bradycardia

[stmonica]

Hi, I'm a new member. I have symptoms of bradycardia (low heart rate) and may have to have a REVEAL or pacemaker implant. I am afraid, and would like some reassurance about this procedure as it's under an a local A with sedation.

[Lezzers]

My husband has had an ICD fitted, he had a local & he was able to watch it on screen, took bout an hour I believe. No issues or problems with the procedure. Most people go home the same day, they kept my husband in overnight just to keep an eye on him.

[stmonica in reply to Lezzers]

thank you - this is reassuring.

[stmonica]

Thank you for your reply. Are you able to feel it in your chest - are you aware that it's there after it's implanted ?

[Shoshov in reply to stmonica]

no. you forget it’s there. not looking forward to my next mammogram ouch🤣

[stmonica in reply to Shoshov]

thanks you've been very helpful.

[IanMK]

Hi stmonica.

You mention that you have symptoms. Where are you in the diagnosis process? Are you just self-diagnosing? A Reveal device is used for monitoring and diagnosis purposes. I’m not medically qualified but I woul expect that this would only be used if you don’t have a low heart rate all the time. A pacemaker is used for treatment. Don’t be afraid as anxiety is in no way beneficial; it will only make your condition worse. I have a pacemaker (CRT-P) and I am not aware of it controlling my heart. However, I am slightly built so it is visible and I am aware it is there. No problem fitting it and scar barely visible after 3 months.

[stmonica in reply to IanMK]

I was diagnosed in Dec 2017, after having wearing a 3day ECG monitor. At that time I had no symptoms only the low heart rate 40 -50. Cardiologist suggested the REVEAL but I opted out of it. Recently I started to get symptoms : low sinking feeling in the chest, dizzy, breathless, and wanting to pass out ( although I haven't as yet). GP referred me for 24 hr ECG and I am now waiting to see the Cardiologist , but appointment not until Nov.

I am a very anxious person, and is feeling terrified at the moment. I am sure that I will have to have some sort of procedure to correct this condition.

[IanMK in reply to stmonica]

A 24hr ECG is only appropriate if your HR is low all/most of the time. Are you able to measure it yourself to know if this is the case? If it is only occasionally then a 7day recording may be needed to capture it.

Anxiety is a common response but, as I say, what good does it do? It only makes you feel much worse. If you were at real risk you would have been referred to A&E and kept in hospital. If you feel there is a real risk of you passing out then you must take appropriate precautions (including not driving). If you do faint then you should go to A&E.

At the end of the day, if you need a Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy device this is nothing to fear. The fitting of these is a very routine and safe procedure. Don’t worry.

[christina1947 in reply to stmonica]

It’s a long time to nov why not ring the secretary and mention how you feel anxious and would she let you know if there was any cancellation.My appt was for nov same thing as you but apparently in Chester they are doing evening appt to help so they gave me one for the 23 sept 7pm Phone get yourself noticed Take care xxx

[Gowers]

Reveal device is a 24x7 way of monitoring the heart. Having it fitted is easy as already mentioned on the forum earlier. It's very accurate and reassuring as it means your ep or cardiologist can download the readings & see what/when has been happening when you have had symptoms - far better than trying to explain how you felt at the time. Mine has been in for 14months and at one time showed a short run of AF at over 200 beats. Another time he looked back & could see when the AF had started and stopped.

[christina1947]

Hi don’t be stressed my GP put it like this - You have an ageing heart and may need a pacemaker some people have hip replacement some need knee replacement some have cataracts and you may have a pacemaker.

In other words no big deal take care xxxx

[northwesterner]

I had bradycardia and once I had my pacemaker it made a huge difference in my life. It was a pretty simple procedure and didn’t take long to heal. I used to feel it when it kicked on but after 15yrs I don’t anymore. I would go in about every 3mos to check battery life and after 10 years it was replaced with an even better one. I have a little 3” scar just below my collar bone on the left side. I can feel it just under the skin if I touch there.

[shwills]

Hello

I have had a reveal device and now have a pacemaker

The reveal device was taken out when I had the pacemaker put in 6 weeks ago. Both were put in under sedation.

It’s to help you the reveal device records what is going on with your heart and the pacemaker is to help with the bracacardia

The reveal is a very small procedure, the pacemaker longer

They do these procedures all the time, think of it as a positive thing

Good luck

[mostin1973]

I had a reveal put in after a major heart attack as they wanted to check the rhythms and if i felt faint scan the reveal so they could check 5 minutes before and after.

