Did I hurt my pacemaker????

I was climbing a mountain today and slipped face first onto big rocks. I felt the big rock hit me right where my pacemaker was put in. It also sounded like it hit my pacemaker.

Can my pacemaker be damaged?
How can I tell?

Thanks so much!!

3 Comments

Fell On Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2011-08-19 09:08:47

Hello Jbruner7,

I seriously doubt that you damaged the pacemaker. There are a couple of leads from the PM to the heart that could possibly (but not likely) be damaged.

Based on my experience, of falling and hitting hit my PM on very hard ground, about 4 months ago, you can knock it loose from its moorings. In my case a couple of days after I took the fall I was lying down and I noticed that my PM would turn up on its side when I was in certain positions. Doesn't hurt, but can be uncomfortable. I have checked with the Dr and he suspects I broke loose the sutures that were holding the PM in place. I was concerned about the leads but he says nothing is likely to happen to them. I've had two routine checkups since that eventful day and the PM is working fine.

As for how you can tell, a lot depends on why you got the PM and its settings. If you know what the low set point is, I suggest that you do a resting heart rate check. If the heart rate is below the low set point, that could indicate a problem with a lead. I know of no other way you can check it yourself. Maybe others will.

Since our PM is one very durable little piece of machinery, I doubt that the fall would hurt it. However for peace of mind you may want to let the Dr take a look.

Good luck,

Smitty

Smitty...

by jbruner7 - 2011-08-20 12:08:56

...thanks for the peace of mind. :)

The real damage

by ElectricFrank - 2011-08-21 12:08:36

I fell once an landed on my large camera. The real damage was to my dignity. LOL

frank

You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.