Loop Monitor - Low Heart Rate

His-bundle Pacing No Big Deal

by Terry - 2018-06-15 18:13:59

Alan, 

You could be among the 10 to 15% of ventricular paced patients whom experience what your doctor calls "pacing induced heart failure" within the first two years if your doctor places your lead so that it bypasses your His Purkinje system; see <www.His-pacing.org>. As the paradigm shifts to natural physiological ventricular pacing at the His bundle, you may have to go to Mayo, Cleveland Clinic or a university hospital near you to avoid the risk of heart failure.

All the best,

Terry

Seek a second opinion, pronto!

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-16 00:25:00

I agree with everything Robin1 said.  This is a very dangerous situation.  You don't give a lot of information but it sounds like you have sick sinus (SSS).  If that's the case, a single lead pacemaker would easily fix it.  Basically, the pacemaker would set a floor heart rate and your heart would be allowed to take over and increase it from there (AAI mode).

You're young for a pacemaker but all that means is that they're going to have to replace it when the battery runs out (many times, you hope ;-).  They told me the same thing, and I'm 65.  Having to have another one in a decade is a stupid reason to risk your life hoping that by some miracle, cutting caffiene works. 

Pacemaker should be considered

by tedd - 2018-06-16 01:41:08

I had BP in the 30's and it alarmed me and my cardiologist.

i was told to wear a 14 day Holter monitor.

results said I had 13 pauses up to 6 seconds.

two docs recommended a pacemaker.

i got it 3 weeks ago, blood pressure/pulse now normal.

i wouldn't play around delaying it. You are of risk injuring yourself or others. If nessary, get a few doctors opinions then decide.

Confirmation 2nd opinion

by AlanMac - 2018-06-16 04:08:09

Many thanks for your comments guys.

I think you have all just confirmed what I was thinking - basically not to delay getting a PM. I’m pretty sure cutting caffeine ain’t going to make any difference.

im in the uk Scotland, so it’s our National Health Service that’s duty bound to get to the bottom of this. I’m off to source another opinion.

Thanks again for your opinion.

Alan

Play dirty

by Claracluck - 2018-06-16 04:51:18

Hi

i see you are in the uk . My gp refered me to to a cardiologist with a six week wait ( I couldn’t even go to the bathroom i was that weak) i took my self to A&E with a Heart rate of 28 they kept me in and gave me a pacemaker. do not hesitate it could be fatal yes you are young , i am 49 but age is no indicator.

8weeks on im back at work and living my life please be proactive  and go to A&E.all sorts of people have pacemakers. Let us know how you get on.

Ps

by Claracluck - 2018-06-16 05:16:00

I asked the cardio in hospital if the cause could be too much caffine or diet cola ( i drink alot of coffee ) raised eyebrows and laughter ensued with an “absolutely not!”. Then I asked if could be panic attacks again no.so I absolutely tried to work out what was going on and really didnt want to waste their time in A&E when really it saved my life.

Thank you

by AlanMac - 2018-06-16 06:45:00

Thank you Claracluck,

I’m not messing about any further. I need to get another cardiologist for 2nd opinion.

My resting HR is always low40’s (for years without an issue), but has obviously dropped too low on a few occasions now.  

I’ll be making calls on Monday to get another Cardiologist,

Many thanks for everyone’s input / opinion.

Alan

similar symptoms

by bridgermichael - 2018-06-16 19:11:19

Alan

i had an unexplained drop and very similar symptoms to you- I'm in uk and it turned out that hitting my head on the floor was the best thing that could have happened as instead of going to doctors and waiting for cardiology appointments be caused I was knocked out I was blue lighted into hospital - I then had a stroke of luck as the person assigned (NHS) would not let up and I had so many tests including the weird Ricky Moraillas Eeg with the wires from head to computer ! anyway I was found to be 30 and with AFib and I was fitted with a pacemaker about a month later - best thing ever and you get cleared to drive by Dvla 7 days later once fitted - never looked back had it 2.5 years now - fab - can do almost anything - 

