Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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Pacemaker 100%

I received a pacemaker 5 years ago at age 70. I had about 4 fainting spells prior to the pacemaker. After receiving the pacemaker I had no change in my lifestyle. I am a land surveyor and still work everyday and do quite a bit of walking. Went for a pacemaker check this past Wednesday and the doctor told be the pacemaker was working 100%. I was told originally the pacemaker would just keep my heartrate from dropping below 60. I had a heart cath last year with 2 stents. Have to go next week to...

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SSS

I am one week post op of getting my PM.  My hospital (IU Health) has a patient portal where I can view test results,  summaries,  etc.  I had my first Appointment Monday at the Pacemaker clinic and with My Dr's Nurse practioner.   I was curious and went searching on the summary of Her Notes.  Farther down I saw Dr Kilra's notes of his diagnosis.... SSS.   Before my Pacemaker surgery the Attending Dr (i had went to the ER for slow...

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Latest Heart Failure Medication Recommendations

I am 34 yrs old and have heart failure (EF 35-40%) and ventricular arrhythmias (post ablation and left sympathetic denervation surgery).  I have a CRT-D (my 5th defibrillator/pacemaker) and complete heart block, with a history of clots (PE).  I was taking carvedilol, lisinopril and warafin for several years.

Last year, I went to Mayo Clinic Rochester for a second opinion and have since locally transfered my EP and Heart Failure cardiolog...

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AV block Progression.

14 months ago, I was diagnosed with type II AV block and had my pacemaker fitted.  At my first check-up six weeks later, I was being paced 17 % of the time in my right ventricle.  I had a check-up today, and I am now pacing over 70% of the time, so I now have stage 3 block, which frightens the life out of me.  I know that my PM will take care of it, but battery life will be reduced (8.5 years left) and if anything goes wrong, I'll be in big trouble.

I know this really...

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New to the Forum

Hello,

My name is Chuck I am 63yrs Retired and I have been diagnosed with Coronary artery disease, Afib, and Left bundle branch block I had a stent put in 12yrs ago they just checked that and it is still good to go. now they are talking a PM with a defib unit. How is it to live with one of these units?

 

Chuck

 

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Vitamin B complex

I just recently had PM surgery on October 19th.   On my discharge orders my Attending Dr at the hospital had... "Stop taking vitamin b complex "   i don't understand why.  I am asking here to get others perspective on this.  I wven asked my Cousin who is a Cardiac Nurse...and She wasn't even sure.  She thought it would be the other way around.   I'm hoping it was just a typo on my Discharge papers.   

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Restrictive cardiomyopathy and odd pacemaker behaviour

So, I went for the first stage of a heart transplant assessment on Tuesday -- mostly tests I'd had before (chest X-ray, ECG, ultrasound) but also an exercise test wired up to an ECG and monitoring breathing and blood pressure and oxygen sats.

As expected, my results showed (quoting the tech) 'you're rubbish at excercise'. Not really a surprise as persistent breathlessness and inability to exercise are why they're considering me for a hear transplant.

However, d...

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Diet

Before my PM was instated in June 2020, I was given repeat potassium level labs. My potassium was too high. The potassium lab in  August had finally reached normal value. During these lab elevations, I  changed my diet; cut out all the high potassium foods. My cardiologist visit  this month was good; he said not to worry about any diet restrictions so much. This was nice, but vague. Do other people have to  limit high potassium fruits and vegetables? Do other pts. have a h...

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Beta Blockers

I had a PM inserted in June for a sick sinus node. I am thinking perhaps a beta blocker will slow my rate to lower than the set rate of 70 continuously and then I won't have any PACs, which are very unsettling. However, I am not sure of this logic.  Beta blockers do make me tired.  

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HIS-Purkinje Conduction System failure

Hi everyone, I got my Medronic's PM about 8 weeks ago. I have probably been having SVT for years but it was never caught on an ECG. Last April after a day of hiking my HR went up to 158. I was just going to bed and wasn't sure what to do about it. My FitBit caught it and I tested it with BP cuff. it was the same - stayed up for over an hour. I was becoming very anxious as it seemed like a long time for the heart to be beating that fast. They gave me adenosine, which brought it down ri...

