I'm getting a loop recorder implanted next week and I'm told probably at some point after that a pacemaker.
However, it just occurred to me, maybe there's a choice: get the pacemaker or give up driving? This post is not to help me make that choice, there's tons of time yet for that. It's to ask more knowledgeable people than myself whether or not that really is the choice I'll be facing.
I have left bundle branch block, first degree heart block and bradycardia. Sometimes I feel faint and sometimes I actually pass out. The consultant believes, and my experience seems to confirm, it's only when my heartrate is at its slowest that the electrical problems cause the symptoms. Therefore the danger of passing out only exists when I'm relaxed.
To my mind, therefore, there is little or no danger of fainting while out and about. The law about driving is clear, my symptoms have to be under control, therefore the pacemaker. But driving aside, I think I'd be willing to take the risk of living a normal life with these symptoms.
So the question is, is my understanding correct, is deciding not to have the pacemaker, and not driving, a real option for me, or do I need the pacemaker whether driving or not?
Of course I'll speak to the medics about this but I won't get the chance for a while and I'm interested to get opinions in here meanwhile.
EDIT: Several people got the wrong impression about what I'm asking but I believe the second last paragraph (or 3rd last counting this one) makes it quite clear. Also, my licence was revoked in August, so I've plenty of experience of life without driving.
Written by
Scotsman53
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
If there is any chance of you passing out, however small, or your judgement is impaired due to a medical condition whilst driving with or without a pacemaker you should not drive. That's my view. Not only are you in a possible grey area with the DVLA and your motor insurer, but you might be a safety hazard to yourself and other road users, with or without your medical professionals blessing. And if you continue to drive are you going to feel fully confident behind the wheel. Sooner or later I will be faced with a similar decision, since although I am fully fit and confident at present, in the coming years, due to me approaching my 'twilight years' I will get to the point where I start to question my driving ability in an increasingly busy driving world, due to age related deterioration in my faculties, and in the end I will have to hand back my licence which is currently over 50 years old.
You don't seem to understand, I have no intention of driving while there is any chance of passing out. That's not the question. (And that's the third time I've said that.) Read the original post again, or move on to something else.
What you actually said is there is 'little or no danger of passing out'. The 'little' part infers there is still a chance. Anyway I'm done . Hopefully someone a lot more intelligent than me can understand your question and give you the answer you are looking for.
Yes that's what I said, but I'm not driving and not considering driving under these circumstances. For the fourth time, that is not the question. One question is whether I should not get a pacemaker and not drive, or get one and drive. Another is whether that is even the correct question, are these really the options facing me. Driving without a pacemaker was never and would never be considered.
What he actually said was, is deciding not to have the pacemaker, and not driving. There was not 1 single mention of not having the pacemaker fitted in order to continue driving. You have completely misinterpreted the post!
'You have completely misinterpreted the post'.....
1. 'There was not 1 single mention of not having the pacemaker fitted in order to continue driving'. 100% agree.
2. But there was mention in the OP of having a pacemaker fitted with an option to drive, as in ''or do I need the pacemaker whether driving or not'
3. All of which I responded as ' If there is any chance of you passing out, however small, or your judgement is impaired due to a medical condition whilst driving with or without a pacemaker you should not drive. That's my view'.
I am definitely beginning to wonder why I responded in the first place, which rather defeats the object of me being here.
The post was rather incoherent to me so well done for trying to help. In his place I would refer to the official advice - there’s plenty of it - rather than a forum.
Saying that the post was incoherent to me is not a criticism. To me he was saying all the right things but not necessarily in the right order!’ (Credit Eric Morecambe’ )
Hello it wasn't meant as a criticism just another thought as how it could be looked at., now that was a brilliant way of explaining it and made me smile. Mr Previn would approve.
I have had a pacemaker for 16 years for vasovagal syncope. On completing my over 70 licence renewal form every three years I was happy to say that I had not had anything serious or unusual happen and I had kept up with my annual PM review. Following major heart surgery in 2019 my Consultant said I could drive again and the DVLA continued to renew my licence. Three years later I had an unexplained collapse following a cataract operation. I came round with 7 medics around me and I ended up in Resus then overnight in hospital. The shock of how bad the collapse had been quickly made me decide that it was time to stop driving because if this had happened while I had been on the road I dare not think what could have happened to other people. By then I was 78. It was a huge step, especially as I live aloneand needed my car but there are always taxis at the end of the phone and good friends to help. I still regret it but I have peace of mind.
I have a pacemaker, and was told not to drive for7 days with my particular device. My case is not the same as yours, but if a pacemaker is advised, I would say, get it.
You can fall, hit your head and be severely injured. This just happened to my friend. He sustained se ere brain damage. I have a pacemaker. No big deal
You can fall, hit your head and be severely injured. This just happened to my friend. He sustained se ere brain damage. I have a pacemaker. No big deal
Well I got a pacemaker here in NZ at age 71 and it was a piece of cake. One night in hospital after proceedure and driving in 2 days. Dont even know I have it until something reminds me so, yes get it and have a normal life.
