Meds with pacemaker

[Kimkat]

Does anyone on here who has a pacemaker also take medication? The reason I ask is because a couple of months after my op I had chest pain and discomfort and was taken into A&E by paramedics who asked what meds I was on and was genuinely surprised when I said that I wasn’t on any. It’s just got me thinking and I forgot to ask when I went to my checkup. By the way mine was fitted for HB1 and 2.

[RamblingAl]

I have an ICD fitted and have to take my 6 a day meds, for controlling heart rate, BP Statins etc!

[Kimkat in reply to RamblingAl]

Can I ask the reason your pacemaker was fitted?

[RamblingAl in reply to Kimkat]

The pacemaker is part of the ICD which is a defibrillator. It's fitted because I have Dysplasia and arrhythmia.

[DaveTR]

That's definitely something to query with your consultant.

I'd give your team a call on one of the numbers on your discharge sheet.

Like RamblingAl, I'm on a number of meds. All of which I was on before I had my ICD fitted though.

[Kimkat in reply to DaveTR]

I have a check up next week so I’ll ask then, what was the reason yours was fitted?

[DaveTR in reply to Kimkat]

I've had Dilated Cardiomyopathy for a number of years. Recently I have had arythmias which where corrected through Cardioversion at the hospital. The ICD cuts out the need for me to travel to hospital for cardioversion. The team also monitor me remotely so can see what's going on. Really clever bit of kit.

[Kimkat]

Thanks for your reply, I did think the same but it has played on my mind as the paramedic that attended did appear very surprised that I wasn’t on any meds at all. I was in so much discomfort that I didn’t think at the time to ask.

[Kimkat]

By the time we got to A&E it was all systems go, they were so busy in there I barely had time to answer their questions. As I had been awake all night all I wanted to do was get home for a sleep as I was left in a room on a hard backed chair for over two hours. I have a list of things written down this time so that I don’t forget.

[Philippa_BHF]

Hi Kimkat,

I hope you feel better now and that the reason for your trip to A&E was easily treated. People aren't generally on medication for heart blocks alone- pacemakers are often enough to treat that. In this day and age, people are prescribed medication for so many reasons and conditions,so I would imagine the paramedic was simply doing his/her job ascertaining whether you were taking any medication as an indication of anything else you might be being treated for such as high blood pressure, diabetes etc. They cover all eventualities on first meeting with a patient.

I hope I've put your mind at rest!

Take Care,

Philippa

[Kimkat]

Thank you, I guessed that as an ICD does a different job than a PM that would be the case but it has played on my mind a little.

[Kimkat]

I forgot to mention that I already had an appointment that morning with the cardiologist and everything was fine it, I was just so tired after being awake all night that I had brain fog and couldn’t think straight to ask any questions but I’m ready for next weeks appointment.

[Ellejack]

When I had PM implanted April 18, I was advised by cardiologist that no mediation required. I have PM for 2nd Degree Heart Block. Was only electrics I had a problem with my heart plumbing was all okay.