Sinus arrest

[Ezrafurball]

Good morning

I wondered whether there is anyone on here who is in their 30s or 40s and has had a pacemaker fitted as they have bradycardia and sinus arrest?

I recently found out that I have sinus arrest and am feeling very anxious about the pacemaker fitting.

I am fit and well apart from this and there appears to be nothing wrong with my heart apart from the faulty sparkplug!

It would be lovely to be in touch with anyone who can emphathise at having a pacemaker fitted at a young age.

Thanks so much!

[EMBoy]

Hi,

I'm a bit older than you, and don't have sinus arrest, but do have a pacemaker for another reason.

Don't worry too much about the pacemaker fitting - it's not as bad as you expect.

It's done under local anaesthetic, but you can have a sedative if you want one. It's a bit uncomfortable because you have to lie in an awkward position, but it is not painful. Afterwards, when the anaesthetic has worn off, it will be painful, but (for me anyway) a couple of paracetamols every few hours should keep the pain to a bearable level. You should be pain free within a week to 10 days.

If you follow all the advice they give you, your pacemaker will change your life. In time, you probably won't be aware of it and can get on with life as normal.

All the best.

[Ezrafurball in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. Your answer is reassuring and I appreciate you letting me know about your experience. Once you've had it fitted do you have to attend any clinics? Is it connected remotely to the hospital monitoring?

I hope you are well and having a lovely Christmas. Take care

[EMBoy in reply to Ezrafurball]

If I remember correctly, I had to attend a clinic after 6 weeks, then again after 3 months to make sure that there is no infection, and that the electrodes have embedded properly. After this, there are annual check ups.

My pacemaker is not remotely connected to the hospital, but there are apps that allow you to send data from the pacemaker to the hospital. I'm not sure how this works though.

If you are still anxious, you could try "the pacemaker club" which is an online forum similar to this one, but specifically for people with pacemakers. I believe that Facebook also has a pacemaker forum.

Hope you had a good Christmas. Happy New Year.

[Ezrafurball in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you so much for your advice. Really appreciate it.

[Buddi12]

Hi I am 55 and had a pacemaker fitted unexpectedly in April due to heart block. The procedure was straightforward and if you follow the aftercare instructions you will be fine. I had checkup six weeks later, then at three months. I was given a monitor to have at home which just sits in corner of bedroom. I have been told I will have a remote appointment using this six months after my three month appointment and a in person appointment six months after that. Hope that helps

[Ezrafurball in reply to Buddi12]

Thank you very much for your reply. Sorry for my late reply - have only just seen it. Really appreciate your advice. Hope you are feeling so much better. I can't wait for my appointment - my anxiety is bad at the moment worrying about every twinge and pain.

[Travellingman76]

Hi Ezrafurball, Was so relieved to read your post. Am not sure whether you have had your pace maker fitted but I had mine done last Friday 19th jan. Due to my symptoms I was under the supervision of neurologist and more recently cardiologist. Having the pacemaker was ok didn’t hurt as much but am sore at the moment particularly my shoulder. What resonated about your post is your concerns about your age. I am 47 and have a young family and so it did strike a cord what you said. I have been told that it doesn’t compromise your life expectancy which is good to hear but it is still reassuring to speak to people who have pace makers fitted to get that reassurance that life doescontinue. Not sure if you have had your pace maker fitted but am sure it will go well. 🙂

[Ezrafurball]

Hi Travellingman76. How are you feeling? I hope that your pacemaker has made an improvement and you are feeling better. would you mind me asking what your symptoms were and how long you had them? I had an appointment with a different cardiologist yesterday and he has said that he does not think a pacemaker fitting is right for me at the moment as I am not showing any symptoms apart from low bpm and breathlessness and fatigue. I still have a problem with my sinus node but he has told me not to worry as my risk of stroke and heart attack are low. (which is a challenge!)