Pacemakers

[jedimasterlincoln]

Has anyone here had a pacemaker for AF? What was the reasoning behind it?

[bushy2016]

hi...yes 1 fitted in July..and node ablated...had it done as they couldnt control the AF after 3 ablations

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to bushy2016]

And was that because the AF was there, or because of low/high Heart rate or both?

[bushy2016 in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

both...or should I say all 3!!!

[Buffafly]

I don't have a pacemaker but if my AF became too troublesome I would have to have one because I cannot take more than a low dose of Diltiazem (mild tachybrady syndrome) or Flecainide/Propafenone. I could have another ablation but it is more dangerous for me (ditto CV) because of comorbities and my cardiologist doesn't recommend it. I'm comfortable with the idea but then I'm nearly 74......

[Jane921]

I needed a pacemaker fitted in February 2014 in order to continue medicating my Afib. I have been on Sotalol since 2011, which generally keeps my Afib well controlled. In early 2014, my heart rate was dropping dangerously low, in fact, my cardiologist said that without a pacemaker I was at risk of sudden cardiac death. He sent me to an electophysiologist who agreed. I have had the pacemaker since then with no problems. I’m in California.

[goldey]

It's been 6 months since I had a pacemaker & ICD inserted. I went to the Emergency at 4 in the morning because I was having trouble breathing and stabbing pain between my shoulder blades -- NO heart pain. After getting to the ER I had a cardiac arrest, I was totally out of it, and was told the next day that I actually had 4 cardiac arrests, each time restarted by shock. The last one caused me to fall down face first & bite my lip and was I bleeding all over the place. Because of all that, I guess they figured enough was enough and they put in a temporary pacemaker. Then the next day they discussed a permanent one and I told them to go ahead. On my first visit with the specialist a few weeks later I was told that the pacemaker was working 28% of the time, which is quite high. But I don't actually feel anything wrong, I don't feel any AFib, but I must be having it. But the pacemaker is taking care of my heart and helping it to meet the demand. I feel very comforted that I have it, I feel that I don't have to worry about cardiac arrests now. I am still not back to the energy I had before, still weak, unable to do much. But I am sure grateful for the pacemaker.