vasovagal syncope

I'm new to this site but from reading posts feel like the insight from people with experience would be enlightening. Does anyone have experience with getting a pacemaker to correct drops in heart rate during syncope episodes? I've had 6 or so syncope episodes over the past 10 years or so. The concern is the amount of time my heart rate and BP stay dangerously low (11 seconds last time). My doctor says I need a pacemaker. Does anyone know of other treatments for this? I'm not sure at 53 years old that a pacemaker for this is the way I should go. I also play music with electric equipment and wonder if any of this would interfere with a pacemaker. Any insight is appreciated.

5 Comments

Vasovagal syncope

by bon - 2012-03-01 01:03:16

Thanks for the information. It helps to hear other's stories.

Like you, I've passed out in response to being sick, but also with having blood drawn, a migraine and no apparent reason. The Dr. says any stress on the body can be a trigger, also psychological events.

I also have a cavernous angioma that the Dr. has been watching for a few years via MRI's, but that too won't be possible after the PM. No change is expected, but you never know. damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Thanks again.




Vasovagal Syncope

by Moner - 2012-03-01 12:03:20

Hello Bon,

I too recently had a pacemaker implanted (kicking and screaming) due to the same condition.

I only faint when I come down with a stomach virus. This time 1/6/12, when I went to the ER, they kept me overnight and the cardiologist and EP advised me that I needed a PM, if I didn't get it I wouldn't be able to drive for 3 months and I would have to sign a AMA papers.

I passed out for 25 seconds, and they were worried that I wouldn't come out of it.

I've had a total of 4 episodes over a span of 20 years.

My EP said, even if it only happened once, it's not normal occurance.

My EP also told me there is no medication to correct this.

As far as playing electronic equipment, I hope somebody out there can weigh in.

Moner

2nd opinion

by bon - 2012-03-02 03:03:52

Thanks for the advice. The PM is the 2nd opinion. The 1st Dr. recommended a BP for migraines. Thus the 2nd opinion. My syncope episodes are not always triggered by migraines, sometimes they occur for no reason. Also, my BP tends to be low and drops with the heart rate during syncope, so that idea seemed counter productive to me. the PM seems so far to make the most sense. This forum has offered many good comments and experiences to consider. I am grateful. Thanks again.

SYNCOPE

by AHONEYBUNNY - 2012-03-02 10:03:49

I USED TO GET SYNCOPE ALSO.
SINCE I HAD MY PACEMAKER INSTALLED, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED SYNCOPE.
YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE MATTER THOROUGHLY OR GET A SECOND OPINION.
ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE PACER SAVED MY LIFE A LOT OF TIMES.

Medications

by JustKrs - 2012-03-03 11:03:29

I have VasoVagal Syncope also.
Sometimes i black out as frequency as once a week... sometimes i just have "pre-syncope" symptoms but dont fully black out. But no matter what I usually have low pulse for days afterwards (as in a pulse less than 45 for up to 10 days after a blackout)

We are at this point considering a pacemaker for me for the first time. But that's after two years of trying combinations of medications and such.

Do you have an EP Cardiologist? At a teaching hospital?

The first line of care is usually high fluids (like 4 liters of water or juice a day anything with caffiene doesnt count towards the 4). And high salt, provided you dont have high blood pressure already which would counter indicate that.

The second line is often prescription compression socks... to prevent blood from pooling in your lower legs.. more blood actually circulating means less likely to black out. For some people these alone can make a huge difference.

The next step up is usually medications
Midodrine is a medication taken three times a day which has helped me alot and the only side effect is that my head gets all tingley feeling for a few minutes right when it kicks in.

Fludrocortisone is another med many folks are on. It acts kinda like salt making your body retain some fluids because more fluids = more blood volume = less blackouts or at least less severe symptoms.

there are other medications used depending on people's specific situations

They even put me in cardiac rehab for 2 months to see if we could gradually increase the amount i was able to exert without blacking out... while still being monitoring the whole time.


And some people have pacemakers for it. Like I said.. my docs and I are considering a pacemaker for me now.. but I'd recommend at least trying the meds first, especially if you need to have regular MRIs.

I was told that with the pacemaker i will have i will be able to have an MRI - but not for the first 12 months after i have the pacemaker put in.. so that the leads are firmly set.
After that its a big "to do" to have an MRI, but its possible BECAUSE i wouldnt be 100% paced.

so talk to your doc about ALL your options!

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