Hi, my question to you is why you don't want a pacemaker. I have a defibrillation pacemaker because there is a small chance that I will pass out and my heart stop. The procedure to implant the device was simple and took a couple of hours,
There is list on dvla on driving conditions but surely having a pacemaker will give you a better quality of life, I don't think I would second guess having one if it made my life more normal without worry of fainting etc
Hi Scotsman53, I have a pacemaker and and ICD fitted. If you collapse or arrest while you have your pacemaker in you will not be able to drive for 6 month until a doctor signs you as as fine to drive. If you have a pacemaker fitted as a precaution with no collapse you will need not to drive for 1 month. You need to make dvla aware and insurance as otherwise your insurance is void.
I can't comment on the pacemaker, but not driving can be a real nuisance. I stopped driving for a while as I felt unwell, at the time it wasn't heart related, and my 70th birthday came and went and I didn't renew my licence. I started the process to renew it, but then got further problems which all could cast a doubt on getting back my licence. I dealt with the issues one by one, but still have queries re: heart issues, so no further forward.
It really hampers day to day life. I live in a very rural area with virtually nonexistent publuc transport so have become quite socially isolated, because my mobility is impaired too, so I can't walk very far. Your circumstances may be different. It has really hit me during the last week, my sister has been in ICU, and I can't get there without taking up a big chunk of someone else's time which could be really inconvenient at this time.
Your situation could be very different, so it may not lead to becoming a problem for you. It wasn't for me, at the beginning.
My question to you would be, how will your quality of life be affected if you don't have the pacemaker fitted?I would guess that eventually you would be unable to do the things you'd want to do.
Driving aside, a pacemaker will probably give you a better quality of life, with the continued ability to do the fun things in life x
Do you have a specific reason for not wanting a pacemaker?
How much would not being able to drive impact your life? Do you have a partner etc who you do everything with who can drive instead of you? Is there good public transport or is the shop the doctor etc walking distance?I have considered not having a car - rather than not driving which is different - purely because I run an old car which might need replacing altho I hope not - but running a car is expensive and I could use the money for a taxi or Uber. But - I do use my car nearly every day for a 4 mile round trip to get myself and 2 or 3 dogs up the hill to the woods for the morning. I can walk if I've only got 2 dogs but its 2 miles extra walking and I'm tired when I get home which is no good as it's straight into the next lot of chores ( feed dogs, cook lunch, muck out) I don't think a taxi would be happy about 3 dogs!
I probably would have the pacemaker but I think you are saying it's an option for you to have one and drive or not have one and not drive.
I have Bradycardia and low blood pressure which caused heart failure but now under control. My CRT-D pacemaker defibrillator has saved my life so my advice is definitely have one. I fell twice in the street (syncope) luckily I wasn’t crossing a road I was in the path and I had no control over it. I feel more confident now but still have low bp that gives me dizzy spells when I stoop down and get up. Mine has a resynchronisation device in it so it’s set at 70 bpm but if it drops too low I feel a flutter from the pacemaker as it is adjusted to get it right for me. Have the pacemaker definitely is my advice. Good luck
I have very similar conditions to yourself, basically electrical, LBBB etc and prepared to live with it. Then had a blackout. GP thought it low BP. 3 weeks later had a repeat whilst driving on motorway. Thankfully and miraculously did not hit another vehicle but crossed 3 lanes and hit central reservation. Car written off, CRTD implant and no further blackouts. Now Just over halfway mark to applying for return of licence and feeling pretty good health wise. All the best.
Good morning Scotsman53. Your doctors will tell you best. But from what you said it sounds like they are thinking your low heart rate is causing you to feel faint and sometimes pass out. Which it would. So the pacemaker will be to prevent this happening by the pacemaker kicking in when your heart rate drops too low. So you might still be able to drive after a while once they are happy the pacemaker has solved the problem. Brian
Hi Scotsman, you can choose not to drive. You can also choose not to have a pacemaker, but if you are advised that you need a pacemaker by a qualified medic you would probably do well to heed that advice. I have had a pacemaker for the past 7 years and only had to notify the DVLC and could continue driving no problem. I have since chosen to stop driving but not because of the pacemaker. Hope that helps. Good luck.
My husband used to pass out, it was worried and we found out after a 7 day holter that his heart was stopping for 22 seconds each episode so they put in a pacemaker in 2015 and he has his life back, operation is simple done with local anaesthetics within a couple of hours and your home, you get pacemakers checks which is like a big loop put over you attached to a machine and it somehow connects to your pacemaker. Because his pacemaker my husband was scared of needles yet he said he didn’t feel anything.
Thanks to all those who understood what I was asking and encouraged me to go ahead get the pacemaker, that's what I'll do. I probably shouldn't have mentioned driving, of course it's important to me but it's not the central issue and that obviously confused some folk.
