I am 71 years old and have had afib for 5 years. I have had 2 catheter ablations and am currently in NSR, but experience ectopics on a regular basis which don't bother me. I recently wore a heart monitor for one week and they detected an episode of complete heart block lasting a few seconds. I believe I was sitting down while it occured and did not feel faint or have any other symptoms. I think I may have coughed for no reason when it occured. They are now are talking about the possibilty of implanting a pacemaker to prevent further episodes. My HR is always 70-90 bpm but during the episode it dropped to 30 bpm. I was wondering if anyone has opinions on having a pacemaker, what the downsides are and if I should rush to have one installed or wait. Thanks.
Pacemaker: I am 71 years old and have... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Pacemaker
If complete block was seen then a pacemaker is needed sooner rather than later so you don’t risk having a collapse and possibly hurting yourself or others if you happened to be driving at the time !
There are no downsides to having a pacemaker as the alternative of not having one could be serious.
I had one fitted 4 years ago for 2nd degree block and it’s a relief to know it’s there when needed, it doesn’t stop me doing anything and I honestly never think about it. Once you’ve recovered from the procedure you just get on with life and don’t have to worry about and long pauses.
I am on my second pacemaker so far. When the battery begins to fail ( after about 2/3 years in my case ) the entire unit is replaced again overnight. My life has been completely normal while wearing these units. In fact I have joked about having a pacemaker fitted is less trouble than having my hair cut !!!
I can thoroughly recommend having one fitted.
My EP convinced me he would sleep better if I agreed to one. I had experienced at least two occasions when I nearly passed out, on one such dropping to a squat to stay with it. He obviously saw something on a monitor so I agreed and been fine ever since.
I had my pacemaker fitted almost 10 years ago because of falling h/r and it has completely changed my life, that plus medication set me free from my symptoms until I went into perm a/f after a general anaesthetic and emergency hip replacement so medication was adjusted until I am now stable again so for me, my pacemaker was a life changer.
I have PAF for 23 years. Infrequent episodes until 2022 when they became more frequent plus my HR started going low ( 36/44). Then I had a couple of blackouts. I was taken off Bisop and given Donedarone. This helped the AF somewhat but eventually they told me me my heart was pausing when converting to NSR after an episode and this was causing the blackouts. It was decided I needed a two lead pacemaker which I got in March last year. It stopped my blackouts and I get less frequent episodes of AF of between three and six months. I have had no problem with the pacemaker. It does its job and I forget I have it most if the time. Hope all works out well for you.
Twice my husband passed out and I found him on the bathroom floor. They found he had first degree heart block and did an emergency pacemaker insertion. That was four years ago and he has been right as rain ever since. I also had one fitted in 2022 for severe Tachy/Brady syndrome AF and had a AV node ablation. This transformed my life for the better so I have nothing but praise for these little life savers. Go ahead and be safe!
How do you mean severe tachy/brachy?
It is another way the doctors refer to PAF when it swings widely from a high heart rate to a low rate of say below 60. In my case it would be 185 and over down to 65 in two or three beats. After years of trying many drugs to control it I decided to go for the last resort of a pacemaker and my AV node ablated when they offered it to me. I am now only on blood pressure and anticoagulant drugs and free of the PAF and it's awful effects it had on my life.
I had mine fitted 18 months ago fo complete heart block and cardiac arrest, best thing I had, your heart rate will be set, high and low, mine doesn’t go below 50, if it did pacemaker would kick in!
I had a pacemaker fitted 4 yrs ago for complete heart block detected 3 days after a loop fitting. I agree absolutely with all your reply’s if it’s an option get in done, it really is a life changer and life saver!! I hope all goes well for you.
I had a CRT (Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy) pacemaker implanted in October 2019 for HF and PAF. I have had no problems although the hospital said it wasn’t working at full capacity so my meds were increased and now they are happy and have discharged me. I never (or rarely) think about it. It has improved my quality of life.
I had to have a pacemaker because I kept going faint and lightheaded. My heart rate kept dropping to 30. Much better now snd until I got covid again I felt great but it messed up my afib and tachycardia so again have to take tablets to help the afib and tachycardia though.
Having a pacemaker is a very easy and quick procedure snd no pain or problems
Good luck
A few early investigations showed that although my heart was in great condition there was a problem with electrical impulses and I was put on Beta Blockers. AF steadily progressed to Permanent....
Third degree Heart Block or Cardiac induced Syncope was the next development and was detected by an Implanted Loop Recorder after Holter analysis failed to catch what were up to 14 second heart stoppages.
As soon as that was confirmed I got my first pacemaker at age 73 and am now on my second seven and a half years later (typically replacement is after 7-10 years). They report in every night automatically and so progress is monitored and you can sleep easy!
Total and absolute doddle😁 as others have told you. Being wary of metal detectors and induction hobs are the only inconveniences and 99% of the time you will be totally unaware of its presence and carry on with a smile on your face.
Go for it asap.....🏃
Mine was fitted after a loop recorder found a problem ...it was fitted as a day patient (aged 85) ...and it was sore for a few months (I'm a slow healer) ...but if you need one, you need one.
My bpm used to fall to 30; now 50 is the lowest.
I am 50, i had one fitted on 19 July after my loop recorder found pauses in my heart - i am yet to hear anything but positive experiences about pacemakers
I recommend watching this lady's videos about her pacemaker experience before and after your procedure youtube.com/@ginahoegh/videos
Also, I did a lot of the exercises she recommends before i had my pacemaker (as part of my routine fitness) and I think that muscle strength is helping me in my recovery.
Hi, I have a PM and seems to work well. The annual check ups are reassurance and the local pacemaker team are helpful at all times. Down sides are it makes it difficult to have an MRI scan so other conditions may not be discovered. Also be aware of all the electronic devices, induction hobs, airport security, iPhone, anything with a magnet, even electric cars are possible risks.
MRIs aren’t a problem, the pacemaker just needs to be put into safe mode before the test then back to normal settings again after, so as long as the hospital has a pacing department it’s easy.
I know it should be straight forward, but when I had a small stroke 3/22 I was told by the consultant I could not have an MRI as I had a pacemaker. I have tried for 2yrs now to get one but still can't. Nothing to do with PM model just a decision by consultant and no other staff can overturn it.
What is the consultants reasoning for saying you can’t have one ? If you believe you need an MRI I would seek another consultants opinion.
I don’t have an MRI compatible pm but I’ve had 3 MRIs in the last year luckily in the same hospital as my pacing techs so easier to get settings adjusted.
Stroke consultant at local hospital decided. Consultant who inserted PM told him he was wrong and PM was latest model available and PM compatible but didn't make any difference. I have applied for an MRI but as no consultant will recommend it I seem to be stuck.
My pacemaker is one of my best friends - we met in 2008 about 13 years before I met PAF.
I’m now on no.3 as no.2 had to go prematurely when it tried to escape through my skin after too much stretching!
The only downside I believe is that on my death I have to be disposed of as large electrical waste at the local tip …..
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