Pacemaker due to pauses in heart beat

[Tux18]

Have any of you been given a pacemaker due to pauses in heart beats? I have had pauses when going in or out of rhythm. Recently had pause while in sinus rhythm. Cardiologist recommending pacemaker. Wondering if any of you have had pacemaker for this and how your recovery went. Thank you

[CDreamer]

Firstly you must inform DVLA - if you haven’t already. Has your doctor told you that you must not drive?

Recovery is straightforward - it’s a day procedure under a local anaesthetic so in and out in a day and you will need a day or so to rest. No lifting of arm above shoulder for 4-6 weeks and not worth cheating as your PM wires need that time to embed and you won’t be wanting to go back for a revision. No driving for 6 weeks or until you have had your first PM check - tends to vary.

No exercise involving upper body for 4-6 weeks. Otherwise life as normal - only better!

[cindyrella in reply to CDreamer]

That is very good advice and exactly what you must do in order to heal!

[Padayn01]

What's the difference between skipped and paused beat?

[Tux18 in reply to Padayn01]

I don’t know the difference. My cardiologist always says I have pauses. Good question.

[Padayn01 in reply to Tux18]

Cause i get skipped beats, well i think they are skipped be interesting to find out if they are pauses, may i ask how frequent where the pauses?

[Tux18 in reply to Padayn01]

They are rare maybe 2-4 a year always four seconds or less over the past couple of years. But was told it was to be expected at times going in and out of afib. But now have had one when not in Afib. and it was only 4 seconds.

[Lilypocket in reply to Padayn01]

Pauses in the sinus node show up in an ECG and look different to ectopics. If I understand ectopics are premature beats and pauses are no beat for a split or even a few seconds which is why they and not ectopics (which technically aren't skipped but premature beats) can cause more serious issues. X

[Buffafly in reply to Padayn01]

A pause would be longer than one skipped beat but not usually considered significant unless 3 secs or longer as far as I know. I have had 4/5 second pauses and felt as if I was going to pass out.

[Padayn01 in reply to Buffafly]

Oh no 3/4 sec that must be horrible, do you still have them pauses?

[Buffafly in reply to Padayn01]

I don't think so although I have had a few 'funny turns' but didn't catch a pause. I had to stop taking medication or else have a pacemaker so now I have the lowest dose of Diltiazem and can't take pill in pocket. The pacemaker is on hold.

[Lilypocket in reply to Buffafly]

Hi

Are you considering a pacemaker ...4 seconds is quite long 😳 x

[Buffafly in reply to Lilypocket]

My cardiologist ordered a 7 day holter monitor which showed lots of AF but no pauses or extreme SSS. So he said as long as I could manage with the AF without medication I didn't need a pacemaker. I'd quite like to have pace and ablate because although I didn't notice the AF the holter picked up (maybe at night?) I have had a few long symptomatic episodes since then and I would like to be able to take a PIP. But not something you can choose unless offered unfortunately. I can never understand the people who will do anything to avoid p&a - one ablation was enough for me! I believe in some areas they are saying you can't have more than three cardioversions, any further treatment must be via pacemaker (I think I've got that right) and stay in AF permanently.

[Lilypocket in reply to Buffafly]

Hi I don't understand why you are not taking meds for the AFib and anticoagulants if you are getting so much Afib ( even if it is stealthy 😉).

A part from that if you also have sinus node pauses you will probably be on track for a pacemaker ..x

[Tux18 in reply to Lilypocket]

I do take anticoagulants. But have never been able to tolerate medication that would regulate my heart. I have tried various kinds. After getting the pacemaker hopefully I will be able to take some medications without being so weak or feeling like I’m going to faint.

[Lilypocket in reply to Tux18]

Hi

What did you try? I'm on slow release Flecainide ( 1 pill of 200 mg a day) and Bisoprolol. I get quite a few episodes of mostly brief sessions. I was on Sotalol before. The episodes were longer ( 12-14 hours) but less frequent. But loads of ectopics which have been resolved by the Flecainide.

What side effects did you experience on the meds you tried?

