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Battery Life

I live in a third world country by choice. I am from South Florida. In 2017 I had my St.Jude pacemaker/defibrillator implanted and 90 days later I moved to Philippines.I found a Cardiologist at Makati Medial Ctr,Manilla who read  & printed out my reports every 6 months for 6 years now.  (cost @ $36.00)  My Rythem specialist in Florida told me to track the battery life and when it got to 6 Mo. remaining to plan on returning for a battery devise upgrade. About 2 years&nb...

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open heart surgery for a mitral valve when you have a pacemaker

Has any one out there had to have open heart surgery for a leaking mitral valve that has alredy got a pacemakerr? I certainly would like to hear from you.

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Learn Tab

Just noticed that the Learn tab on the bar above has been updated.  Don't know when this happened and I may not be terribly observant, but the FAQ section is now pretty good! Check it out before you answer a post on a subject that comes up a lot and save yourself the effort of giving out all the usual information.

May I contribute a bit of feedback on the 'web links' contained within the 'Learn' Tab? 

The pacemaker manufacturers don't in...

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New to having a PM

Hello. I am new to having a PM as the procedure was on Nov. 21, 2023.  I am a 51 year old female that is pretty active. I was diagnosed with synope and 3rd degree heart block.  I had wrecked my car on June 28th due to an episode and a loop recorder was implanted and then another episode happened on Nov. 18th and on arrival at the ER, my loop recorder was scanned and found the problem as 3rd degree heart block, so as I stated before I had a PM implanted on Nov. 21st.  The p...

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ICD Safety

Just had a Gallant DR ICD implanted from  Abbott Labs. I am concerned about EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) effect on my device from mototcycle riding.

Does anyone have any info on this subject?

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Generator Change Nerves

Hi folks-

I am having my 2nd generator change on Thursday. I am feeling nervous, mostly because I have two little kids. Both when I had the device implanted and when I had my first battery change, I didn't have any dependents, so I wasn't that nervous.

I know it'll be fine because I have a great doctor.

Anyone else feel nervous?

Uma

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Pacemaker placement

Hi, I am 47 years old, My pacemaker was installed at the end of March after a few episodes of Asystole and a 12 second pause but no real cardiac diagnosis prior. My question is perhaps in the wrong section but wasn't sure where was appropriate. I have lost about 60 pounds since my pacemaker was installed and because of this there is literally no "meat" between the pacemaker and my skin.. I feel like I need to constantly protect it because it is right under my skin.. I guess I am...

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How do you know when your Minute Ventilation is set right?

I started out with MV @ 10, then 12, then to 14, now back down to 13.

When set at 14 I felt it was way to sensative and would go to my Upper Rate Setting of 140 to easy and stay there. 

Trying to pay attention to my breathing (aerobic threshold) with breathing thru nose & talk tests. I use Power Meters for all my rides, but I recently changed from a Single Sided Meter to dual: I discovered I had a Power Imbalance. (Left leg was dominant @ approx 58/42%) So that threw...

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Post-op recovery/pain advice

Hey all,

My partner (congenital complete heart block) is 6 months out from a box change (his third) and although the wound has healed he's experiencing a lot of pain/sensitivity in the area, so I wanted to reach out and ask about others' experiences.

How long was the surgical wound bothering you?

The surgery was pretty intense (more than we expected, as the surgeons decided to both remove some historic scar tissue and bury the box deeper than his others had been) but...

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Smart turbo trainer (cycling)

I had my CRT-D implanted last week and already thinking about cycling again. To start again I want to get on my Elite Smart turbo trainer with Zwift. Does anyone know if there are any issues using a smart trainer with the pacemaker? Thanks!

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Any Leadless pacers out there?

Considering the dual Avenir in late spring at Cleveland since they are experienced with it.

Has anyone got one - single or dual? How was surgery?  Did they remove the old leads?

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email notification

this morning Dec 18,2023 i received finally an email saying a comment had been posted to my message.

Someone was either paying attention to our comments or they were on vacation over the weekend.

new to pace

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Pericarditis

I am a 72 yr old nationally ranked athelete who had a PM implanted 3 months ago for total AV block.  There were a series of minor complications from the surgery (punctured lung, repositioned lead, etc) but nothing major.  After the surgery I did not feel right. I had multiple symptoms: flutter, Thumps in chest, lightheadedness, and tightness/heaviness in my chest. They changed some PM settings (DDI to VDDR) and the flutters and Thumps went away. But the tightness/irritation in my ch...

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Email??

Thank you all for quick confirmation about email.

So,my email appear in Spam and now that I want to give my consent it does not allow me to click HERE to confirm my intention to stay? I try my iPhone and my iPad both are saying "insecure" and that is the end!??

Any suggestions how to proceed? I know I got one month before being unsubscribed,but I'm not procrastinator ❤️ 

many thanks 🙏🏻 

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Strange email

Hello 👋🏻 all

Has anyone received an email...very long one. ...informing us that Pacemaker Club has been taken over by ForHearts Worldwide? It's written very well and for that reason I will have open mind !!!!??/

Back in my last post I mention my newly discovered issue.....mild  dilated ascending Aorta 🫀{39mm}   I just have my normal checkup and discussed this concern 🙁 in length with my cardiologist. So...all is well with my Pacemaker....replacing time left at l...

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New to having an ICD

Hi

 

Im 47 and from Blackpool UK. I've just had an ICD fitted due to VT heart rhythms and diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Weeks prior to knowing this outcome I was swimming at a competitive level both in pool and open water. I was an active member of a triathlon club and walking the Lake District Wainwright summits. 

I know it's early days, 2 weeks post op, but I'm trying to look what I may be able to do in the future after I get the fir...

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Hello and nice to meet you all

Hi

 

Im 47 and from Blackpool UK. I've just had an ICD fitted due to VT heart rhythms and diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Weeks prior to knowing this outcome I was swimming at a competitive level both in pool and open water. I was an active member of a triathlon club and walking the Lake District Wainwright summits. 

I know it's early days, 2 weeks post op, but I'm trying to look what I may be able to do in the future after I get the fir...

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Pacemaker

Had ECG today just reading my discharge paperwork ,says his ECG showed complete heart block with pacing spikes noted on V4 V6  ,does heart block have anything to do with the ablation I had ? 

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Hawthorn berry

ANOTHER UPDATE:  DR. cleared me for using Hawthorn Berry extract.  Am feeling just fine.  Am so grateful to each of you.

Anyone ever tried Hawthorn Berry for the heart?  Am starting to hear about it but wondered if it actually works or is a new "health rumor"   Several practitioners support its use.  

Hawthorn Berry is supposed to help heal and regulate the heart, etc.   Not taking it yet, but might try it. 

Anyone attempt it...

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pacemaker leads life

I had a dual lead metronic pacer put in March 1997.  In 2013 the ventrical lead was replaced.  Any idea how long I can expect the atrial lead to last.  I am 80 years old and appx 16 months out from a battery replacement.

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You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic man.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.