thought.

Talk to your doctor about your lifestyle to be sure that you get a device compatible with your activities. 

Just Diagnosed

by Edgebull - 2018-04-29 17:15:06

If you are pacing the majority of the time, make sure that you are aware of the risks of connecting one of the leads to your right ventricle.

This can cause major problems with your left ventricle!

Not only will your EF decrease, you can get congestive heart failure!

Edge

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