About to get pacemaker

I am 72 years old, very physically active for health reasons and lifestyle (treadmill, weights, yoga, moderate hiking). I have had afib for about 5 years. Just taking coumadin to control blood INR. Based upon my last cardio exam and having a 24 hour holter, my cardiologist indicates my pulse rate at rest is quite low (mid 30s to mid 40s), and is recommending I get a pacemaker. I am completely and luckily unsymptomatic. The cardiologist has referred by to an ElectroPhysiologist for a second opinion. The cardiologist would rather see me get a pacemaker prior to some dangerous event which could arise from the low pulse rate. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet at some point soon.
I really don't want to permanently give up my gym and yoga if I can. Have any of you had any similar experience, or thought/comments you may want to offer to help ease my worry? Thanks, Greg

5 Comments

good luck

by harrisonb - 2008-10-07 01:10:23

it should be ok for you to continue doing what you are doing when you get the pacemaker, you can;t do any contact things like tackle football or hockey, but you can defienetly continue to work out and do yoga, i would even suggest to continue doing it as it is beneficial to the heart

good luck.

working out

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-07 06:10:24

Frank's advice is excellent, as always! There's no reason to think you won't be able to work out. If you train with weights, make sure the surgeon is aware of this so he can place the pm so that it doesn't get in your way. As harrisonb pointed out, contact sports aren't such a good idea for us but anything else is fine! I hike, do weights and the elliptical, rollerblade, tennis.

One more thought

by ElectricFrank - 2008-10-07 12:10:28

Recently, I discovered that people our age tend to become vitamin B12 deficient. Taking a multivitamin is no help because we lack an enzyme that is necessary for us to absorb it in the lower intestine.
What alerted me to it was a marginally low RBC on a blood test. The doctor passed it off as meaningless, but I have never had that sort of reading. I ordered some B12 patches on the internet and started using them with the idea of getting a follow up blood test. In the process I also ran across some articles about B12 affecting the nervous system. The bottom line is that I have found that over a 3 week period my memory is better, a lot of aches and pains have disappeared and interestingly my PVC's have nearly disappeared.

I don't want to give the idea that this is some miracle treatment. It will only help if you have a deficiency. For some political reason the docs don't like it. There is a test for it, but since B12 isn't toxic the easiest way to find out is just try it for a few weeks and see what happens. Keep in mind it has to be taken in patch or injectable form.

frank

Need pacemaker?

by ElectricFrank - 2008-10-07 12:10:52

Greg,
I'm 78 and also physically active. For me there was no question about the pacemaker. I developed AV block and my HR dropped to 40 with no response to exercise. Before getting the pacer it went down to 26 in the hospital, but I could still get up and walk around. Just felt lousy. This is one of the benefits of being in good shape. The average person will get light headed or pass out at such a low HR.
It sounds like your situation is a bit different in that your HR responds to exercise and you are unsymptomatic. Your low resting HR may just be the result of your physical condition. Most doctors aren't familiar with folks our age in good shape. It is just a matter of your risk tolerance as far as a decision is concerned. At one end of the spectrum some people will go for an implantable defibrillator (ICD) if there is anything the doc is unhappy with. Others, like me, tend to be more conservative about treatments. I have occasional afib and the doc wanted me on blood thinners, but I decided against it. Sure it might reduce my chance of a clot, but it also has other not so nice side effects. I also have decided against statins for chlorestoral for the same reason.

By the way I have had a pacer for about 4 years and it hasn't affected my lifestyle in any way. Last summer I went 4 wheel driving in Colorado at 13,000' and even hiked around up there. I use all sorts of power tools and electronic equipment with no problems. It shouldn't have any effect on your gym and yoga. I

If you do decide on a pacemaker,get back with me. I can give you some suggestions.

good luck,

frank

B12

by ElectricFrank - 2008-10-08 12:10:02

I'm not sure. I would seem to be though. Sublingual works by absorbtion in the tissue under the tongue so it is really an under the tongue patch.

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.