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If you could rename Heart Failure, what would you call it?  

No one likes the term “heart failure” since it implies a terminal condition.  Heart Failure sounds so final as though it is the end stage of all diseases related to the heart.  But is it always so final for those of us who have been given a diagnosis of heart failure when it may have a treatable or even reversible cause in some instances, especially if it is caught early?

Instead should we perhaps call it something like Heart weakness, Heart impairment or Hear...

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Electric car chargers and pacemakers

Hello, I read in The Sunday Times at the weekend that one day wireless car charging *plates in the ground* "may be commonplace".

I think this is something the pacemaker community needs to be aware of. As far as I know there is nothing to worry about with ordinary charges beside the road or in parking bays but wireless charging plates might be a different matter.

 

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Now I know why I had problems with Entresto! Gonna try it again....

Many of you know my issues with Entresto, I didn't exactly tolerate it well right away the first time. And you want to know why? Well... as it turns out, they forgot to tell me that I was supposed to stop taking my Losartin because you can't take both together! It's no wonder I had problems right away! So... with that said, I've decided to give it another go. I'll take the lowest dose, cut that in half and start there. Wish me LUCK everyone! I'm hoping that the Entrest...

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Angiogram Results

My cardiac doctor ordered a heart CT Scan for me which I had on April 1, 2024, after the pacer clinic accidentally turned my 100% pacer off during my yearly screening causing cardiac arrest again, and could not restart my pacer.  Trip to the ER who restarted my paver.

 

Angiogram Results:

1. There is stable prominence of the ascending aorta measuring approximately 4.3 cm in diameter.

2. There is a 2.4 cm nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid. A dedicated th...

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Cycling. movement and PM reaction

Hi there,

I am one month post PM insertion.  Female 57 years, active exerciser, cyclist, hiker and multiple sports player. I had unexpected bradycardia in January that had me down to 32 bpm at rest.  I struggled to get my HR over 70 under exertion. Climbing stairs had me winded and light-headed.

I have been cycling indoors (low impact, no hills) to get back into cycling shape before I head outdoors.  My PM settings are 50 - 130 bpm. Recovery has been going well unti...

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Pacing

Hi, 

I got a message after my quarterly download that I am pacing 100% BIV.  No explanation.  What does it mean?  Is it OK?  Should I be worried:?

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Gut Microbiome

We’ve talked about diet quite a bit recently on this forum, so I apologise for bringing it up again but there’s a lot of information being passed on to consumers (and patients) re: improving our gut microbiome and how we should aim to eat 30 different plant based food items p/week for various reasons. Reasons include: the impact on the environment, our intestinal health, to improve our immune system, reduce inflammation and for the prevention of diseases - e.g. gastrointestinal di...

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Pacing rate change/rate response

Hi

i noticed from my last visit that my atrial pacing percentage has changed:

1-9-23 atrial pacing: 35%

3-27-24 atrial pacing: 59.8%
 

my ventricle paces 100% of the time and I'm pretty sure always has since I had a pacemaker.

i have complete heart block. 

the EP was explaining to me that my heart works fine but what doesn't work is the connection area (forget the term) where the atrial speaks to the ventricle to relay the beats etc....

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You should check your " health portal" after your visit for those in the US

I do not know if those out of the US have the same options.  I know that after i see the doctor or have tests.  Do check my patient portal.  Why because sometimes they do not put the right information in my records.   Supposely if you are ever in the hospital they  check your records.

Why you ask, one time after seeing the cardilogist looked an they had written my blood pressure as 274/.  I wrote them and it was corrected immediately.  Another tim...

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Why no test for "ischemic heart disease" after PM?

This issue came up because my older sister had a stroke recently.  She is doing well in rehab and may escape any long term effects, but her doctor was asking her about the family cardiac history and she asked me to give her specifics about my problems that led to getting the PM.

So I looked at my hospital records from 2021.  I came across this note from the doctor who did the PM, "recommended consideration for ischemic heart disease or cardiac sarcoidosis." 

