pacemaker failure

My father has been told his pacemaker is failing and he is not a candidate for replacement. He is 91, his pulse is 50, he has SOB and is weak. What are other symptoms I can expect as the end nears? Do pacemakers suddenly stop? I am caring for him in my home.

5 Comments

QUESTION IT

by pete - 2009-08-03 02:08:47

I have never ever heard of any doctor telling a patient they are not a candidate for replacement. I think you need a second opinion. It just does not sound right to me. The oldest person I know of who had a pacemaker was 108. This kind of thing could open up a can of worms. Good luck Cheers Peter

pacemaker failing

by papaknight - 2009-08-03 04:08:58

You should ask just what is the reason the PM is failing and demand a copy of his records. You also have the right to demand the pacemaker back as well. The operation to change the unit is not that big of a deal so I would suggest a second opinion from someone very experienced in this device and the problems associated with it. Do not trust the manufacturers representative as they will feed you information that is wrong and may be covering up a problem with their device. It ain't over till its over so hang in there and keep fighting ..we all wish you well.
Papaknight

50bpm

by Hot Heart - 2009-08-03 08:08:06

hi there so sorry to hear your news. thinking about it though, i think 50bpm without a pacemaker is probably quite good for someone of his age. i had been functioning for many years so i am told with a pulse of about 40. so it is possible that his rate is now comparible with someone of his age who hasnt got hear problems. i am sure that someone will correct me here if i am wrong!

take care and best wishes HH

When the Battery Dies

by SMITTY - 2009-08-03 12:08:40

Hi karen,

Pacemakers do not suddenly stop. As the battery gets weak it goes into what I call a self preservation mode. By that I mean some functions will stop, such as keeping a record of the hearts function, or anything else that uses power and is not absolutely necessary for it to keep helping the heart. The pacemaker can continue to operate in this mode for weeks or months. Of course the pacemaker will eventually stop and when that happens your father's heart rate will decrease to what it woud be if he did not have a pacemaker right now. But not even that means instant death. Our heart has a built in backup system that will keep the heart functioning for some amount of time without help from the pacemaker.

His doctor can tell you approximately what his heart rate will be without the pacemaker as they get that number each time he has a pacemaker checkup. That low rate may be enough to sustain life for a considerable amount of time. At some point he will go into heart failure but that may be weeks or months and other body organs whose failure could cause death before heart failure is the cause.

I suggest that you discuss all of this with his doctor as he knows your father's medical history and should be able to tell you what to expect.

For more information on this subject on the left side of this an index on various subjects. Look in the one labeled Batteries & Leads. This subject is discussed in several of the postings there.

I wish your father the best.

Smitty

pacemaker failure

by karenkerr - 2009-08-04 10:08:26

Thank you all for your comments. Peter, there are many reasons a replacement wasn't advised. One was the condition of his lungs. His doctor has always been agressive in treating him. I trust her on this.

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