Bradycardia - Do I need a pacemaker

[MikethePilot]

I am an 80 year old male in reasonable health but with both high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes, both of which are well controlled with my medication. My current concern relates to a heart condition(s)

At the age of 55 and due to my profession, I was required to undergo an ecg, which disclosed bradycardia and an ectopic beat, neither of which I was previously aware of nor which affected me in any way. I was neither treated nor medicated thereafter even though ecgs were carried out every 6 months until I reached the age of 60 and retired. My next ecg was carried out by my GP at the age of 78, when he discovered atrial flutter and referred me for a trans thoracic echocardiogram (TTE). That was carried out in February of 2023 and confirmed atrial flutter, mild aortic stenosis and heart block. No action was taken other than to recommend yearly monitoring. So the next TTE was carried out in February 2024 and again confirmed atrial flutter, and now moderate aortic stenosis; it was then recommended that I undergo a cardiac ablation.The ablation was carried out in May 2024 and deemed a success, but then followed by a 7 day Holter monitor, a further TTE, a stress ecg and 2 angiograms. The Holter monitor results showed a minimum heart rate of 30, a maximum of 120 and an average of 48. The first angiogram showed severe coronary atheroma and the second moderate mid-right coronary artery stenosis.

I now feel some fatigue, particularly first thing in the morning when showering and dressing, but less so during the day.

So my question is would I benefit from a pacemaker? Grateful for your thoughts.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

No-one on here is able to provide you with the answer you are seeking, since we are discouraged from giving medical opinions, although some might be able to comment based on their own personal experience, which of course may not relate to your situation. However you could discuss this with the BHF Heart Helpline nurse as below who may be able to give you a view. However the real answer should come from the cardiology team who carried out your tests and procedures last year since they are the experts, but if you have been discharged by them, from your GP.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[MikethePilot in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for pointing that out and for your suggestion of contacting BHF nurses.

[MikethePilot in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you again. Saw my cardiologist last night and now on the list to have a pacemaker fitted

[L8Again]

To reiterate what has already been said, this is one for your medical advisers. Both my wife and daughter have pacemakers. One thing that I have learned over the last 50 years is that hearts are very complicated pieces of anatomy. Cardiologists and electrophysiologists often want to try different pathways. My daughter, for example, needs a third pacemaker lead which, sadly, is not possible because of her previous ablations and the resultant scar tissue.

My wife who is in her mid 70s had a pacemaker fitted 16 months ago. She was suffering from ectopic beats; a low heart rate and TLoC. After 4 years of getting nowhere, we went private and she had a loop recorder fitted. This detected 2 TLoC episodes in one day and this provided unequivocal proof that she needed a pacemaker. An incidental finding was paroxysmal AF. Her AF burden has increased as a result of her heart being paced. Her heart is now paced at a minimum of 60bps.

[MikethePilot in reply to L8Again]

Thank you again. Saw my cardiologist last night and now on the list to have a pacemaker fitted

[L8Again in reply to MikethePilot]

My niece's husband is a SFO with BA on 777s. He was fitted with a pacemaker 3 months ago and he expects to go back to work next month. I hope that wait isn't too long.

[TheMiloKid]

as others have said we can’t advise you. My situation arose in 2007 when I had my first pacemaker fitted. I had blacked out twice whilst on holiday which was very scary. My heart rate around that time when checked was about 40. I was feeling low on energy. We got home and at the airport people with walking aids were faster than me! I went to the doctor who said I was fine! If I experienced any other symptoms get off to A&E. The next day I experienced another energy dip so off to A&E I went. My heart rate was at 27. I was admitted immediately and a pacemaker fitted the next day. I hope you get sorted. Please do talk with a BHF nurse and your own GP with any worries. Best of luck.

[MikethePilot in reply to TheMiloKid]

Thank you so much. I shall do as you suggrst

[authun]

I have a number of heart problems and have always felt better after following their advise and procedures. In my case, an CRT-D was fitted. A friend of mind who was always fit and active noticed he too was finding taking the dog for a walk more difficult. He was diagnosed with bradycardia and had a pacemaker fitted and relucantly admits that he feels more energetic now. I say relucantly because his prefered remedy was to hug a large tree and channel the cosmic energy through his body by grounding his feet in the earth, without success I might add.