Who benefits from pace maker.?

[Love101cats]

Can anyone explain why some are excluded from having a pacemaker. I am suffering from breathlessness, ef of 43%, irregular heart beat, left ventricular failure. So which of these doesn't warrant a pace maker? Also GTN spray? My BP is low. Thank you. I just want to check that I've got it right.

[Palpman]

The only condition you mention that a pacemaker can benefit is your irregular heartbeat.

Unfortunately you have not mentioned what type of arrhythmia you have so we cannot give a better answer.

Your breathlessness can be a result of some arrhythmias.

Your EF of 43% is not too bad at all and a pacemaker cannot improve this. Nor can it improve any symptoms of an enlarged ventricle.

Pacemakers are only helpful for bradycardia and heartblock. In some cases of severe irregular heartbeats the normal pulse is totally killed off and solely controlled by the pacemaker.

[Love101cats in reply to Palpman]

Thank you for the clarification. No why couldn't my g.p. tell me that? Dont say ask questions. She is like a coiled spring ready to bolt! Or perhaps she didn't know.

[Hidden in reply to Love101cats]

Hi I don't know why but my grand dad had one but my step never they said wasn't suitable he was on waraffin and some other meds which they kept adjusting he had a enlarged heart best wishes🤗

[Prada47 in reply to Palpman]

Sorry but what you have put here is incorrect

The type of Pacemaker is extremely important in Heart Failure. CRT can help. You are correct in saying 43% isn't to bad but NYHA scale is as important. LBBB and widening QRS are also an important factor, we are all different in how we present.

My Cardiologist has said I fit all the criteria for a CRT BUT he wants to wait

I am on what for me is the Maximum dose of Entresto 49/51 mg (2 a day ) and 7.5mg Bisoprolol which has been reduced from 10mg. This is all part of having to be on Maximum Medication before intervention.

Hands Face Space to Stay Safe

[Palpman in reply to Prada47]

Thanks for pointing that out to me. I was not aware of the CRT and I will be reading up on it.

[Grayjay]

I was told that I could have either an ICD, a Pacemaker or an Ablation only to be told on my last visit to the specialist that I wasn't suitable for any of them and I'm to be treated with medication. I've been on all that they can give me up until then, so it was all a big waste of time and disappointment. Just go along with what they tell you it's not worth worrying about. By the way I have similar symptoms as you i.e Severe Heart Failure and A/F. Good luck.

[Love100cats]

I would if I could! I dont have a consultant cardiologist. I saw one when I was in hospital 3 years ago but not since. I was discharged to Arrhythmia nurse then on to heart failure nurse. Even though my bnp is 4450 I dont see one. I have asked and been told they are too busy. I even got in touch with the hospital and asked to see one privately but the answer was the same. My husband was treated completely differently. Why? He was heart attack. So he had angiography, stents, pacemaker and regular 6 monthly appointments. 3 years ago you cant blame the pandemic. Its the system. Heart failure is chronic and progressive so get you on the meds and monitor, monitor and monitor. But what happens when changes occur like CKD?

[Love100cats]

Its the system thats wrong not the ability to assert yourself. If you go onto cardiac ward in the local hospital you are divided 3 ways. 1) sent to hospital 80 miles away for angiography and probable treatment. You are in a queue and often in hospital weeks waiting to be transferred even going home at night. 2) you are given x-ray and scan then referred or put on meds. ) 3) you are sent home with letter for gp and appointment for arrhythmia nurse or hf nurse. I can't argue its severity either as at some points my husband and I were in the same level on the NYScale. My husband died last December but had survived 33 years since heart attack. Sadly my heart condition is inherited and its had a tough time as carer for all those years. I dont feel sorry for myself just wish I could keep going a little longer. Thank you for support.