34 and just found out I have complete heart block

Do it

by jeanlancour - 2013-05-24 01:05:26

Could you talk to an EP they put it in and keep track of your pacemaker, so they could probably tell you more about them and your options. Having children is a time your heart needs all the help it can get. Having a husband means he also has a big stake in this, listen to him. Do not be fearful that you are giving up something by having a pacemaker. You are gaining a heart that will beat faithfully. Look at the pros and cons and then do what is best for you and your family. Jean

Go for it

by Reboot1212 - 2013-05-24 01:05:40

Complete heart block is a serious condition easily corrected with a PM. Besides the risk of fainting and not waking up, why subject your body and other organs to inconsistent supply of oxygen rich blood? You have a lot to live for - invest in this relatively minor procedure, it will give unlimited length and quality to your days! Plus you get to hang out with us!

PM surgery is now an easy day procedure

by Addlia - 2013-05-24 07:05:34

PM implantation surgery is now such an simple procedure. I am 30yrs old and was so scared when I was told that I needed one. I had mine put in last month with no issues.

You are lucky that you get the option of a second chance, take it

yes

by Chels - 2013-05-24 07:05:50

I agree with the above commenters. I understand where you are coming from, I don't feel broke so why fix it until I really neer it? Well i can tell you from experience that it's better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it. I am a 28 year old mom of two small boys, have had a pacemaker for 22 years for a complete heart block. I have had many of the same thoughts as you when it has come time for procedures, just last week i had a procedure to extract my leads (a very risky procedure) and i had so many thoughts of I feel fine, maybe i should wait until i start having problems because if something goes wrong I want to have enjoyed as much of my life as possible, I don't want to leave my kids, etc. Well, one of the leads completely fellb apart when they were in there, that's how bad of shape they were in. I am 100% pacer dependent , even though i felt fine, imagine what couldve happened if I would not have had that procedure! Please do it, there is no limit to how long you can be paced, like i said, it's been 22 years and i just got a whole new system and its good for another 20 years or longer! No reason to delay due to the thought that you don't want to waste the technology til you 'really need it'.

Another thought, you feel fine but sometimes you don't realize you don't feel 100% if you don't know what you're missing! Feel free to message me whenever, you and i seem to have very similar brains :)

when

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-24 11:05:16

I also have complete heart block. I got my first pm at 27, am on my 4th now. I had two babies with it, no complications, perfectly normal pregnancies and deliveries. They're 15 and 16 now. I own a business, am a girl scout leader, hike or ski most vacations, do Crossfit 5 mornings a week.... my heart does not keep me from doing anything I want to do. I don't look or act like a heart patient. If we have to have a heart condition, this is the best one to have because it's an easy fix. Don't fear the surgery or living with a pm. It sounds scary but I found the surgery was easier than expected and I came out of it feeling better than I ever dreamed I could.

That said, have you had a Holter to see how low your rate gets? If you haven't had a Holter yet, ask for one before agreeing to surgery. If your rate is dipping low, then it's time to get it fixed whether you feel it or not because it's hard on our bodies when the heart is out of syn and/or the rate is too low. Organs get robbed of oxygen they need. You don't want your first symptom to be passing out so don't wait too long, not having symptoms does not always mean you don't need it. However, if your rate is low but not that low (above50 or so) and you don't have symptoms, you may be able to wait and monitor a bit.

And you are not going to fall over dead!!!!!!!!! That's just scare tactics.

recently got a PM

by Snlp - 2013-05-24 11:05:38

I am 41 and had a PM just 7 weeks ago and I am doing great. I was having some other tests done when I was told that I needed to go see a cardiologist. Who told me I had a complete heart block. Only symptoms that I had was a few dizzy/lightheaded spells and had always had a low heart rate. Based on their tests they believe I was actually born with the condition. I was hesitant at first to have it done, because I felt fine. However I have a family history of heart trouble and felt that having the PM might prevent me from having the same problems when I got older. I had discomfort for about four weeks, each week got better and I do not even notice it anymore. I went back to work very quickly and did fine.

2nd Opinion

by Grateful Heart - 2013-05-24 11:05:49

Get a 2nd opinion since you have no symptoms and are questioning if you need one, but DO IT SOON. That will help you make your decision making. That's what I did. I didn't have a Cardio until they told me I needed a Bi-V AICD. In hindsight, I had symptoms....I just didn't connect it. It was a shocker (no pun intended).

Unless, of course, you already know and trust your Cardio....then what are you waiting for?

Sometimes, tests can pick up problems we are having before we feel any symptoms and sometimes it is the symptoms that first alert us. The 2nd opinion confirmed it for me.

If it confirms it for you, you and your husband will be glad once you have the pm so you can start your family with peace of mind and not have that nagging worrying "What if" in the back of your mind.

Let us know how it goes and good luck to you and your family.

Grateful Heart

Do it!

by MWilson - 2013-05-24 12:05:15

Although my reasoning for having one is much different, i would definitely say get it put in! Although you may never need it, it would be terrible living life now knowing you may 'Drop Dead' at any second, especially for your husband.

Pacemakers have come a long way and you will never even know you have one once its installed.

uuuummmmmm...... I think there is a message there for you:)

by Bas - 2013-05-24 12:05:44

Hi!
There are people all over the world with all sorts of heart conditions :). After speaking to many people and reading the posts on this site certainly confirms this.As you are a very special and unique soul your body is dealing with life the best way it can. Your body is talking to you asking for help. It is time to help by seriously considering a PM....Most posted messages indicate a positive message in having a PM fitted. I had mine fitted in Jan this year!
You commented you have a husband as well as trying to start a family! Cardiologists are experts in their field.........please seriously consider the advice as there is no second chance.......Imagine how devastated your husband would be if you carked it? He would be saying "I wish she had had that pacemaker installed!
Peace and Love to you and your husband )

Steve P

by Steve4876 - 2013-05-25 04:05:39

Had passed out 20 times in year and a half before a 15 min heart block in ER.Got my PM next day.At first only used it some of the time, now lower chamber is 100% dependent. Keeps me alive and happy all the time.
What are you waiting for.There is no down side. You can have a long life with your family. Surgery is quick and painless, usually home same day. Enjoy life!

Vote yes

by swimmer212 - 2013-05-29 06:05:20

Most doctors will not put you through unnecessary surgeries. I had my first pm placed exactly 2 weeks ago. I didn't have a clue I had an issue. Even though I saw a cardiologist almost every year I never had symptoms. The first symptom was discovered by my neurologist in January. I'm a nurse and didn't connect the dots because I never thought something could happen to me, even with a huge cardiac family history. You have to do what will make you healthy. Get an opinion from an EP specialist. It's not a major, very risky procedure. The benefits outweigh the odds.

You don't know what you don't know

by sandsave - 2022-05-04 14:17:12

I’m 63 years old and had my PM installed about three weeks ago.

My only symptom was that when I went to bed, I felt a slight heart palpitation which prompted me to dig the apple watch out of my drawer. Much to my surprise my resting HR was 40, watched for a few days and yep it was consistently 40. Called my GP and away we went, four weeks later I’m in the OR. How this possibly relates to you is that when the Cardiologist went through his litany of questions, I did not have any symptoms, never dizzy never winded, never tired. Or so I thought! After a couple weeks of recovery, I feel completely different, much more energy and gaining more every passing day, I was symptomatic and didn’t even realize it.

Gotta give a shout out to Apple, the watch may have saved my life.