Are you also experiencing other pathologies? I have sinus node ( brief) pauses also. All these heart anomalies and possible solutions are so perplexing....x

[Tux18 in reply to Lilypocket]

I’ve tried flecainide, Pacerone, metoprolol, Lisinopril ( for blood pressure )and a couple Other such meds. They make me too weak, tired and kind of spacey.

Have had one ablation. Continue to have a fib. Yes perplexing and disturbing .

[Lilypocket in reply to Tux18]

Would you consider another ablation? Someone on here said the first made her worse but the second was successful. However when I see all the positive answers here concerning a PM it seems like a good option! X

[Buffafly in reply to Lilypocket]

I do take Apixaban - don't count that! - but Propafenone (same class as Flecainide) became proarrhythmic for me and Diltiazem (can't take Bisoprolol because of asthma) slows my HR too much if I take a higher dose than the minimum and can cause pauses (according to my cardiologist). Last time I had a long episode I ended up in A&E and was given Digoxin while on a monitor to slow my HR. I was ditched by my cardiologist because I wouldn't take Bisoprolol which under the circumstances now proved my GP's (she didn't want to prescribe it either) point that it might be ok as long as I didn't get a respiratory virus but I could be in trouble if I did. I was going to ask to be referred to a different cardiologist before this blew up 🙄

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

C'est la vie?

[Tux18 in reply to Lilypocket]

Yes, that’s the plan to get PM.

[netie54 in reply to Padayn01]

A pause is when you hear stops beating. My husband had a pause of about 8 secs. Our cardiologist range us from France to tell/advise my husband needed a pacemaker ASAP. Very straightforward op with no after effects. It even helps his Af which has become the very odd short episodes.

[Lilypocket in reply to netie54]

Wow 8 seconds !!!

In fact they say that sinus node pauses provoke Afib ( and also vica versa).

I have very short pauses and my cardiologist thinks an ablation might sort it. ( I'm in France) x

[Tux18 in reply to netie54]

It would be great if a pacemaker would help some of the a fib. Thank you for your reply

[BG2017]

Hello, I had my pacemaker for sinus pauses. They varied between 6 and 10 seconds in length and upon discovery I I had to surrender my driving license. The pauses were exacerbated by the AF so an ablation was tried for this first. Shortly after that I was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, sinus bradycardia and sinus pauses (pretty sure this all means the same thing!!) but consequently a single lead pacemaker was implanted. 6 weeks later I was allowed to drive again. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I hope everything goes well for you.

[Tux18 in reply to BG2017]

Thank you so much for your reply.

[Lilypocket in reply to BG2017]

Hi

I'm interested in your post as my latest ECG has shown short pauses in the sinus node and my cardiologist also mentioned an ablation. It seems yours did not help? X

[BG2017 in reply to Lilypocket]

Hi,

I had lone paroxysmal Afib, and I think my EP thought the ablation for this would concurrently also stop the pauses. Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case, my first ablation wasn’t successful, it seemed to make the AF worse and ultimately so the pauses also worsened. Hence I then had the pacemaker. On a positive, I had a very successful second ablation and now have a very much improved quality of life. Please just ask if you want to know anything else.

Best wishes

Becky

[Lilypocket in reply to BG2017]

Hi Thanks for answering 😊

I'm glad your second ablation was a winner. How do you get on with the pacemaker? The idea worries me having to depend on batteries or whatever to keep me alive yikes!

Xx

[Tux18 in reply to BG2017]

Thank you so much for reply. Evidently the pacemaker procedure went well.

[Hatten28]

Hello to you, I had a pacemaker fitted in 2004 because of pauses in my heart rhythm, which caused a feeling of weakness and collapse on my left side.

Thankfully although my heart still skips a beat it does not affect me.

My problem now is the A fib which is more of a problem.

Hope this reassures you as I had forgotten why the pacemaker was installed initially, your post jogged my memory, I still have episodes of A fib but am still alive to tell the tale.

I am almost 80 years old now, good luck.

[Tux18 in reply to Hatten28]

Thank you for your reply. It is very helpful to hear from others with similar problems. How long have you had afib?

[Hatten28 in reply to Tux18]

As far as I can recall, approx 17 years, it started with severe palpitations while working, I then started to have tingling hands and a loss of strength down my left side, causing weakness never lost consciousness but found it difficult to stay upright. However was good for years only recently had some more difficulties.

