Pacemaker percentage working heart

I recently had a three month followup on my new pacemaker. My heart is working 47% of the time in the upper chambers and 99% in the lower chambers. With 53% pacemaker pacing the doctor was totally surprised by this. He really thought my upper would be around 30-35 and bottom chambers 20 and above. It’s good the bottom chambers are pacing 99% due to it being the most danger, but still can’t wrap the pacing upper at 53% of the time.

Why is my question Dr’s totally ignored me until I got this one and told him...and yes I did do this...I asked the Doctor is he was the type who thought women were just over emotional, then I took his hand and patted it...and said...you are okay here is a pill or it’s just hormones, etc... there, there...or Doctor are you going to listen to what I have to tell you. Cause if you are this other type of doctor, I quit. I have been through that mountain, been there and done. He listened.

Now, what happened to my heart muscle, sa node to get where I am now?  There is more. When I was 38 yrs old they found a heart murmur before a major surgery. They took tests (echo-cardiogram). Nothing said afterwards, scheduled surgery went as planned. I woke in ICU.

Fast forward...six months. I called wanted to know about the tests results since my primary, surgeon, or cardio doc did not call to tell me anything or a follow up on results.  Nurse that told me the results said I had (only after a moment of silence) that I had mild regur in mitra valve. I had a funny feeling...she was not telling me something, so I got the results from records.
You’d think at 38 yrs old they would have jumped up and down screaming get that woman in here asap...35% infraction rate, heavy calcified aorta, kenosis, tricupsid and mitral valve reg, and heart murmur...suggested reduction of meds or otherwise something be done...it looked to other doctors that I had a silent heart attack or incarnietsis..spelling sorry.

Years later after trying to figure out why I suddenly would get dizzy, after my heart slammed in my chest and race to a point of weakness in the store etc...then other tests showing sa node not working right...why did they wait or ignore and said You’re fine...go your merry way? sucks. Now stop whinning ....I guess I am lucky at 53% and not at 100% pacing...and I am thankful...just wrapping my head arouind it all and accepting the fact I got a controlled device in my upper chest making my heart work better knowing I have to live with it..I want normal...and nearly so now, but just got to get it through my head it’s okay...live life, go on and do the things life has out there...and I do for the most part, but there are down days like today and it gets me.  Ttime to put big girl pants on and get on with life and stop whining.

Thanks for listening...just had to get this out.

3 Comments

correction

by Loriann - 2012-07-10 08:07:51

the 99% is my own heart working and 1 % being the pacing from pacemaker. sorry

Being female

by cohara - 2012-07-10 09:07:46

I understand your need to make sure the doctor is listening to you. My heart block came on very suddenly. I ended up in the emergency room with paramedics who mentioned right bundle block to the nurse. She didn't see what they were talking about on the ECG she ran and shrugged it off. I found out later what they were referring to. The ER doctor suggested a nice anti-anxiety medication would fix me right up. Fast forward a month and the nurse practitioner working with the neurologist I was referred to (I had pinched nerves as well so my doctor was having trouble figuring out what was happening) informed me that I needed a good psychiatrist after I told her that I counted 32 episodes in one day. I was experiencing Adams Stokes episodes. Three days later my heart is to the point where I keep slipping in and out of consciousness and end up fitted with a pacemaker.

The nurses spread around my story. They were upset and stated if I had been a man, I wouldn't have had to almost die in order to be taken seriously.

I have little tolerance for archaic attitudes about women. I fired the neurologist even before I knew what was going on. So glad to hear you made sure that your doctor listens to you.

I didn't really understand what my condition was until after I was discharged from the hospital. I had the misfortune of having my heart shut down on Thanksgiving. They implanted my little friend, gave me a bare minimum of information, and sent me on my way. It was up to me to piece the nightmare I had lived through together on my own. This site has been a Godsend in helping me do that.

Without pacemaker technology I would have been dead long ago. We both are benefiting from modern science. Besides, what really is normal? I can do everything I used to do except climb high tension wires or have a MRI. Doesn't seem like such a bad trade off to me.

It is normal to have anxiety after receiving a pacemaker. However, once you see that the machine is making life easier, you come to appreciate it more. As for your doctors not talking to you, make them or replace them. I finally found a cardio who listens and communicates and hired him on the spot. I hope you can find one who will explain everything to you.

By the way, I pace 85% in the atrium and 97% in the ventricle. It really isn't that bad.

Vent all you want. Putting feelings into words helps.


Carol

Ill toast to that

by rosemarys granddaughter - 2012-07-10 10:07:34

Im so happy to see other women experience this garbage and then throw it right back at them. I have been through this scenario several times since recieving my pacemaker and have said good bye to 3 doctors in 7 years. I think we all need to enpower ourselves with as much information as possible and then with confidence ask for the answers we deserve and not back down until we get them. My pacemaker paces around 40 % of the time and I usually forget I have it unless something is off. Venting is what we are all here for. bet wishes RMGD

You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

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I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.