Pacemaker fitted?

[Davidpeaty]

Hi As someone with PAF, plus "secondary degree heart block and short sinus pauses" but fortunately with virtually no symptoms

I am taking Apixaban and my cardiologist may well advise me to have a pacemaker fitted following a current seven day patch result in a few days time.

So any advice/thoughts from someone with a similar diagnosis and treatment options would be gratefully received.

I don't know why but I am worried about the thoughts of possibly having a pacemaker fitted

[bantam12]

I’ve had my pacemaker for 2 years, done for 2nd degree heart block and bradycardia, it doesn’t help with the afib so that still happens although I’m not aware of it.The procedure is pretty brutal but doesn’t take long, lots of bruising afterwards and you would need to be careful for 6 weeks with arm movements on that side, otherwise once it’s settled in you can forget about it other than the yearly pacing checks to check the data and battery life.

I highly recommend if the pauses do cause you problems in the future, my late husband had 3rd degree block and used to collapse so I’m happy I’ve got my pm before getting to that stage !!

[baba in reply to bantam12]

I got to the collapsing stage - no fun. Pacemaker sorted the looong pauses.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hi there, thank you for sharing your message. If you would like any help and support, our patient services team are very happy to help: [e-mail] or call 01789 867 502. You may find our patient booklet helpful to download from the webpage \ Patient resources : heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/...

booklet

[AFCyclist]

Hi. I have Left Bundle Branch Block and was told my resting heart rate may get slower with time. Currently 55-60bpm. Had a pacemaker fitted 16 months ago which is programmed to activate if heart rate drops below 50bpm. This has not activated until recently when a low hr at night has caused it to kick in.No problem with the fitting apart from not getting the 3rd lead attached which left me with a 2 lead pacemaker that still gives me protection but not synchronisation.

[Pita]

I was fitted with a pacemaker over 10 years ago should of been 3 lead they had problems, so I have 2 lead pacemaker. I had long pauses and even collapsed with some of them. I still have AF , SVT and VT. I had problems last year as the pacemaker did not kick in and collapsed 3 times, pacemaker clinic adjusted the settings and so far so good. My pacemaker is set at 60bpm so I won't go below that. It was painful after fitting, had to be careful not to raise your arm too far, this is so the leads can imbed well for about 6 to 7 weeks.

[Golfer60UK]

Good morning David, another David here.I have had a pacemaker fitted August 2021, and after asking what happens if the pacemaker stops working for any reason, the answer was 'It will not stop working'

After much thought I decided to have it fitted, its been absolutely fine and I have felt much stronger and less short of breath. Still take a blood thinner which will help prevent a stroke.

Best of luck

Dave

[Davidpeaty in reply to Golfer60UK]

Thank you David and everyone else who kindly replied to my post I sense my consultant will possibly recommend a pacemaker "to be on the safe side"