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Heart, blood pressure & sleep monitor

Hi I recently was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrom and received a pacemaker  August 12, 2024.

I am curious if others are using devices such as fitbits (anything really!) to monitor sleep, blood pressure and heart rate and if you hanve recpmendations on good devices. 

SSS deveolped as a result of failed sleep apnea treatment. There are times when it's been recomended to not use CPAP for a few days and I want to know whats happening.

Also I want to know blood pr...

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Pacemaker Mediated Tachycardia

A V node ablation and dual chamber pacemaker about two years ago. Due to my age (80) and being very active, it took ages to get settings which enabled me to lead my normal life. However after constantly pestering my pacing clinic and making modifications to my exercise program , a compromise was reached.

However, over the last six months i've had three occassions where my heart has raced so high to the point of my almost fainting. My wife called an ambulance on two occasions bu...

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MRI Fail (on me?)

Went to finally get my MRI of the heart Tuesday.   Full stop.   They realized new pacer had only been put in for 5 weeks and 5 days.   
 

came back at the 6 week mark two days later.   Got in the tube and found out in the first few seconds that I had forgotten about some shoulder surgery 30 years ago.  Apparently there was a small piece of metal about 2-3 inches away from my pacer that I was unaware of.   this is my guess.  I will pick u...

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Amiodarone and PVC and Alcohol Ablation

From: Gemita
Date/Time: 2024-08-20 13:05:56

Subject: In response to your message

Update to alcohol ablation

by Debs59 - 2024-08-09 16:36:50

Ok...here we go again!  My alcohol ablation that was performed for my extra PVCs, help with my EF and CRTD to work better was once again partially successful.  The doc tried his best to get rid of the alpha PVC that causes all the problems BUT it did not work.  I stayed in hospital for two days an...

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ICD improvement timeline

Hi, I'm new to the group and would appreciate some information. I received my biventricular ICD three months ago. Heart failure most likely caused by Covid, or I believe it was the vaccine. I've had three adjustments so far. This week I had a pulmonary stress test, no results yet, and an echocardiogram which did show my EF has increased from 30, before ICD, to 40. I do feel somewhat better, good days and then a bad day but still having shortness of breath more often tha...

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Left Bundle Branch Pacemaker vs. Traditional Biventricular Pacemaker

I'm overdue for a pacemaker and now I'm getting a bit of a runaround from my EP.  I'm 58 and pretty active.  My EP has been involved in a trial for a "traditional" pacemaker compared to an LBB Pacemaker.  He initially talked about the trial but then told me he'd do the newer LBB pacemaker because he thought it would be best for my situation.  Now, as I try to schedule my implant, the EP is back to telling me I need to be in the trial and will rand...

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30 year old leads

Has anyone had their leads replaced? I need to replace them because I need a MRI. I was told my by my Pacemaker tech about 10 years ago that they would heat up durning a MRI.I got a new pacer in Jan this year and it is MRI compatable. My new pacermaker tech told me that if there were placed by U of Mich (which they were) they are probably ok for a MRI. I have tried to out what model my type and model number but my new pacer card on has BSX and no model number. U of Mich has been no help....

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Dual lead implant 12 days ago

Successful implant 12 days ago - no subsequent pain and healing well. Wound check in 2 days time.

Had a mechanical mitral replacement 16 years ago - went well, but have to take warfarin - joy!!

I'm a left hander and had the implant is on the left side (no one asked if I was left or right handed prior to surgery). Is that an issue for me going forward? Anyone in the same boat?

Thanks

 

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Syncope

Can the term "syncope" mean just "faintness and dizziness", or does it always imply complete loss of consciousness? I would be grateful for guidance on this.

After my recent (self-requested) review, I jumped through all the necessary hoops to obtain a copy of my review report from the NHS. I noted in two places that they had recorded my initial symptoms as "syncope", whereas my GP referral letter stated "faintness and SOB on exertion".

Other...

