Pacemaker not needed apparently

[Gsarah]

I have just had my first year pacemaker checkup. The technician said he is stopping my PM from pacing as my heart has been in normal rhythm for a year! I’ve only had it a year. Had it been implanted necessarily? My heart is now beating normally by itself. Anyone else had this happen? They couldn’t find anything wrong with me but my heart went down to 27 causing total heart block. I’m not sure what to do about it if anything

Any advice welcomed

Gill

[bantam12]

Not sure how they can decide to turn it off if you had a diagnosis of total heart block, I wouldn't be happy with that, I would rather it was left on just in case ! I have 2nd degree block and my pm isn't really doing anything but I'm happy it's there, just in case !

[Gsarah in reply to bantam12]

It’s not pacing but set to 60-130 so if it drops again pm will kick in. I was concerned they did this without cardiologist agreeing. I had 3rd stage allegedly

[firstlight40]

Hello, thanks for telling us about this. I'm sure the cardiologist is going to give you the best answer. It's great your heart is pacing itself.

As a chartered electronics engineer I can only think that turning off the continual pacing while keeping the 'emergency mode' in case your heart changes rhythm will reduce power consumption and extend the pacemaker life but this is just an educated guess so definitely ask your cardiologist!

[Remos]

I also had a similar experience where my heart rate reduced causing me to pass out. I was monitored in hospital for a few days where they decided to implement a PM. Had it for 6 months now with 0 pacing required. I also wondered if I really needed it. The cardiologist simply said their was “circumstantial evidence” (whatever that means) that it could happen again.

I guess they don’t want to take any chances that they send you home without doing anything and then it happens again when you’re crossing the road.

[Fred1954]

My pacemaker is a dual lead type, which was fitted after a spell of fainting due to low heart rate, at that point only one lead was active. I had previously been diagnosed with A flutter. This was fixed by ablation six months later and the second lead turned on for full pacing. In your case I would guess that they have deactivated the pacing lead and left you with the basic one.

[Hidden]

Hi, I've often found the workings of my Pacemaker a mystery. My PM is a dual type fitted for 3rd Degree Heart Block, 8 years ago this week.

During that time the settings have been changed from 60/130, 70/130 a couple of occasions. I've been 50% or 100% reliant at different times. A few weeks back, it was reset again at 70/130, 50% dual, I'm told this was better for me and should extend battery life. Any changes over the years were done without Cardiologists say so, which I have no problem with.

Best regards

Heed