Can a pacemaker help with breathing?

[oulpete2]

I have severe Emphysema and last year had heart failure whilst in A&E. Was on life support for 4days then critical care for 4days and remained in hospital for 1 month. One year on I have had a pacemaker fitted which should stabilise my heart rhythm and help my shortness of breath. Has anyone experience of this and has it worked? Still in Hospital after pacemaker procedure today. Many thanks.

[HungryHufflepuff]

Wishing you a good recovery from your surgery.

There are different kinds of pacemaker but in theory they can help to reduce breathlessness. But, like any procedure, it can work great for one person but not at all for the next. But, with the heart working more efficiently it should get the blood and oxygen flowing and reduce the shortness of breath. I don’t personally have experience of this but my dad had a pacemaker fitted, he didn’t have a lung condition but his heart condition caused him to be very short of breath and the pacemaker did help with that. He also went on a residential rehab course thing where he learned about diet and exercise and breathing. I hope the pacemaker will be helpful for you and you notice an improvement with your breathing 👍

[oulpete2 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Very encouraging thank you so much for your prompt reply.

[Hidden]

My understanding is heart failure is not aterial fibulation.

My dad’s end stage heart failure mainly due to heart fibrosis and he’s heart is not flexible enough to give blood good psi

All pace makers in world would not help him ONLY drugs to stop heart fibrosis

I would ask your heart doctor about that AS is drugs available but hardly ever prescribed

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Hidden]

You’re right they’re two different things. My dad progressed onto a pacemaker with defibrillator, part of the function controls the heart beat and the other function as defibrillator. Controlling the heart rate can reduce breathlessness. Medications of various sorts are usually needed too though. Thinking of you and your dad.