ASKING FOR A REPEAT ECG FOR POSSIBLE PACEMAKER

[Hartdeer]

I am new to this site as have just joined the BHF. My first name is Stephen.

I had an ECG last November. This was done through a 'spiderflash' recording monitor for a continuous period of 7 days, with 3 attachments to the chest.

The outcome of this was that they said from the ECG recording that there were some low rates (beats per minute). According to the the graph the lowest recording was 34bpm, and the longest was for 5 seconds. Generally my beats per minute are in the 60-75bpm range. I did not have any symptoms or need to press the button on the monitor. The recommendation of having a pacemaker fitted was made.

Six months on I am concerned that the recommendation for a pacemaker should not be the case. I have had no symptoms of dizziness or other issues related to bradycardia.

I therefore would like to do another ECG test, either through the NHS or privately, to see what the present situation is. I have found it hard to get the NHS to do another test, and they want me to just go ahead with having a pacemaker inserted, which I am loathe to do, if it is not necessary or urgent at present.

I have seen a few videos on You Tube, that say even with occasional bradycardia (low bpm), a pacemaker is not always necessary, as the heart is quite capable of supplying the body and more importantly the brain, with good oxygenated blood.

I am therefore left with either trying to get another ECG, do nothing at all, or go ahead with having a pacemaker fitted, with taking on the pros and more importantly the cons (avoiding magnetism, microwaves, mobile phones, living near a 5G mast,etc).

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Hidden]

Dear Hartdeer

A warm welcome to you, I hope that you find the forum both helpful and informative.

You have to remember that most of us are not medically trained and it would be almost impossible to read your diagnosis, this is something that only a trained cardiologist/radiographer could do.

The only thing that I can say is that they would be extremely reluctant to place a Pacemaker {you didn’t say what type} inside you unless they were sure that it would benefit you, either now or in the very near future.

I am about to have the same procedure done and mine is for a completely different diagnosis, but the outcome is the same, to make me more comfortable to get on with my life. I can’t ask for more.

There is help for you and you must question the for’s and against with your cardiologist {not Google} I think you will find that there is more to your story.

At the end of the day it is your decision and no you wont be penalised because you want to put it off happening, but you must have at hand your reasons.

Its a two way process, they will not go ahead if your not happy to, let them listen to you and make sure you listen to them, then decide, no one has the right to judge you, it is your decision and yours only.

Loved ones can make that hard, the world is full of outside pressures.

I have studied/asked questions/screamed and shouted and at the end of the day the positives for me having it done far out number the negatives , now I’m playing the waiting game again, but I don’t mind, my turn will come.

Take care and please let us know the outcome, you are not alone.

[Palpman]

That is a very low HB and could be the escape pulse originating in the AV Node when the sinus pulse stops firing.

If I were you then for peace of mind I would have the pacemaker inserted should the escape pulse also not fire.

Low HB's tend to precipitate arrhythmias. When mine drops below 45 then my ectopic beats start. I would prefer a pacemaker just to not experience these horrible ectopics.

[Stanley18]

Good morning Stephen

I was fitted with a pacemaker for bradycardia in 2018. The cons have had minimal impact on my day to day life. I exercise caution of course, most recently notifying my dentist of my device before he used an ultrasonic scaler, but almost four years down the line I hardly give my PM a second thought.

Best wishes, Paul.

[Hartdeer]

Thank you all for your encouragement and allaying my concerns.