I’m at a bit of a loss as to why you need a loop recorder in the first place as your cardiologist knows your problem? I had a loop recorder fitted prior to my pacemaker because I was getting palpitations, no dizzy spells or passing out but the recorder showed that I needed one with type 1&2 heart block. The only advice I would give you is to leave the recorder in place once they put your pacemaker in, they will give you a choice whether to take it out or leave it there. I decided to have my loop taken out and the scar was worse after they took it out as they had to “dig” it out and it was really sore for a few weeks after. The pacemaker procedure is really quick and nothing to worry about, in case you’re worried .
The consultant is guessing about the cause, I could have opted for a pacemaker right away but then I'd have to wait a year from the last incident to drive where as if the loop recorder confirms the cause I'll only have to wait a week from getting the pacemaker. Thanks for the advice to leave the LR in, nobody else has said anything like that.
I was in a similar situation 6 years ago but my heart stabilised with the meds. Main one is Entresto. Driving is a big part of my social life and to have to give it up would finish me. Best wishes anyway
its the collapses that cause the real danger as you can’t be sure when and where these will happen and if as mine did, they become more frequent, this danger increases. One of my collapses did leave me black and blue after hitting a radiator so please consider this
I totally understand your question. I have not driven for some time bea I black out occasionally. I have surrendered my license and I’m waiting for an ablation in the hope that this will enable me to drive again. I can tell you that not driving is extremely inconvenient. Currently my husband is unable to drive because of abdominal surgery and I feel marooned at home. I guess it depends where you live, if there is good public transport nearby and if totally shopping on line works for you. I feel I have lost my independence and any semblance of social life that I may wish to pursue without being taken like a small child. Not driving also means that when my husband is fit we are unable to share driving on long distance journeys. If I had the option, I would go for the pacemaker, no question about it for me. I hope whatever decision you make is right for you and brings relief from this illness.
I have the identical medical issue and I have a pacemaker. Passed out 10 years ago from low pulse/heart block. I will be getting a new pacemaker next month. 10 year life. I would never give up driving. And why would you want the possibility of fainting while out in public. A pacemaker is a no brainer. Get it and enjoy life and freedom.
A pacemaker will stop you passing out, whether behind the wheel or not. Think of the scenario of walking along a busy pavement (without the pacemaker) and passing out and falling into the traffic and getting run-over. I know which I'd do!
Pacemaker will transform your life, removes the worry about "possibly" passing out and you can drive with one! Sleep better, inspection annually once bedded in - No question, Mine is also a heck of a talking point as you are bionic which fascinates children! . Only thing you have to consider is being near strong magnetic items for too long ( microwave is the worst btw) as the alarm may go off, which is a surreal experience!!
I am so pleased you are quite informed about the conduction system of the heart. I am a medic but reired as G.P. few years ago. I had a pacemaker implanted on 22.2.2000 due to complete heart block.Like you about 9 years before I showed signs of left bundle branch block but between that and the implant, cardiologist in his wisdom did not follow up as protocol. The implant of pace maker could have been avoided. Things have improved a lot and we learnt a lot from our mistaakes. I am surprised that you have been told that driving is not allowed after pacemaker. I started driving 2 weeks after the pace maker and that was 24 years ago. Is there anything I have missed?
Re. not driving. It depends how much you rely on your car; how much you enjoy driving and what the public transport is like where you live. I had to stop driving for 6 months and really missed it. I didn't want to shop online so struggled with heavy stuff.
I had my pacemaker fitted about 24 hours after passing out and was told not to drive for 1 week, but had to inform DVLA and my insurance company. It was a few weeks before DVLA got back to me to say that my licence was not being revoked, but I drove anyway after the initial week.
As for whether or not you should get the pacemaker - it's up to you to decide (with guidance from your cardiologist of course), but I would say that it's too dangerous not to. My pacemaker has changed my life, and I can do whatever I want without worrying about it.
Just get the pacemaker .they are no problem to get implsnted and you wont even know its there. If your lucky enough to have this without cost just grab the chance. I have a friend who was an olympicsilver medalist and now in hislate 50s has a similar device that shocks his heart if it stops. He enjoys riding his bike still but cannot ride on big hills as he has only about 2 seconds to get off if his heart hgart goes off !!.
Hi Scotsman53, I have also been in a similar position, wondering whether to carry on without but with the restrictions of not driving and not travelling abroad, for 6 months on a waiting list or have pacemaker fitted straight away. I concluded it was better to just get it done, and not have the other restrictions. I have not blacked out or had debilitating effects but was diagnosed with sinus node dysfunction with bradycardia and pauses of up to 5 seconds. Didn’t know I had an issue until low HR identified after another routine medical procedure. For me it was getting my head round do I actually need a pacemaker but told my condition would worsen over time and result in unexpected blackouts so the thought of that happening half way up a mountain or even at the top of the stairs , was enough to make me think. I hope you make the decision that is right for you. Btw I’m recovering well , 11 days post implant and walking about 4 miles a day.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Whether to have pacemaker or not.
Pacemaker blues!!
Heart failure and pacemaker
Pacemaker 
