Pacing for Vasovagal Syncope

Just a thought

by El Gordo - 2018-12-13 07:54:06

I don't think I have your specific condition (I know I have a 3rd degree heart block, but little more), but my heart was stopping frequently, and weakness, head rushes were the order of the day for years. I never had a "culminating incident", and I didn't have any idea of how sick I really was. I know I came really close while scuba diving last March and at least once while driving on the highway. When my cardiologist asked me how I felt about a pacemaker, it all came together, and I said "absolutely". Two weeks later he gave me my life back.

What if you're on a ladder, or swimming? I wouldn't wait; you could spend the rest of your life debating this. The next time you hit your head might be the last time.

Get another doctor!!!

by Tracey_E - 2018-12-13 10:18:37

A 15 second pause is SERIOUS!!!!! Normally they'd pace if you have pauses over 5-6 seconds. Your heart can stop and not start up. You can be seriously injured passing out. Not wanting to pace because we are too young is one of my giant pet peeves! I had one of those doctors. I spent years struggling, being in danger, when a simple surgery and I could have been feeling good. At the time,I was afraid of the pacer and happy to procrastinate, but in hindsight I was more than a little resentful that he put me at risk like that. 

Vasovagal is a combination of drops in heart rate and blood pressure. The pacer will only fix the heart half of the problem. 

p.s.

by Tracey_E - 2018-12-13 10:24:13

I have congenital heart block so different condition, but I dealt with limited stamina and passing out and the get it/don't get it discussion through my teens. I didn't get my first until 27. If I'd known then what I know now, I would have asked for it in college. My kids are your age, so I've been paced a long time now, and I have never once regretted anything but waiting so long. 

Pacemaker age--over 21?

by Gotrhythm - 2018-12-13 14:55:40

What does being 21 have to do with it?

A heart that has stopped for 15 seconds could leave you just as dead, or badly injured as someone much older. And we won't even talk about the danger you are to others if you drive a car.

I'm with Tracey. Get another opinion, ideally from a cardiologist in a different town/city. (In small towns/cities, medical services can be quite inbred making doctors loathe to go against the opinions of others.)

Do be aware that a pacemaker won't totally fix the syncope problem--i.e. even with a pacemaker on board, you can still faint and feel as if you are near to fainting. However, the pacemaker will prevent your heart from stopping and also prevent your heart rate from dropping precipitously even if your blood pressure drops. A faint will no longer lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Just for the record, I do have neurocardiogenic syncope, in addition to a bunch of purely cardiac diagnoses. I got the pacemaker before being diagnosed with NCS.

No doubt

by Stanley18 - 2018-12-15 13:14:59

I agree with the earlier comments.

Like you, I suffered head injuries upon fainting. The second of those blackouts was at the top of the stairs; I tumbled to the bottom and into the corner of a chest of drawers. The five-inch scar on my forehead is a constant reminder. I could have easily broken my neck. My doctors identified pauses in my heartbeat from a Loop Recorder and the decision to pace was essentially made for me without hesitation.

I've reflected upon my relatively young age (50, although not nearly as young as you of course!) but I have never doubted the decision to fit the device. Since my PM was fitted three months ago, I haven't blacked out at all.

I'm still working with the doctors on what I suspect is continuing, sudden drops in bp and I await a tilt table test.