Pacemaker newbie

Hi all!  Just got my pacemaker 3 days ago.  I'm still processing this happened.  I'm 66 and a few months ago I had some slight dizzy issues and noticed walking uphill was causing shortness of breath.  Long story short, doc had all the usual tests done but NOT a EKG.  Everything was completely normal.  Then 2 weeks ago I got a Apple iwatch because I'm a type 1 diabetic (not juvenile, I was 38 when diagnosed) and I wanted to keep closer tabs on my glucose.  Which by the way, works great for that.  Anyway, I added heart rate as a complication on the watch face since my doc suggested I was just in need of more cardio in my workout.  I started getting alerts of a low heart rate almost immediately.  Contacted my doc and she ordered a EKG.  In the morning I played a round of golf, felt absolutely fine and then went to run some errands and thought I'd get the EKG to cross it off my "to do" list.  Lo and behold before I know it they're taking me to ER and telling me I need a pacemker.  So I'm home now, healing up and reading more.  So happy to find this forum.  I know I'm going to be visiting often as well as telling everyone I really believe the iWatch saved my life.

4 Comments

An Apple a day...

by Gotrhythm - 2023-07-29 16:40:55

If Apple watches had existed, and I had one, my SSS would have been diagnosed at least 10 years before I finally got my pacemaker. The challenge around diagnosing many of the arrythmias is that they only show up intermittantly, and aren't recognized until 'out of the blue' we do a face plant.

Of course, it's not really out of the blue. People have been feeling symptoms that come and go like yours did. So glad your problem was found and addressed. Welcome to the "Club"

I have a feeling that in the coming years as electronic heartrate trackers become more common, we will see more and more stories like yours.

No EKG

by AgentX86 - 2023-07-29 19:20:11

Wow!  That sounds like a malpractice suit just waiting for some ambulance chaser to trip over it.  EKGs are about the least expensive diagnostics going.  With your symptoms, it should have been automatic.  It's a good thing you were looking out for yourself. No one else was,

I'm not big on heart rate trackers but this is an exception.  Now, don't get fixated on your heart rate and the watch.  You'll drive yourself crazy. Now that you have a pacemaker, there is little interesting that the watch can do fo you.

 

Welcome aboard

by Lavender - 2023-07-29 19:41:28

Glad you were persistent and got your issues resolved!  God didn't let it slip by!

Sweet that your first post the other day was only 24 hours after getting your device! You're a pro-active kinda person and that's admirable! Be well! Be patient with the recovery! 🌷🪻

Agree with Agent86

by BradyJohn - 2023-07-29 21:16:12

I just offer an 'amen' to Agent86's comment about tracking your heart rate with an Apple Watch going forward.  I have a Garmin watch and it seems that the paced heart rate is harder for the devices to track accurately.  Mine was all over the place.  I threw my Garmin in the drawer just for peace of mind.  Peace of mind was almost immediate :-)

All the best going forward!

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.