PC or No Pc?

I am a former NFL athlete who is in relatively good shape and was told my heart has stopped on two occasions for 4.2 seconds and 6.7 while in a deep sleep. I had a 48 monitor as well as a sleep study test done. Sleep apnea was ruled out. I Was seen by an EP as well as a cardiologist both feel that this was a "soft case" as I am only 37 years old and no other health risks. While my wife was at the appointment she said isn't the heart stopping enough to make a decision.

As I am sure you can all imagine I am nervous with both choices. I have three young children and want to be here for them. I also don't want to just put something in my body that doesn't need to be there. I am also in law enforcement and am nervous that this could cause a negative impact within my career.

10 Comments

Pm

by Dennyfitz - 2013-05-30 06:05:02

Yes...lol. PM, I bit overwhelmed today as we just came home and I am already googling it. Thanks, yes but the whole 6.7 seconds is what is a bit concerning. Do you have one? Negatives of it...are you doing well?

Research

by Chels - 2013-05-30 06:05:54

Hello! I guess my take on this issue is always the same, would you rather have something, and not need it, or need it, and not have it? I have a pacemaker and have had one since I was six years old. I clearly was alive and well prior to that but it's one of those things that you don't realize your quality of life is not what it could be because you've never known any differently, or it's happened so gradually that you don't notice it.

I understand your concern for your family. I have two small boys and a husband and for me I haven't had the option of do I want surgery or not, I just know it's something I have to do so that I can gaurantee that I'm there for my family as long as possible. You can drop dead at any time from something random but this is one thing that you, yourself, have control over. Take control of your life and be there for your kids. Of course no one can say whether or not you'll live for another 50 years with no problems without a pacemaker, no one can predict that. But why take the risk when pacemaker implantation is such a simple procedure?? I hope that researching it will give you some peace of mind. Also, remember, that when you are searching for stories online, you will come up with quite a few scary stories or issues becauses just like this website, people come when they have issues, not when everything's great (sometimes though!)

As far as your job, I was always told that I could do whatever I wanted, and have so far, except a job that would put other people's lives at risk if something happened to me, i.e. airplane pilot. That was also 22 years ago so now that people are more educated on the issue I'm not sure what the standards are. Ask your HR department?

Good luck with your decision and let us know how it goes! Feel free to message me if you need more peace of mind from a fellow young person.

Chelsey

to get it or not to get it

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-30 07:05:17

If your resting rate is good, your rate goes up with exercise, you aren't dipping low when you sleep, then I don't think pauses that short are a concern. Do you have symptoms or did you find it by accident? If the pauses were longer or happening many times a night, then definitely get it, but short pauses I'd probably wait. At least get a second opinion.

Limitations at work will depend on your department. An icd is a much bigger deal for your type of work than a pm, many places are ok with a pm and have no restrictions.

As for every day living, I forget mine is there. There is nothing I want to do that I can't. I got my first one in 1994 when I was 27. I'm healthy and active, in the best shape of my life. If you end up needing one, it's not a big deal. It sounds scary at first but really, it's a simple problem with a simple fix. If the heart misses a beat, the pm kicks in mimicking the signal your heart should have put out on its own, the heart responds by beating. If we have to have a heart problem, this is the best one to have.

yes

by janiebor66 - 2013-05-30 07:05:45

Hi,
Uhhh, In 2006 I was told the bottom of my heart was not working at all.....Pacemaker, out patient surgery and back to taking care of my bed bound husband, working full time and thank goodness......I probably would not have lasted and I certainly would not have been able to continue my regimen......now it is 2013 and they put a new battery in last August,2012....My husband passed in 2010....I am now 65 and hoping I will still do my life justice....sometimes Doctors definitely jump the gun, but I rather have it than not....thank you very much

Hello

by mytrose43 - 2013-05-30 10:05:08

Well I do have a PM and one of the reasons i did get mine was because of the pauses at night my heart rate would drop into the 20s and then on occasion stop for 5-7 seconds personally I thought this was a good reason to have a PM ,I have not had any real problems with mine except from the original surgery but that all healed and all has been well, Good Luck

Why did you...

by donr - 2013-05-30 10:05:12

...have the studies? Were you just curious about something or did you have a symptom?

People in good health just don't have 48 hr monitors done for the fun & games of it. Ditto for sleep studies.

Something PROMPTED you to do this. Was it your wife, suddenly realizing one night that she was lying beside a non-breathing lump of humanity? That's the usual start point for your type of journey. But then WHY the monitor?

There's a piece of the story you are not telling - shame on you! (Always wanted to say that to a 285 lb tackle!)

Let's put this in perspective - your heart's electrical control system is exactly like any piece of electronic gear sitting on the shelf. I can go PFZZZZZZZAP! at any point in its life w/o any known reason. If your TV set did that, you'd be looking to fix it. Why not your heart?

If it stopped twice in 16 hours (Screw the 48 hrs, this only happened at night while you were asleep) I'd say you have a pretty serious situation.

I'm not sure what a "Soft Event" is, but your heart can fail at any time & become a "Hard Event" (Also called rigor mortis).

Get another opinion TOMORROW. There is no way of predicting an electrical failure. IIRC, you big NFL Vet retired guys at about your age have a terrible reputation for developing heart problems. Especially if you used steroids. This is something only you can answer - so be honest w/ yourself.

BTW: IMNSHO, your wife gave the most reasonable second opinion & she isn't even an MD.

Don

Another smart Wife

by Grateful Heart - 2013-05-30 10:05:45

Sounds like we know what her answer would be. You have a young family and she wants you around...I know the feeling.

The electrical systems of our hearts do not discriminate be it age or athletic fitness when they fail, it just happens. And yes, it is a shocker.

A 2nd opinion would help in your decision making I think. That's what I did, I thought they must be wrong!
Nope, not in my case, but it helped me to accept it more with open eyes. I didn't know about this site when I had my device implanted over 4 years ago, I wish I did.

As far as law enforcement, it depends on the Department. For some of the larger Departments in big city's it may be an issue. Smaller Departments not so much but if you need one....you need one.

Ask any questions you may have here. Good luck with your decision.

BTW, I agree with Patch...a good attitude is very important.

Grateful Heart

Grateful Heart





Welcome

by jeanlancour - 2013-05-30 11:05:16

I would like to ask you , if your wife's heart was stopping at night for 6 or 7 secs would you want her to take care of it? Would you think about who would care for your young children? Would you think you had a major part in her decision? What would you think was important? A PM keep your heart beating faithfully, other than that it should not change your life. Jean

WElcome to the Club

by janetinak - 2013-05-30 11:05:45

I agree with all of the comments above. I have a different situation as my heart was going too fast (Afib) & I felt awful. That was in 1999 & in late 2000 I elected to do an AV node ablation which simply is a disconnect between top & bottom of my heart so need a PM to keep heart rate. Well anyhow, I am not sorry but this is an individual decision. Some general info for you to research on this site. Top right of this page is a "Search" area so you can research different subjects on this site. Also helpful is the left hand side has abbreviations, etc. Hope that helps. I am sure you will make the right decision for you & yours. I do agree with the second opinion & make sure you get an EP who has done a lot of work in this field, usually at a major medical center.

Janet

PM

by dad4dds - 2013-05-31 01:05:19

I had a pacer put in Oct 09. I towas in law enforcement. Just because you get a pacer does not mean you would have to stop that job. I did because I was taking blood thinners and our Occupational Dr would not release to to work ever. Luckly I was close to retirement and worked light duty till I could retire. I dont know what state you live in but were I live heart issues are considered work related for law enforcement.

Good Luck

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