Pacemaker questions

[KiwinLondon]

Hi,

I've had a pacemaker fitted a week ago and have some questions I hope other members can help me with who have also had one fitted.

- My resting heart rate has increased from 40bpm to 60bpm - notice anything different in energy levels?

- The pacemaker ID card is paper but I'd like a plastic version to keep inside my phone cover - does one exist?

- Is there any need for a Medic Alert bracelet/card?

Many thanks in advance

[SchnauzerOtto]

Hi, I've had my pacemaker for about 9 months. My base line is 55bpm and I tend to feel more energetic, especially after weaning off Bisoprolol.

At Barts they are printing the pacemaker ID on plastic cards, so it definitely exists.

I have decided to wear a medical alert rubber bracelet, not sure it'd make a lot of difference in an emergency but you'd never know. A Cardiologist I spoke to thought it was a good idea to wear one.

[Pouchielou1972]

I have an ICD, so a pacemaker and a defibrillator...my resting heart rate is generally around 62, but without the Bisoprolol would possibly be higher.I was given a plastic pacemaker ID card from the get go, but a friend of mine was given a paper one despite both being under the same pacing clinic which is strange! I just advised her to request a plastic one.

I have a metal ID bracelet, as I wanted it to blend in with my other jewellery. I like that it's always with me incase I'm on my own and something happened. I have my condition written on the outside making with my device and inside is my cardiac hospital name & hospital number, my name and husband's number.

[Thaifan]

I have had my pacemaker since July 2022. It is set at 50 to 140. I use.a small plastic case, like some companies use for id cards and keep it in my phone case. Yes a medic alert is useful as my understanding is ,if ever needed , a defibrillator machine cannot be used with a pacemaker. Mine also has medication I am on and emergency contact.

[Buddy00 in reply to Thaifan]

A defibrillator can definitely be used when you have a pacemaker. I asked this while I was in hospital.

[L8Again in reply to Buddy00]

Agreed. Posters need to take care with the accuracy of their posts as ‘I read it somewhere comments can cost lives’.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

(Source: BHF)

[Buddy00]

There are a few settings available to tweak at the pacing clinic , not just your base heart rate. Contact them and see what they say.

[L8Again]

Surely, the reason for a Medic Alert bracelet/token is that it informs, say, an ambulance crew of your medical situation should they attend you whilst you are unconscious. Doctors can also access your medical history by calling the Medic Alert number. This information can include details of your pacemaker type and settings. The Medic Alert team will happily advise you re the information that you would be advised to include: eg; any drugs that you are on.

[EMBoy]

My pacemaker was set at 60 bpm to begin with, and I started to feel the effects straight away. I had a lot more energy and stopped having dizzy spells, and generally felt better. After the surgery had healed, I just wanted to get on with life, but my wife made sure I didn't overdo it, and my boss insisted I take a few weeks off work to recover. It took about 3 months for everything to settle down, and at my 3 month check-up they reduced my bpm to 55.

My pacemaker "passport" is paper, but is in a plastic folder and has been in my wallet for 5.5 years now without any deterioration. I didn't know that plastic versions were available.

A medic alert bracelet is probably a good idea. I have one with all my medical details on it, but don't always wear it.

[Vegart]

Hello, Kiwi in London. If you cannot get hold of a waterproof Pacemaker ID Card, then you could protect it by putting it in a transparent adhesive flap sleeve the same size of the card. You could get one from a stationers, or from an inline supplier like Amazon or Ebay. Wearing a necklace version of medical info holder might be better: if you were to collapse, paramedics or helpers could readily see that, and if a defibrillator was to be used they would see the pendant when they open up clothing to attach the pads. Were you to be put in the Recovery Position a bracelet version might get in the way.