One lead pacemaker

[Truckerclark]

After speaking to cardiology consultant yesterday ,he thinks my best bet is to have a pacemaker fitted ,,,as my heart rate goes down as low as 36 & jumps to 85 within seconds ,and can last quite a while doing this , leaving me feeling knackered & not in great shape after it , I should say I’ve had AF for nearly 19 years now ,been on lots of meds ,because of other health issues ie Asthma ,,& angina ,I have 2 stents also ,, I know this pacemaker will help low heart rate ,what I didn’t ask was ,will it help my erratic heart beats & breathlessness ,anyone any knowledge of this I’d appreciate the help as it’s difficult getting anyone to speak to at hospital ,,, due to go in new year ,

[bantam12]

I have a 2 lead pacemaker for bradycardia, initially set at 60 but changed to 63 it stops the low rate but doesn't really help with rhythm, I still have frequent ectopics, SV tachycardia and breathleness but I'm increasing my Bisoprolol which will hopefully help.

[Truckerclark in reply to bantam12]

Thanks I’ll be on phone to them next week again ,

[BobD Volunteer]

A pacemaker alone will not normally stop AF and allied symptoms. Last chance saloon is pace and ablate where they ablate the AV node and you are PM dependent. Even then many people can still feel the AF going on although heart rate is controlled by the pacemaker and there should be no arrhythmia felt at the pulse.

[Truckerclark in reply to BobD]

That was my thinking ,but wasn’t sure ,I had ablation in 2005 that took flutter away but not AF ,,, tried all sorts meds since then , they worked not bad till I had stents fitted now it’s worse , thanks

[AMW64]

A normal pacemaker won't help with tachycardia, but I believe an ICD will, though I don't think the DVLA like them, and this could be an issue for you judging by your username? bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Truckerclark in reply to AMW64]

Thanks for reply ,,,,I might need to change my username ,as DVLA took my HGV off me in February due to stents fitted and my erratic heart beat not being controlled anymore ,,,especially bradycardia at times ,,, I’m now medically retired now ,

[AMW64]

I have a similar username elsewhere ;-), though I have not driven an HGV for over three years. Don't change it, unless you want to, it is a part of you. My partner suffered the same fate after his TIA in Oct 2016, HGV revocation, he has also been medically retired. His PM has kept the bradycardia at bay, though he still has bouts of tachycardia, and breathlessness. Enjoy your retirement as best as you can under the circumstances, and stay safe.

[Truckerclark in reply to AMW64]

Thanks for lovely ,message , your right it’s who I’ve been for 40 years trucking ,,,, I think I’ll be getting pacemaker & once I lose enough weight he might try another ablation ,,,the breathlessness is the worst part ,not able to do much before tired etc ,,,, take care thanks