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bpm faster than pacemaker setting

Today my husband was feeling somewhat poorly. After a nap we took his blood pressure, which was slighlty elevated for him(140/85), but his heart rate was 66 bpm. His pacemaker is set at 60 bpm and we have never had it elevated like this before. 

He took a dose of bloodpressure medication and it brought it down. But his heart rate was 68. 

Is this a concern? He is feeling better even though his heart rate is still higher than normal for him. His medtronic pacemaker is a t...

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Concerned

Is it safe to have endoscopy worried it will affect my pacemaker as I'm 100% paced ?

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My 96 year old parent

Hello all I am new to the club. I am writing here in the group to ask has anyone 96 or older had a pacemaker put in? And if so can you give me info on how you are doing. The doc recommended my 96 year old dad to get a pacemaker do to his heart rate being 40 most of the time. He has been diagnosed with Bradycardia. We are skeptical because of his age and appreciate any suggestions that could help us. Thanks also for accepting me in club. Best wishes to all.

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Electronic Checkpoint

If one with pacemaker goes through an electric checkpoint like in an airport what should one expect? 

 

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Heart Pounding

After 9 months of pacemaker I woke up last night and had a feeling of my heart pounding. Is this something to follow with my doctor or is it normal?

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Hello, I'm a Newbie

Hello, I'm Quianna or Key. On 7/26, my heart stopped 4 a.m. and my husband did cpr and revived me. One day after they installed my device, my 4th grand child was born. I was born with a heart murmur which became worst over time. I will say this was a situation that has changed my life forever. I'm 50 years old as of Feb this year  and recieved my CRT device on August 1st. Looking forward to reading, learning and sharing. I'm healing nicely but it is quite uncomfortable and st...

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Holters or 12- lead ECG machines online marketplace

Hi

 I was wondering if any one has any experience with the Holter monitors or 3/6/12 lead ECG machines sold online marketplaces like EBay, Amazon or private sellers. I'm especially interested in knowing if any one has any experience with Contec manufacturers out of China, which sells a myriad of cardiac devices at very discounted prices. The manufacturer claims the products are state of the art and the digital filters on the holters and ECG machines can detect pacemak...

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Pacemaker

While reading these postings about what everyone had to deal with I decided to throw in my situation I have been dealing with for quite some time. My first pacemaker was in 2003 and 53 yrs old. It was a Medtronic. When I moved some years later, the new doctor decided to put a Boston Scientific pacemaker in. A few years later it was recalled and and had to be replaced. The one before that, in my opinion, caused an awful odor like chemical or metal under my left armpit but all my doctors and Bo...

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Bra problems! (Sorry)

Hi,

Newbie posting (sorry, again)

I am two weeks post Medtronic dual lead PM implant and I am really struggling in the evenings when I take my bra off. Obviously this is a necessity, as it's impossible to bath or shower whilst still wearing it (although I've considered wearing a bikini 👙 )

Have been sleeping in one of those soft sleep bra things for comfort, which I have to put on as soon as I've exited the shower, as I'm in considerable pain without any supp...

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airport scanners

Beware when traveling from the Provincetown,Mass. airport.(very small airport, only Cape Air flies there).  They only have a metal scanner. Because of my pacemaker was not allowed to walk though. Am pretty sure my shoulder, elbow and other marker i had would cause the machine to beep, madly. I  had to have a full body scan.  Pat down from head to shoes.  Was told i had to take off my shoes, told the gal i did not want to.  Said if she found something i would...

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24/7 MCL Heart Monitoring on iphone

Has anyone pursued the route of having the iphone determined a DME? I have 100% heart block. On my 3rd pacer and 1 new lead in 20 years. Cardio surgeon says I must keep my phone with my 24/7 though  transmissions are sheduled at 90 day intervals and occur seamlessly. As such, it seems I must have an iphone to use the monitoring app which means it is a DME. Anyone with insurance experience in most recent times know how to pursue this avenue so needed phone replacements are a covered expen...

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You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

Member Quotes

It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.