hope the second opinion comes to same conclusion as everyone here u need one ! hope you don't have to wait too long 

mike 

Life with a pacemaker

by Big Fred - 2018-06-17 15:18:50

Once you have a pacemaker fitted, life goes back to normal and you can still do sports apart from any which involve physical contact. The PM will have a baseline setting for minimum HR and probably an upper limit too, which will vary depending on your age. I had dizzy spells from time to time including occasions when I was talking whilst driving the car and had no idea what was happening until my HR dropped to 30 whilst on holiday in Canada. PM fitted very quickly in Quebec and after 4 years now 100% paced, but life goes on.....

never too young

by dwelch - 2018-06-17 20:12:00

I cant really add anything with respect to what you may have and you and your eventual doctors decision about a pacer.

What i can add is I have had a pacemaker for over 30 years, I am on number five.  My first at 19 years old.  If then was now they might have put it in earlier than that.  I am 50 years old now.  And am still one of the youngest patients in the office.

They can put pacers in infants, you are not too young, if you need this device, or even if they put it in and decide to take it out later, it is probably worth doing.  A small scar yes, maybe a small bulge depending on the size of the device, but you can return to a normal life, it is well worth it.

You do need to be able to trust the doc, if you are not comfotable move on.  The doctors feelings are not your concern, your feelings and quality of life is what matters, dont trade your quality of live to make your doctor feel better about doing their job.

I do doubt seriously that this is a diet thing, if you are that close to the edge then you have an issue anyway.  Now could this be anxiety or some other non-heart related issue?  Sure.

Same age

by Thegirlparaglider - 2018-06-18 13:59:42

I am 44 too and just had a PM for low heart rate.

Initially my Cardiologist said the same that I was too young. He was ok to wait as long as my heart block was at night but when it started happening in the day he said ok now it is time. 

I have seen 5 different cardiologists over the years, 4 are electrophysiologists. It's worth having a second opinion if your history is complicated. I have found an amazing difference to how I feel post PM - in fact it is only now I see how poorly I was before.

Good luck

I had the same thing

by Paced and potsy - 2018-06-19 11:11:01

Hi Alan,

I am 36 (I was 35 at the time). I was experiencing loss of consciousness. I had an ILR fitted. I had previously had a confirmed diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia, so heart rate would increase rapidly when standing and I would become dizzy. 

The ILR showed that along with this my heart rate was dropping to early 30’s late 20’s.

I was fortunate to be referred from my local hospital to a specialist one. (I am also in UK) So was under a Electrophysiologist and team of specialist nurses. They were reluctant to give me a pacemaker as my blood pressure also drop when I loose consciousness, and the pacemaker would not help this.

so they couldn’t guarantee it would stop me passing out which had become a daily occurrence. 

After a few weeks of data from the ILR, combine with previous tests, ecg, echo, holter, tilt test, they had an MDT meeting and thought it was the best way to proceed.

That was last Nov, I haven’t passed out once and am so grateful for my pacemaker.

I am not allowed to drive until review, but I have started the paperwork with the DVLA and it seems straight forward.

Its a big undertaking as it’s a commitment to lifelong intervention, but from my perspective it meant I got a life. 

A big of caution on the hospitals part however is good as you can be more confident they have then made the right choice.

good luck!! 

Thank You from Scotland

by AlanMac - 2018-06-19 13:03:24

Wow, Its amazing how a lot of us have had similar issues. Glad to hear you are all pretty much sorted now.

I've made the call to get a 2nd opinion and made a call to my cardiologist to ask more about this caffiene thing. Should hear back tomorrow from them hopefully.

I'm of the opinion that if I need the PM then I need the PM fitted. I know I can't do contact sports after its in, (I have competed in Judo since 11 yearsf old - was British champion last year for my age and weight) but I'd rather have my life and independence back as soon as possible. I have young family and a business to run which is all suffering because of this issue I have. Frustrating it is!!

Thanks again for all your comments.

Alan