have a surgery coming up in two weeks under general anesthesia and just had some heart palpitations and went to a&e.

[Vivibeatris]

at emergency they told me I have a first degree heart block and also found a sinus pause of 2.5 seconds. Will I still be able to go ahead with the surgery and general anesthesia? Really scared now that I will die on the table!

[Happyrosie]

you will mention this at the pre-op assessment, if you are still to have this. If you’ve already one then, I think you will have been given some indication of who to contact to discuss - certainly my husband was given contact details before his op so that he could let me know of any changes to health.

[Vivibeatris in reply to Happyrosie]

so did your husband have the opp in the end?

[Happyrosie in reply to Vivibeatris]

Yes, but he didn’t have your issue. I just mention this because I know he was shown who to contact if necessary in what circumstances.

[Silvertail]

They don't seem to worry about 1st degree block, I have it and Left Bundle Branch Block as well as left axis deviation. It's just noted on my records and never mentioned. Re your surgery they will take your health problems into consideration and take extra care of you. Best wishes for a great outcome.

[Jedi14]

Beware of what you say and think! I personally know of a friend who had a similar outcome. Did not survive the Heart op!!!

Remember that you have the best technology and best trained staff taking care of you, all you need to do, is to have some loving people around you post op.

Best of luck.

[Vivibeatris in reply to Jedi14]

I am not having any heart op !

[Blackwolf_7619 in reply to Jedi14]

This probably isn't the best thing to say to someone who is obviously terrified about not surviving this.

Vivibeatris everyone is different and thoer health needs individual. Please talk to your surgeon and anaesthetist about your worries.

Best wishes

[mornhill]

Are you having an operation or not! Could you not have rung the hospital or your doctor rather than go to A & E?

[Bahookiemonster in reply to mornhill]

You're such a wee ray of sunshine. You're replying to someone who's clearly scared. And giving them the third-degree isn't going to help.

[Blackwolf_7619 in reply to mornhill]

Actually A&E seems like it was the best choice bealxause they found out that there is an issue that needs addressing! I don't understand why you only mentioned which healthcare route they went down instead of concern for this person

[Vivibeatris]

i am having an unrelated surgery yes. I dont want to ring my surgeron since we dont know for sure what it is yet. I am with a private cardiologist now who is doing testing

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I have had a heart transplant and a few months ago I needed major bowel surgery, everything went ahead as planned and was successful, they used a specialist anaesthetist as that was the most crucial part. I spoke to him at pre op and he put my mind at ease. I would definitely contact the hospital that is doing your surgery and let them know as soon as you can, it will give them time to check your A&E file and put any measures they need in to place. Take care and I hope your operation goes well. Char

[Vivibeatris in reply to Thanksnhs]

I see. So a normal anesthesiologist wouldn't be good enough in such a situation? I guess a heart transplant is a way more complex context though. But for arhytmia and bradycardia wouldn't a normal anesthesiologist be able to handle it?

[Thanksnhs in reply to Vivibeatris]

The hospital would take everything into consideration before deciding what is the best way to proceed with the operation. I am sure once you have contacted them they will explain exactly what will happen. Char

[Vivibeatris in reply to Thanksnhs]

Yes will contact them as soon as I get my results from my cardiologist. Dont want to panic them now before knowing facts. Will see them on Monday and tell them then

[Thanksnhs in reply to Vivibeatris]

I hope it goes well, keep me posted. Char

[Qualipop]

Have you had your pre op yet? That will be the anaesthetist's decision. Depending on what operation you're having there can be ways to do it without a general anaesthetic. My mum had heart failure and couldn't have a general so she had a hip replacement done by epidural. Just make sure at your pre op that they are aware of the diagnosis. I'm presently being assessed to see whether I can have a double cataract op under a general anaesthetic because I can't lie on my back without them knocking me out.

[Vivibeatris in reply to Qualipop]

I had my pre op already and this was found our after the pre op! So I went to a private cardiologist to do testing and hve a meeting with the anesthesiologist early next week to tell her about this recent finding... that gives me 3 days only between when I see her and the surgery for her to make any adjustments

[Qualipop in reply to Vivibeatris]

That should be fine. I hope it doesn't get delayed.

[bluemoon572]

You may have a sick sinus node in addition to the mild conduction problem ( first degree AV block). A cardiologist will have to evaluate you and this will involve wearing an outpatient cardiac monitor. If no other sinus pauses are noted,I assume you'll get the ok for surgery. Perhaps a temporary pacemaker can be applied during surgery as a standby measure.

[Vivibeatris in reply to bluemoon572]

Yeah I am having the 3 day holter monitor on me as we speak. Do you think I need a specialist anesthesiologist in case they want to use the pacemaker? I only have 3 days between seeing anesthesiologist and surgery to sort this out that's the problem

[bluemoon572 in reply to Vivibeatris]

It's customary for the consulting cardiologist to dictate his/her recommendations in preparation for surgery and the PCP and the anesthesiologist will review & acknowledge these recommendations. A temporary standby pacemaker is an external device. If needed the regular anesthesiologist will collaborate with the consulting cardiologist. I'm sure you'll be in very good hands.

[Dragonfish]

Hi I believe 1 st degree heart block is the mildest form of interruption to the electrical signal in the atrial node, and can go away by itself. Also a sinus pause of 2.5 seconds ( ie a gap between beats) can be unnoticed. I was having many sinus pauses of up to 5 seconds and just felt mildly woozy for a few moments. I do not think your condition is life threatening,from what I have read and discussed with my cardiologist but please discuss with your team, prior to your procedure. I ended up needing a pacemaker fitted but they will probably monitor you first if they feel it is a significant heart problem . Hope this reassures you. Good luck with the op.

[Vivibeatris in reply to Dragonfish]

Thanks so much. The cardiologist monitoring me now thinks similarly so far. The doctors at thr hospital emergency department thought it's really serious and potentially will have to cancel my upcoming surgery. However the cardio thought thats innacurate but we are waiting for th e 3 day monitor results

[Vivibeatris in reply to Vivibeatris]

In emergency they were saying 2.5 s pause could kill me during anesthesia