Pacemaker upgrade to a CRT

[Nomis21]

53 pacemaker dependant after pace and ablate, total heart block.Never really thought what would happen if my 2 lead pacemaker failed? I know this is very very unlikely but just curious, can anyone enlighten me?

Also I'm planned to have a upgraded 3 lead CRT pacemaker due to HF (have appointment next week with cardiologist to discuss)

Guessing it's a complete swap of pacemaker models, how would they do this if this is the case If I have total heart block?

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I can see you posted 4 months ago now and I am presuming you have had your pacemaker changed if so I hope everything went well

Happy Christmas x

[Nomis21 in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi bekind,Thank you, yes I had the upgrade carried out to a CRT end of September, the procedure went well, the procedure was a bit uncomfortable adding the extra wire and even though the old 2 lead pacemaker was inserted only 2 years previous it was uncomfortable to remove.

Since then I have also had a cardioversion in the beginning of December and I'm now afib free after 2 yrs.

Do I feel the benefits? I am not as breathless and I can walk better without feeling it's a struggle, my bottom half does not feel like a lead weight when walking and I still get tired but not as much, so generally yes it's an improvement.

I have been suffering from a lot of ectopic beats since the cardioversion and a feeling of my heart being overworked so the pacemaker physiologist requested for my bisoprolol to be increased and so far so good although I still get the odd ectopic.

I had to go back to the pacemaker clinic not long after surgery so they could adjust the rate response on the pacemaker this helped with breathlessness and energy levels.

I feel better when I'm out walking but still at snails pace but can walk further without feeling il pass out.

Still have good days and bad days where I get tired, get a bit out of puff, feel odd heart rhythms and a bit delicate but overall it's been a benefit and I don't feel as dizzy throughout the day.

Will still need the meds for heart failure and have an echocardiogram planned mid Jan, hoping my EF has improved.

I have to say though my unfortunate situation over the last two and a half years has taken it out of me, literally not the same person, lost a lot of enthusiasm, energy and that get up and go feeling, probably don't realise how much it's affected me mentally also.

Thanks for your reply

Take care x

[BeKind28- in reply to Nomis21]

Hello

This is good to read that you have had it done and things have improved even though mine was a triple heart bypass I can relate to not feeling the same as I used to maybe this is something for some of is we have to adjust to and accept this is the new us

I hope you continue to improve and the good days start to outweigh any bad days that you maybe having x

[SchnauzerOtto]

Hi there Nomis21, I had a CRT fitted in March due to heart block. It took me a long time to recover, partly due to some complications with upper arm DVT etc but it was the Bisoprolol that really took the 'will to live' out of me. No energy, no enthusiasm, constant feeling of impending doom. With agreement from Cardiologist I weaned myself off it. Suddenly started doing (slow ish) 5k runs 3-4 times a week! Was put on Carvedilol instead and so far so good as energy levels and mood concern.

I hear a lot of people not tolerating certain beta blockers. Always worth a try to get them changed.

[Nomis21]

Hi thanks for this advice, will definitely bring up the subject next time I get the opportunity to speak to my ep.Many thanks 👍