1st. Dr. Appointment

OK. This is all new to me. I had my first appointment since having the pacemaker put in. I was disappointed, I didn't see the doctor, only his assistant, however they were all friendly, but seem rushed, and I didn't feel comfortable asking to much. Here is what they sent me home with, please tell me how much longer do I have? (I'm 87, so I'm pulling straws already) Seriously, only when one of you dear souls have the time, I'd appreciate any input. God Bless!

Current Problems: Atrial fibrillation 427.1
Assessment: Sinus bradycardia: symptomatic. Sinus Pauses 6-7 seconds with Syncope S/P Dual Chamber PPM 3/22/2013 normal device function AP 17.6 VP 0.4 Bried attach/pac's less than 3 seconds - asymptomatic ekg sr 68 with Left BBB 150ms (old) continue current plan call if any changes remote moritor in 3 months f/u/ 6 months.

6 Comments

How long do you have?

by donr - 2013-05-01 11:05:55

How long is a piece of string. Same Question.

Let's interpret your report:

Current Problems: Atrial fibrillation 427.1 - A-Fib - your Atria - top chambers of heart beat too fast for short periods of time. 427.1 is code used to identify A-Fib for Medicare.

Sinus bradycardia: symptomatic. - means your sinus Node (SA) that is the master clock for your heart runs too slowly & you sense it.

Sinus Pauses 6-7 seconds- Means your SA Node pauses for 6-7 seconds at random times - essentially you go w/o a heart beat during that time.

Syncope - means you pass out.

S/P Dual Chamber PPM 3/22/2013 - identifies your PM & implant date.

normal device function - means your PM is functioning normally - at least it is functioning correctly according to its settings.

AP 17.6 VP 0.4 - Your Atria (top chambers) are functioning by the PM 17.6% of the time & the Ventricles are functioning by the PM .4% of the time. Not bad at all!

pac's less than 3 seconds - PAC's (Premature Atrium contractions) approx 3 seconds at a time, meaning that the Atria contract earlier than they should in short runs of about 3 beats or less. Not a particularly big deal. You may or may not sense them & they are a nuisance, not a serious problem

asymptomatic ekg sr 68 Your EKG shows a sinus rate (Heart beat rate) of 68 per minute & even though has abnormalities, you do not sense it.

Left BBB- Left Bundle Branch Block - means that the bundle of fibers carrying the electric signal from the SA Node, that is the master clock , to the AV Node that controls the Ventricles beating has a blockage, THIS is an ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION, NOT a blockage that affects the coronary arteries. This is fixed by the pM. A lot of people get confused when they see the word "Block."

150ms (old) - this is a delay time measured in milliseconds (1/1000 of a second) that the PM has set in it. It's the length of time it waits after sensing that the Atria have contracted before sending a signal to make the ventricles contract. ( normally, your ventricles would contract in about 120 ms, so the PM waits a bit longer than that before sending its signal)

remote moritor in 3 months f/u/ 6 months. They want you to send a report from your PM to them via a remote monitor over your phone lines in 3 months & come in for a follow-up in 6 months.

You should have a long time to go based on how your heart is functioning electrically.

Good luck.

Don

Nice Job Don

by Grateful Heart - 2013-05-02 01:05:12

I wish you were around when I first had my ICD implanted. Or rather, I wish I knew about this site then. :)

Vicie: Welcome to the club!

Grateful Heart

welcome to the club

by rvrs708175 - 2013-05-02 03:05:07

I don't know about reading these reports. but I do write out a list of questions and hand them to whoever is treating me, nurse or doctor and ask for answers. I keep a copy to refer to as they do answer. How long is a piece of string? good answer. Life is not too easy on any of us, especially those with some limitations, like us. I suggest you don't worry so much about how long you live your life, but how well you spend your time.
best wishes.
Ann

How do you feel

by ebfox - 2013-05-02 09:05:52

Welcome Vicie,

Unfortunately it is unlikely that you will experience a pacer tech or EP who explains your situation as well as Don just did.

How are you feeling? From the report, it looks like your device is supporting you well, but some people have a proper functioning PM and still feel like crap. Sometimes settings need to be tweaked.

Your Doctor/ Pacer tech should have asked you this-

E. B.

A big THANK YOU...

by Vicie - 2013-05-07 07:05:18

A big THANK YOU to Don, Grateful Heart, Ann, and E.B. for taking the time to reply to my posting. Each of your postings lifted my spirits.
Don, I so appreciate you explaining my report. You really help me to understand, and have peace of mind about it. E.B. I know you are right, and I am going in the next time with a list of questions!
I really don't worry about how long I have. I'll be here till the good Lord calls me home. I tell people, I'm in "pretty good shape, for the shape I'm in" Overhaul I am feeling pretty good. I am getting my strength back and have started making my beads again. I make them for an area nursing home, for their bingo games. Many thanks again.

Thanks Vicie and Don

by rea - 2013-05-07 12:05:08

Thanks, Vicie, for posting all the data. And thanks, Don, for the thorough interpretation. Every bit of that was helpful to the rest of us.
And Vicie, don't EVER avoid asking your questions because you think "they're too busy." You are the reason they have a job, and don't let them forget it. I'm sure you'd do it politely, but make sure you're firm -- and persistent. Alan Alda put it well: "Be fair with others, but then keep after them until they're fair with you."
This is my first post to the site, and have really appreciated the great sense of support and empowerment here. I'm 75, six months with pm. Bradycardia with right BBB. Still swimming a mile three days, walking three miles three days, although I'm not certain the pm is keeping up rate response as it should, so I'm going to ask for a monitor check tomorrow.

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.