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EJECTION FRACTION

I have had a pacemaker since I was 38, now 69. I have had 3 pacemakers and now 3 ICD, due to a v tach 10 years ago. I had a echo done in May this year, my ef was 43, had one last week 37. Iam now scheduled to have bi-ventricular on installed. Dr. said it was caused by having a pm for a long time, I am dependent. I am worried about all of this, should I be? Anyone else similar problem? What to expect

 

Thank you

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Drugs

A question for the gang.  Many here take all types of drugs - ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, etc.  If one takes, say, coreg on a daily basis and this persons BP is under control ( 110/65 with a 77 pulse) and this person experiences "lightheadedness/dizziness"  what other component in the drug may be causing this issue?

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New to the Pacemaker Club

The information I have read on this site has been really helpful to me in my rocovery. I had no idea that there was a "Pacemaker Club".

Due to Sick Sinus Syndrome, my natural pacemaker was failing, I recently had a PM implanted on 2/6/19. Today, was my 2 week anniversary. I am feeling remarkably good today.

The first week after my procedure was pretty brutal. I was in a lot of pain and was advised by the nurse to take Tylenol or Aleve. Since I wasn't put on a blood t...

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Ventricular Trachycardia

Hi Everyone.  I had my yearly checkup today and found out I had an attack of ventricular trachycardia two weeks ago.  Other than that, everything was good.  I felt the attack and thought it was a couple of missed heartbeats but, apparently, it was a 9 second attack with my heart beating at 230 beats per minute.  The cardiologist on call at the clinic prescribed a 5mg beta blocker and I am seeing my regular cardiologist tomorrow to, I suspect, begin a series of tests to fin...

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Working Out

it's been 9 days since I had My device implanted. I want to start back working out. for those of us that's into fitness..any suggestings? 

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Pacemaker

I had a pace and ablate done last December, but a side effect is heart failure.  I have been given furosemide 40mg and amiloride 5mg. and told to reduce my fluids and increase the fursomide to 80mg if needed. Although I am doing this and my breathlessness is less I am no better than when I started two years ago.  The damage done to the muscle in the left ventricle from high bloodpressure means that it is thickend and is not pumping efficiently.  Do accept what I have or is it w...

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replace pacemaker

Hi,  Not sure if I want another pacemaker after my current one runs out.  I should have 6 years of life left on it and that will take me to 70.  I had a complete heartblock do to Sacrodosis which has gotten better yet left me with a lot of scarring.  I would like to see if I can finish my life without one, should I try to let it go in end of life mode and see how I do? Anyone out there made this decision?

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Tiredness

Hi, havent been here for quite a long time. I am 63, had a Medtronic for 9 years and got a replacement of St.Jude 2 years ago. There is one thing which bothers me:

After the new pm I have been sort of tired and my activity has clearly decreased. Have been in the gym every now and then but it does not feel good and visits are very rare now.

I wonder could the reason for tiredness be that the limit for the HR was set to 50 in operation instead of earlier 55?

When I noticed in...

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VT Episode with Pacemaker

Hello,

I got a pacemaker in Nov 2017. Recently I was told that I had 2 monotired VT episodes. Not sure what that means and if anyone else has eperienced this. Please do let me know.

Thanks,

Champak Chidambaram

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ICD lead threshold increase - Cardiac Sarcoid

Just got back from the cardiologist.   He interogated my newly implanted biventricular ICD ( Nov 8, 2018) and noted and increase in RV threshold voltage from 1.5 to 2.0V.   What would cause this?  He told me to discuss it with the doctor treating my Sarcoid.   I was diagnosed with Cardiac Sarcoid in 2013 and have had an ICD since then.  Could this be an indication of increased sarcoid activity in my heart?   I have been on prednisone, tappered from 20 t...

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Medtronic recall

Has anyone on here been affected by latest Medtronic recall?  Concerns programming error 

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New member

 Hello.  I'm a new member who received my pacemaker unexpectedly 6 days ago.  I have sutures that I know I can't get wet.  I don't see the specialist  until the 28th.  Have been taking sponge baths but not sure how to wash my hair.  Any suggestions? 

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Replacement

Hi everyone,

i have 0 to 3 months for replacement , after this I was told there is two months built in:

when willthe insurance company approve it?

an amo Robyn was used, R—?

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Are these too extreme...

Hi all, just joined the club (though I have been eligible since 1981). I know both of these topics have come up before but was wondering if there were any updates ...

1) scuba diving - we are going on holiday next week and I would really like to do an introductory dive. Any advice? 

2) skydiving - have always wanted to do this;my only concern is impact on the site when the ripcord is pulled. Has anyone done it (and did they use padding)?

All and any feedback gratefully...

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ICD and Amateur Radio distance

  • by AB55
  • 2019-02-18 11:40:36
  • ICDs
  • 68 views
  • 4 comments

Hi,
A member of the family who is 80 is about to have an ICD fitted.

I noticed that the leaflet we have from the hospital mentions HAM/Amateur radio as 'special consideration - maintain 2 feet/60cm from ICD' 

I assume that it means the distance from the antenna and not the radio itself but does anyone know for sure?
He will typically sit pretty close to the radio, probably 1 foot away, but the antenna is half way down the back garden essentially in a tree ab...

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My cardio messenger

Is my phone interfering (spelling not my strong suit) with my cardio messenger? Am I supposed to keep them a certain distance away from each other. Does that mean using my phone is blocking messenger from connecting with my doctor?

Also I had a weird 10 second thing my heart started beating really fast. I obviously noticed and tried to Pace my breathing, and it slowed but isn't the pacemaker soposed to keep that from happening?

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Is it normal?

Is it normal to feel little electric shocks every now and then? Will I get used to it. It's still a little alarming.

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Swimming

It's been 35 days since my PM placement. I want to know if I can submerge myself in water? Or if I should wait and keep the scar dry...?

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Apple Watch Series 4 EKG technology recognizes pacing!

I wanted to share some interesting news. A few months ago Apple released it's EKG feature on it's series 4 watch. This feature consists of single lead EKG capabilities. Both myself and my electrophysiologist have been amazed with how advanced this technology has been. Since recieveing my ppm I realized this watch can pick up on both atrial and ventricular pacing spikes. It's helped me correlate my symptoms to my new pacer. I was able to figure out I was feeling "deep palpitat...

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PVC's - How Many is too Many?

I'm eight weeks post implant for complete heart block. HIS bundle lead 100% paced. One month device check had 35,000 PVC's. Went in for a check at two months and had over 300,000 in one month. Had the check because I was having a feeling of tightness at the base of my neck-don't know if there is a correlation. No one seemed alarmed at the number. I'm feeling a little unsure about the whole thing. I understand that everyone has PVC's but that seems like a big jump. Anyone e...

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