When to get a pacemaker fitted?

Hi all
I have been suffering bradycardia for over 12 months usual only lasting a few hrs at a time. But last week it lastfor 8 days sitting on 40bpm it wasn't good, spent alot of time asleep. Had a holter monitor put on and it showed I sat between 37 and 49. Cardiologist said I need a pacemaker but not yet. It may
make it worst. But I can't function with a pulse of 40m. He wants to see me in 12 months and do a repeat holter monitor. What do u think? I think I need it now? Give me your advise please Den

10 Comments

Ditto the second opinion

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-08-25 01:08:24

I can't count all of the highly educated idiots I have known in my lifetime. Ask around with people in your area to find a good cardio.

Most important - trust yourself. It's your body and your life. Do the research on your condition and the different therapies available. Nobody (including the doctors) can take as good care of you as you can.

Get second opinion

by rovercar - 2012-08-25 05:08:49

Depending on your location and health care plan, I would recommend getting a second opinion. Under my plan in the USA, I can choose to see a third-rate cardiologist at some backwater hospital or a world-class cardiologist at the best facility in the nation. I won't bore you with the details, but my second cardiologist was worlds ahead of my first one and had all the equipment and staff to make a proper diagnosis. Find the new doctor yourself, and tell your general practitioner whom you want to see. Getting a second opinion is a perfectly normal thing to do, and you should not encounter resistance.

Best wishes!

Playing the waiting game

by IAN MC - 2012-08-25 07:08:32

Hi Den A slow resting heart rate doesn't matter at all until you start getting symptoms. You are now getting symptoms ! It isn't normal to be tired and sleep away much of your 8 day spell of bradycardia.

Bradycardia has the annoying habit of getting worse rather than better ; it is highly possible that you will follow Mick's experience and a future attack may well make you feel light-headed with dizzy spells , the next stage is that you start fainting and that is when cardiologists rush for the PM because there is no alternative.

It has always surprised me how many people on here seem to have tolerated severe bradycardia with all the accompanying symptoms for considerable periods of time before insisting that their drs do something about it.

On balance, I would definitely get a second opinion and most importantly if your symptoms do worsen seek medical attention without delay.

Best of luck

Ian




Up to you

by ohiolaura - 2012-08-25 08:08:47

I agree,depends on where you are,hospitals and Dr wise.
If you feel the need,get other opinions.
I personally didnt,I didnt have the time too,I went in one ER,then to another hospital,for Brady,PVC's,sent home w/a holter monitor,told to follow up w/a Cardio.
Went home,sent monitor in,made appt,didnt make it to appt though.4 days later,before Cardio appt,in another ER,and sent to the #1 Cardiac hospital,and was told the next day my only option was a PM.
Happened that fast,and I didnt get another opinion,I just knew I was at the right place and they knew what was going on,so thats where I stayed until they could get me in for the PM.
No choice sometimes I suppose,its a different story for everyone I think.Get your info and listen to your gut.
Ask alot of questions here and w/your medical people.

What's w/ the "not yet"?

by donr - 2012-08-25 09:08:37

Den, how long does the Dr. want you to suffer before doing something about it? If it's bad enough to seek help, it's bad enough to fix!

Your profile says "Nurse" for occupation, so I assume you recognized the symptoms & their causes.

Like a lot of things, it never gets better w/ age! So, why should you put up w/ feeling like a zombie for another year.

What is your Dr. waiting for? You to be brought in unconscious on a gurney?

Get another opinion. A year is long enough to feel miserable!

Don

Hi

by Jax - 2012-08-25 09:08:39

I would absolutely get another opinion. Waiting around feeling the way you do is not an option. Some DRS!!!

years wait

by manaman - 2012-08-25 10:08:31

You absolutely need another opinion! I went thru the same stuff you did 20 years ago. I had a resting HR of 27! Doctor at ER said I WAS A WELL CONDITIONED ATHLETE and observed me three days. I really ticked him off when I told him I wanted another opinion! I went to another heart doctor that did ALL the test with monitors ( I wore so many monitors that the pads made me feel like I had been in a leach filled pond) the stress test, the neuclear test, tilt test ,etc.) Docotors says PM but would not put it in (said it was too risky) This from a leading heart hospital in N.C.). I then went to ANOTHER leader in heart problems (especilly by-pass and PMs) in N.C. and had the benefits of having my records lost, my PM checked (that I did not have at the time and being LOCKED in the doctors office because someone FORGOT I was there).
I then, through GODS intervention, was led to 1-800ASK__ __ __ __.. Here I wore a KING of QUEENS monitor for 21 days and IMMEDIATELY upon return to clinic to read tape was dignosed (on a Wednesday). Nurse came in showed me a REAL pacemake and asked me to be there the next day at 6:00AM. IMMEDIATELY after implant my color changed (from an ashy grey) to normal and I was able to function as a NORMAL human being! My pulse rates and blood pressure changed at once.
As you can see I actually had four (4) opinions! Don't put yourself through what I did (a total of 21 months). Get it done NOW, IT WILL NOT GET ANY BETTER!
My opinion is (after experiencing it) that a LOW heart rate is good for NOONE (young or old).
Best wishes, prayers
Cecil

Make it worse?

by cohara - 2012-08-25 11:08:45

Debbee,

How on earth could having your heart beat at a rhythm that allows you to function normally make anything worse? So what if the underlying rhythm deteriorates; it is bound to anyway over time.

It sounds as if there is some protocol that states a heart rate must be within certain parameters before pacemaker insertion is considered appropriate. Those parameters appear to be in need of a tweaking in your case. Having lived through having my heart slow drastically to the point of being in the state Don mentioned above--in and out of consciousness with imminent danger of going into cardiac arrest--I would get a bit aggressive with them. Ask your doctor, calmly and clearly, what conditions would warrant a pacemaker so you know what you are up against and then have a nice, assertive discussion with him. If he can't handle an informed discussion, he is definitely not a keeper. Run, don't walk, to the nearest exit. Once you do get a pacemaker, you'll need someone who listens and explains.

It can be hard to be assertive with medical professionals. After all, we've been groomed to let them get away with a God complex. As long as you keep your cool and keep yourself educated, you will be surprised at the results you can get. The only one who can really make sure you are taken care of properly is you.

Best of luck,
Carol

get another opinion

by Tracey_E - 2012-08-26 11:08:52

I'll echo the others, get another opinion. If you are symptomatic, it's time to do something about it. I can't imagine how having a pm to raise your hr could make it worse.

I had a similar dr, he wanted to put off getting the pm because I was so young. Well, imo, that was a really stupid reason! I went along with him because I was afraid of the surgery. I felt awful and basically slept away 2 years when I could have been feeling good. In the end, one day my hr dropped to the 20's (had been low 40's) and I almost died, ended up in emergency surgery. That is NOT the easy way to do it! If you are feeling symptoms, get a new dr, get another opinion, then fix the problem and get on with your life. I was 27 when I got my first one. I'm 45 now and feel great. It was the best thing I ever did and now waiting due to age is one of my hot buttons.

fight for your health

by bottle - 2012-09-01 01:09:22

i suffered for ages fighting for consciousness every day and being patronised by my drs the local pharmacist took my pulse rate and told me he had never taken anyones so low and to go to my dr the dr told me the machine that measures pulse was inaccurate and even though i felt like the walking dead i would have to wait a few months to see a cardiologist anyway i ended up being rushed in as an emergency and having a pm fitted 10 days ago im angry that i was left to suffer so long starting to feel better though have kidney infection but im not fainting we must demand good health care politely of course good luck

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Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.