...

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Cardiac rehab a resounding no

This is a subject that comes up a lot with me; and for MANY reasons, I can't do that. No cardiac rehab for me. I won't go into all of the "why"... Let me just simply say that cardiac rehab is NOT going to happen. So I know many of you have suggested it and rather than spell it all out, which would take awhile, I feel like that isn't necessary. It's off the table and unless I move, which isn't even a possibility as far as I'm concerned, I won't ever be doi...

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Lead Extraction Experiences Please!

Hi everyone - I am getting this in June - and would love to hear people's experiences good and bad, and any tips or things to be aware of.  Curious about healing time vs just having a lead thrown in as well.  I am going leadless so will not have that issue. Thanks so much!

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Ablation, atrial flutter, and exercise

The last thing I requested before my atrial flutter ablation general anaesthetic  6 weeks ago was,"Please, don't fiddle with my pacemaker settings, leave them as you find them". Did they? No. 

I have had a month of tachycardias and shortness of breath on even light exercise such as a flight of stairs. Fed up, I contacted my pacemaker clinic and they had me back.  The test of two flight of stairs nearly had me with the crash team. I really could not breath at...

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working in mining as dump truck driver

hi guys,

I had heart block problem before and got the bypass surgery for it and I've got pacemaker in it already in my left chest.

Before I have heart attacked and bypass surgery, I am very active person when I am working ( I work as gas cylinder filler, so yeah its hard work) and I did outdoor sport activity like running,fishing,swimming.

4 month after heart surgery and pacemaker inserted in my left chest I feel normal again just like before.

Now the question is,...

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Electrical shocking after Pacemaker Instal

Not sure who to talk on this.  But right after I got my 2 lead pacemaker installed, I started have these electrical charges start at the heart or right at the pacemker.  The charges goes across my body and then down to the bottom of my hips or all the way to my feet.  My fingers tingle and I have problems making my fingers move correctly or hold on to something in my hand.  I feel these electrics shocks many times an hour.  It is especially hard electrics shock w...

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Heart muscle aches after moderate activity

EDIT: Here's an article I just read that might explain what I'm trying to say about feeling pain IN your hear muscle.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0735109790903772#:~:text=Thus%2C%20patients%20who%20have%20chest,perception%20of%20ischemia%2Dinduced%20pain.

 

Yesterday I felt really good and energetic so I did multiple chores around the house and walked a bit too. At the end of the day, I still felt fine, but pretty tired. This has happened b...

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1st time

Hiya, I am GinaM fron UK.. 52 yrs old. I had a dual chamber ipacemaker nserted on Tuesday.for inermittent  high degree AV block. Still feel sore & fragile. How long did it take for the soreness to ease up. Also did anyone go back to work a week after the surgey? Newbie with questions

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Tattoos

I have a pacemaker/Defibrillator (ICD). I would like to get a few small tattoos on opposite arm not on incision site. Doc is worried about an infection from the needles. Anyone ever hear of someone getting an infection at ICD site this way??

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yearly cardiologist visit

Said see me next year.  Blood pressure was good 124/74. Heart rate 69.  Nurse did EKG all good.  Then the doctor came in listened with stephscope all good.  Then she wrote down what i have and what i should take. The same thing every year.

Blood thinner(asperin) told her no thanks, for A Fib, Beta Blocker for VT(bottom part of the heart speeds up.  Only 1 episode last quarter for 22 seconds.

Mild Carotid Blockage( statin)

Aortic Stenosis.

...

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Abbott biventicular pacer

I am due for replacement.  This unit lasted 4 and 1/2 years, 100 percent paced.  Low HR setting is 60.  Yesterday I noticed my heart rate at rest was 55 and stayed constant while at rest.  I called the pacemaker clinic.  I got a call back from the pacemaker tech who said he had to call Abbott technical to find out.  They told him when the pacemaker went into elective replacement they lower the threshold to 55 to conserve battery life until replacement.  Firs...

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You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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