It turns out my heart was stopping for 7 or 8 seconds and then starting again. The reveal i had was a bit like a memory stick but you don't think about it after a while. They give you what they called moon juice as you are aware but chilled.

Hope this helps.

Blessings

Marc

[Schora1]

Hi stmonica, welcome to the group. I had a reveal implanted in November 17 without sedation just local anaesthetic. I did not feel anything other than slight pressure so please try not to worry. My reveal has been implanted just above the left breast and although I can feel it with my hand, I do forget it is there other than when I need to do a download or have to record an episode.

Explain your worries to your cardiologist and I am sure they will reassure you.

[cowparsley]

Like you,I was horrified when told the pacemaker would be fitted under local A,I`m somewhat squeamish about blood etc.No worries,you`re given a sedative to make you woozy then the procedure.I t was fascinating,I even watched it on the monitor cos it was in black and white not technicolour!That was 10 years ago and due to have it replaced in October.I love my pacemaker,I`m slim and yes it`s the size of a large wristwatch and very visible but it`s keeping me alive.Best of luck whichever procedure you have.X

[bmwted]

Hi stmonica sorry to read this and being a new member myself I cannot offer you any advice other than try to not get too anxious. Best wishes

[Stanley18]

Hi, I suffer from bradycardia. I blacked out for the first time on Aug 5, 2018, a year ago today. I was afraid about what was happening to me. I embraced what the doctors told me about needing a pacemaker and very soon I felt hopeful, and hope is what has stayed with me. I went swimming in the Med this morning and I felt great. Take care if you’ve been feeling unwell; I blacked out a second time at the top of the stairs. A recent poll by a Pacemaker UK Facebook group indicated that some patients found the procedure uncomfortable and some not at all. The Reveal implant is a pinprick. My best wishes to you.

[Gabbi1966]

Hi there, welcome to the forum, it’s a great place to talk to people who are going through the same things. I initially had a loop recorder put into my heart under local no pain what so ever just a bit of tugging etc. I was fainting with no obvious reason, the loop recorder saved my life really as it showed that I had bradycardia and on the last faint I had my heart stopped for 38 seconds before re starting. In Jan 18 I had a pacemaker fitted, took a bit longer again under local, no pain just felt a bit bruised in the area afterwards. I have had no faints since then and felt 100times better knowing the pacemaker will always keep my heart beating. The anxiety of having these procedures was absolutely the most painful thing please be reassured they don’t hurt and they make you feel much better x

[siouxbee19]

Welcome and best of health to you!

I've had both procedures (Reveal and later ICD/pacemaker) and honestly it's nothing to be worried about. The Reveal beats having to wear those pesky monitors, and having to manually record how you feel. Once you quickly recover and heal, you tend to forget about an ICD/pacemaker.

My advice: 1) If you do have an implant, especially an ICD/pacemaker, wear a comfortable bra, even @ night, and perhaps sleep with a supportive pillow during healing. Much more comfortable sleeping, especially for bigger-chested females; 2) Realize mammograms may be a bit different, there is a small amount of tissue that can't be viewed, but medical professionals should be aware of this and treat accordingly, but it is not painful at all; 3) let your doctor know of your fears and anxieties and questions, he/she can put your mind at ease and help in that regard.

Best wishes and please do keep us posted! 🙏♥️

[Frigid]

There is really nothing to worry about I had mine done for the same reasons. A slow heart rate with breathlessness I was sent to A&E by my doctor and was checked out by medical staff and put on a monitor, I thought that was it but next morning I was told I was to have a pacemaker put in yes I was nervous but once I was in theatre and a local anaesthetic it was all over in less than an hour and home next morning, I am glad I had it done it has made me so much better, still get breathless but cope with it good luck and leave it to the medics they know best..

[Emzyfred1419]

Good afternoon. Absolutely nothing to worry about. I had my first pacemaker fitted when I was 18 in 1985. I am now on pacemaker no.4. It is done under local but trust me when I say you won't feel any pain at all, just a little discomfort during and after but no pain. You will be fine, good luck.

[Greatfulheart]

Hi Stmonica. I had a pacemaker put in to treat my bradycardia a little over 2 years ago. I felt immediately better afterwards. I am in the USA and I was put under totally. The surgery took over 3 hours. They had a little bleeding issue so maybe that's why it took so long. I had a ton of bruising and was not supposed to move my left arm or lift for a few weeks. But I felt great and hardly had any pain at all! My surgery was an emergency and I didnt have a choice. Do it immediately or I would die. You can read my profile if you like. I felt so good that day! I still do. I hadn't realized how bad I was before. I wish you the best.