All is not lost keep positive and smiling

[Tux18 in reply to Hatten28]

Thank you for your reply. Since taking any meds to help Afib is out Of the question for me as they caused me a great deal of weakness and more. When I have a pacemaker I’m told that they can try different medications for heart rate and a fib that won’t cause me to become so weak and faint. I’m not looking forward to the procedure for the pacemaker. But I guess no one is.

Time will tell.

[Hatten28 in reply to Tux18]

Having a pacemaker fitted is a very simple procedure, nothing to worry about. at all, left arm was sore for a week after.

Had a replacement about 8 years ago, absolutely no problem

[Tux18 in reply to Hatten28]

Good to hear your positive information and reply. Thank So!

[Jennyquilt0]

Had pauses lasting about 6 seconds felt dizzy and almost fainted. Pacemaker fitted and no longer have these really scary episodes. Follow all advice following operation. Mo problem getting licence for driving after informing DVLA. Does not stop the Afib, but does make it not as worrisome for feeling dizzy.

[Tux18 in reply to Jennyquilt0]

That’s what I’m hoping that the afib might not be as worrisome.

[Rosemaryb1349]

I have had a pacemaker for several years due to syncope (pauses when in AF) i was unlucky enough to develop a haematoma a couple of days after the procedure which was painful and prolonged recovery but it has all been worth it. More recently I have had a couple of bouts of A Flutter which the pacemaker dept were able to stop by using the "over drive" feature of my pacemaker - like a magic trick.

[Tux18 in reply to Rosemaryb1349]

I didn’t know that a pacemaker could “override” and stop flutter. Do you know what kind of pacemaker it is?

[Rosemaryb1349 in reply to Tux18]

I know its make Medtronic but not what type it is - I think it is a 2 lead one and was installed in 2015.

[Tux18 in reply to Rosemaryb1349]

OK, thanks a lot!

[shwills]

Yes I have had a pacemaker fitted due to sinus pauses mine lasted up to 10 seconds so it was essential to have a pacemaker fitted

That was nearly a year ago now and so pleased I had it fitted, sore and awkward for a few weeks but you soon get used to it

[bantam12]

I had a dual lead pacemaker fitted 3 weeks ago for Wenckeback pauses, I'm now on Bisoprolol to control the Afib.

The procedure is quick but in my opinion rather brutal so causes lots of pain and bruising. I wasn't allowed to drive for a week but I actually haven't driven for 3 weeks as my shoulder was to painful and still is !

[Tux18 in reply to bantam12]

Again very helpful information. I’ll know more this afternoon what the plan is for me. Have a good day!

[Hatten28]

Hello again, I’ve had A fib for approx 20 years.

I take sotalol, Ramipril and atorvastatin, the Ramipril is a new drug prescribed recently.

Hope you cope well, x

[simonpots]

are PVC SAME as a pause

[Lilypocket in reply to simonpots]

Hi

P stands for premature. It is a premature beat whereas a pause is well a pause. No beat for a few seconds which is why a PVV or PAC is usually benign compared to a pause which can cause serious problems x

[Lilypocket in reply to Lilypocket]

* sorry PVC

[Lisajack1]

I had pm in December for heart block and bradycardia. It was a shock and to a certain extent still is. You will recover and get used to it. Keep to restrictions and take one day at a time. Happy to help

[Tux18 in reply to Lisajack1]

Thank you for your information. It's taking a while to get pacemaker scheduled. Not liking the idea of having one but better than the alternative.

[Lisajack1]

Yes abc unfortunately that is what we are all up against. Happy to talk through with you as I was in shock for a long time.

[Hatten28]

Yes I had a pacemaker fitted in 2004, was fine but as time went on I realised that I was getting slower, breathless and very little energy.

Have taken sotalol from the beginning now on Ramipril as doc says he thinks I have heart failure . Am awaiting for an echocardiogram but think this is now on the back burner due to the virus.

However still alive and kicking, a bit impaired but lucky to be able to carry on. Good luck

[Funky_Uk]

I used to collapse and blackout quite a few times and I had a reveal device which showed I had paused for 30 seconds. I have had 2 pacemakers since 2007 and not collapsed since x