Should I get a pacemaker?

I am 70 year old male diagnosed with 2nd Degree
AV Block Mobitz 2 a week ago. My HR dropped to
21 during sleep with a holter with a 3 sec pause.
I have been an endurance athlete since the age of
25 with a best marathon time of 2:37 and a best 50
mile time of 5:49. I no longer run marathons but
still run, bike rides up 100m in 6 hours and 5 k swims
in 1:45. I am asymptomatic and although my HR sits
around 33-36, it acccelerates to 128-130 when running
with no problem. I do have a high plaque burden but
went through an echo stress test with no problem.
My Electrophysiologist thought I would schedule the procedure
the same day he told me on Sept 7th,2013 but I wasn't ready
to make the leap. Any opinions will be thankfully reviewed.

5 Comments

I would

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-14 07:09:06

Even for an athlete, your numbers are very low, nowhere close to borderline. It's great that you feel so good but the combination of the pauses and very low number imo is cause for concern. You'll still be able to run, bike, swim after, probably with more stamina. You can walk and do a recumbent bike as soon as you feel up to it, full activity 6 weeks or so later.

I found out after I got my pm that I wasn't as asymptomatic as I thought. I had declined so gradually that I compensated without realizing it. I thought I felt fine, but after the surgery I had a very pleasant surprise, a huge energy burst from all that extra oxygen.

I was in the same situation

by PaceMaker4747 - 2013-09-15 04:09:02

I'm an active duty Marine and avid runner myself. My resting heart rate averaged 35-45 before the pacemaker and was recorded going down to 25-28 during sleep. The ER told me I was going from 1st AV Block - 3rd AV Block randomly. However, the Navy cardiologist disagreed but the civilian doctors convinced me to go ahead and have it installed while I was at the ER. Since the pacemaker, I definitely have more energy and don't have to fight staying awake on long drives home. Overall, it has helped with fatigue and taken away my heart palpitations I was having. I would say it depends on your symptoms and your fatigue level during the day. If those aren't a factor than I think you may be fine. The scar is definitely annoying and is irritating on clothes and seat belts. Good luck!

Get it!!!

by Canadian Dave - 2013-09-15 04:09:09

Hi. I tend to agree with TraceyE's thoughts. I had the same issues a you before my pacemaker. I have always been physical and used to joke about my 'skipping heartbeat.' About twelve years ago I decided to start buying and renovating houses and spent eight years doing that with no apparent issue. What was happening though was I wasn't able to recover as quickly as I had. Thought it was old age until I found that my sleeping heart rate was 22!

I had a pacemaker 'installed' with very little notice and have felt like superman ever since. The heart issue chipped away slowly and although with hindsight I can see the effect. I didn't at the time.

If you need it you need it. You're just putting additional strain on your body without it in my opinion. Good luck!

If you trust you Doctor...

by Grateful Heart - 2013-09-16 12:09:14

Go for it. If not, get a 2nd opinion. I hadn't even met my EP when I was told I needed an ICD. I thought they must be wrong, I never had a problem with my heart.

So I went to another EP and he confirmed it. Then I knew I had to accept it.

I explained I was there for a 2nd opinion and then he offered to do the implant instead. That bothered me so I declined and went with the first EP.....glad I did!

Grateful Heart

Thank you.

by comrades78 - 2013-09-30 07:09:03

Thank you all for your helpful input. After a 2nd opinion,
I'm getting one.

You know you're wired when...

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I had a pacemaker since 2002 and ever since then my life has been a total blessing.