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HEART FAILURE

I JUST VISITED MY HEART SURGEON AND HE SAID MY PACEMAKER IS WORKING FINE BUT THE SYMPTOMS I'VE BEEN HAVING FOR 1 MONTH INDICATE I'M IN HEART FAILURE AGAIN.  I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN CA. FOR THE WINTER AND SINCE COMING BACK EAST I HAVE BEEN IN TACHYCARDIA AND BRADYCARDIA AND PULSE RATE UP TO 114..  I THOUGHT THE PACEMAKER TOOK CARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS IS WHY I GOT THE PACEMAKER IN THE FIRST PLACE.  SINCE COMING BACK, I HAVE A NEW CARDIOLOGIST I SEE IN A WEEK'S...

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MRI with percepta CRT-P

hi all,

i am scheduled for an MRI of left shoulder in a few weeks.  i have a Percepta Sure Scan CRT-P.  Has anyone heard of any problems?  i am told that it is safe but need to check with this forum.  thanks.  h

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Device Detected Afib - Blood Thinners

I have had my Medtronics 2 lead pacemaker for third degree heart block for 3 years.  I have also had two ablations for atrial flutter.  My pacemaker is now detecting small amounts of afib; less than 0.1% of the time, but rare episodes of an hour or so.  My doctor now wants me to take Eliquis because of the threat of a blood clot and stroke.  I am resisting because of the small amount of afib and the risk of this new family of blood thinners and law suits for excessive blee...

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Still having symptoms

I've had my PM for almost a year to treat bradycardia.  At my 3-month check-up, they adjusted my pacer to a slightly higher threshold for day time because I still felt syncope symptoms coming on (dejavu feeling, tingling in arms, nausea).  My doctor suggested putting me on beta-blockers as well, depsite the fact that the drug slows heart rates - this made me nervous so I declined and decided to see how the PM adjustment would go.  Well, I'm still having symptoms, even w...

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SSS/ vasovagal syncope without atrial lead attached

Hi,

This may be a bit long so please bear with me. Does any one have expertise with Sick Sinus Syndrome, sinus pause and vasovagal syncope without the atrial lead hooked up?

i got my third pacemaker implanted 3 weeks ago, I'm 34 years old. The plan was to get the new PM along with remove the old leads. The old leads had been in 15 years and we knew at least the atrial lead was very damaged. When the surgeons got in there it turned out it was much more complicated than they exp...

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Blood pressure

I posted yesterday about my HR being changed on my 90 day review from 60 to 70.  I had already been having what I thought was the most common form of syncope, though I hadn’t yet fainted I feel like I’m going too when I get up from my recliner just about every time and it seemed more prevelent after the change in HR.  Everything else has seemed to be better with the change to 70....I’’ve had more energy and my legs felt less fatigued.

I had a good...

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Post Pacemaker Placement Medications

I would like to know what medications have been prescribed for pacemaker recipients folowing surgery. My condition for the implant is sick sinus syndrome. Currently I am taking metoprolol 25mg daily.  Will there be other, perhaps more effective, meds prescribed later.  Pre-pacemaker symptoms have not occurred.

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Beta Blockers

Dual chamber PM for last 10yrs.   last phone download shows periods of complex tachy (100bpm+)   Cardio advising  Beta Blockers .   My normal rates  106 to 130 over 73 to 90 pulse 68 to 78 .   No other indications on high pulse,   Anyone else ???

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ICD implanted to treat my beta blocker?

When hospitalized in October, 2019 with CHF (EF of 23) my new cardiologist put me on a beta blocker and a direutic.  When I passed out on a Zoom call in April, 2020 with a heart rate of 22; it was suggested afterwards in the ER that I have a defribulator implanted and then get back to taking the meds.   Otherwise I am asymtomatic; no edema, no shortness of breath when walking 3 miles, no chest pains and no coronary blockages on my angiogrm.  63 year old male type 1 di...

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New to this

Hello, got my pacemaker Aug 3rd. After wearing a monitor for 2 days. Found out when I was sleeping my heart was stopping. 18 times in 2 nights. Longest was 9.3 seconds. Doc said if it was during the day I would have passed out. The doctor contacted me at 930 at night & got pacemaker installed 3 days later. Didn't have a chance to get a second opinion. As I was prepped for surgery I asked the doctor what would cause it to stop. He said sleep apnea is a possible cause. SO SHOULDN'T...

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Member Quotes

My pacemaker is the best thing that every happened to me, had I not got it I would not be here today.