Advice Needed

Greetings everyone,

My father was told today that he may need to have a pacemaker implanted within the next few days. He has yet to have the official diagnosis from his cardiologist - has an appointment in the morning - but the docs at the ER in the hospital are advising that he get the pacemaker.

My father has had a long history with high blood pressure and palpitations/irregular rhythms. He is on meds for the high blood pressure and doing regular stress tests which have been good, but not great. He has had low pulse rates in the past but nothing lower than the 40s. Today he was eating lunch when he got sweaty and pale. He got to the ER and his pulse was in the low 30s. While he was waiting to be admitted his heart stalled for 7 seconds and then he had pulse rates in the 100s.

So, I have now been charged with gathering research.

What sort of questions should he be asking?
What should we be aware of?
Is getting the PM a good idea/overkill?

Please forgive my ignorance and naiveté in this matter. We are a little anxious at this point and want to get as much information as we can so that he can be a "educated" patient. We are, of course, aware that we should wait until he meets with the cardiologist and receives the official diagnosis first. This may be moot, but with the history of heart disease in my father's family and all the trouble he personally has had most of his adult life with his ticker, a PM at some point is a real possibility.

Reading posting on this site, I am touched by the amount of support and understand you offer each other. Any thoughts/suggestions you would like to share would be very appreciated.

Thank you,
Stephen

8 Comments

Comments

by ElectricFrank - 2008-02-05 01:02:11

The long standing problems your father has had with palpitations/irregular rhythms make him a good candidate for a pacer. Heart rates as low as even 40 in someone his age is not a good thing. It results in low oxygenation of all of his body tissue and can cause deterioration in organ function. His experience was similar to mine. My HR dropped to 40 and then slowly went on down to 26 before the pacer was turned on. Even though I was 74 at the time I was in good shape so I managed to do fairly well at that HR, but I sure didn't feel very good.
One possibility of a cause for the recent event could be a virus infection. I personally know several people who have had this sort of problem. They eventually recovered without a pacer, but they didn't have pre-existing heart rhythm problems and were a lot younger.
Take it from me a pacer is a very welcome friend when it is needed.
frank

Father Getting A Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2008-02-05 01:02:25

Hi Stephen,

I'm sure you will get lots of comments and some advice for your inquiry. My advice is for your father to rely totally on his doctor's word on this subject. I will say that some of the symptoms you list for your father are classic for many people getting a pacemaker. The PM should very definitely help the low heart rate. And no I do not think it is an overkill.

As for questions, the one I hope your father can get answered is an in depth description of what this pacemaker will do and how it will do those things. Pacemakers are wonderful little life savers, but are often totally misunderstood. He can get all sorts of answers and explanations on the operation of his pacemaker here, but we are all guessing and we know that. The doctor doesn't have to guess as he knows the device and knows how it will interact with your father's heart.

I will add one more thing and stop. Many of us leave the hospital after getting a pacemaker thinking "I now have a pacemaker and it is going to make my heart beat at the optimum rate all the time." That is not entirely true as a pacemaker is usually only a heart assist device. Your father's heart has a natural pacemaker that will continue to make his heart beat as it should most of the time and the manmade pacemaker will step in and help only when that pacemaker is acting up or out of sorts.

I was 71 when I got my pacemaker almost 8 years ago and I was back to my normal activity in about three days. Of course I was not lifting any heavy object for a couple of weeks but I try to avoid that whenever possible anyway.

I wish him the best.

Smitty

YES HE NEEDS A PACEMAKER

by peter - 2008-02-05 03:02:44

Yes I think it is the right decision to go for the pacemaker. He is likely to benefit greatly from having one. Relax it will be fine I am sure. Cheers Peter

Up to the doc!

by rdelvis07 - 2008-02-05 04:02:56

Hey Stephen, and welcome to the pm club! Im a 21 year old female, just got my pm in Jan. Sounds to me your father needs a pm. BUT I didnt go to school to tell you that so I would totally realy on what the Doctor has to say as well as your dad. I believe your dad will know what is right for him after he talks to the doc. I sure did! Being so young, well dealing with a pm implant at any age can be stressful! So get as much information on it as possible and share that with your dad! PLUS u have came to the right place! These people have helped me out soooo much! Tell ur dad I wish you all the best of luck! He will be just fine! God never gives us more then we can handle! Rachel

Welcome

by bini - 2008-02-05 08:02:54

First I want to say welcome to the pacemaker club, this is a wonderful site with so many helpful people!

Like everyone has mentioned before, I would have him follow what his cardio tells him. If the cardio does suggest a PM, make sure all your dads questions are answered in full.

I know my PM has been wonderful for me, relieved many of my symtoms, like fatigue, dizzy spells.
I am 31 years old and got my PM in June, before it was implanted I was so nervous....I almost wanted to back out the day of the procedure! Now I am so glad I have it!

Christine

Listen to the Dr

by winesap - 2008-02-05 09:02:53

My symptoms were somewhat similar to your dad's. I got a PM exactly 2 months ago today and have been feeling fantastic since. The surgery was in the morning and I was walking in the afternoon. I was working again in less than a week (desk work).

Welcome

by NH - 2008-02-05 12:02:06

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club and a wonderful support group.

I also have the "classic symptoms" and was a good candidate for a PM. Please follow the cardiologist's advice.

For me, the PM saved my life and is wonderful. I would have been an invalid at best, if I had not gotten it.

I now have my 2nd one implanted as the battery on my 1st ran out and it had to be changed. It has been a challenge to get my strenght and stamina back, but it is getting much better after several months.

Take care,
NH

Thank you all!

by Scooter - 2008-02-06 12:02:06

Both my father and I are overwhelmed by the response to my question. Thank you for your support and kind words. The cardio met with my dad and wanted to do some tests to make sure the abnormal beat rates were not being caused by blockage or something. *I neglected to mention in my earlier post that my father has had two angioplastic procedures and has stints in two arteries.

After the stress test and photos, the doc found no blockage and has given the order for a PM.

So, my dad is having the operation tomorrow morning. Judging by all of your responses, this will be a relatively routine procedure but will benefit him tremendously.

I have shared this site with him (as well as all of your thoughts and advice) and he will be joining the club as soon as he gets back on the computer so look for him soon.

Thank you again! Many hopes for continued health for all!!!

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