3rd DegreeBlock

Hi,
I was admitted to the hospital with 3rd degree block and Torsades
10monts ago. Pacemaker doing the work, thankful every day for this technology!
My question is how to answer when people as, "did you have a heart attack?" My understanding is no, because it was a sudden electrical failure. However when I say that, I get a very perplexed look. Is there a term I can use to help folks understand without going through a whole explaination of total heart block?
Also, I know about not going through medical detectors at airports. How about the lesser ones at sports arenas etc?
Thanks all! Glad I found you!

6 Comments

3rd Degree Block

by Suznbee - 2013-12-14 02:12:16

Nice of you all to chime in. I am sorry that Sparrow, you have had negative attention. I work with Special needs adults, so I understand folks can be insensitive.

I guess I have been doing okay with my answers to folks, it have said it is an Electrical not a Plumbing issue. Since it was sudden I think that causes the most confusion. I thought maybe I had been having problems all along and it progressed to 3rd degree, but my Dr said no, it was sudden and I was fortunate I was not alone or driving or asleep. Had to convince my DH to call 911...he wanted to drive me. We would not have made it as the Ambulance had to detour to a closer hospital because my heart was, "Doing things they had never seen before.". Swell. Grateful it all worked out. I am a true believer now of not waiting when the heart is involved. I was actually on the phone with a nurse trying to figure out what I should do when I blacked out. Yeh, I would not wait again!

explanation

by judyblue - 2013-12-14 02:12:46

I told my students it the difference between your X-Box controller needing a new battery and a controller that your little brother smashed with a hammer!
But I like the plumber, electrician analogy. I am sure I will get an opportunity to use it.
judy

What I say

by ohiolaura - 2013-12-14 07:12:31

is that I have an electrical problem,and a pacemaker.That pretty much stops and conversation from that point on,I haven't had anyone go further with any questions,and if they did ask anymore,I would answer what I can.
I still do get a raised brow,and usually the,"but youre so young" response.
Which I quickly smile,say "thank you" and give them a big ole kiss for that compliment!!!
Really, Im 50,and will take the "young" anyday!!!
Laura:)

heart block

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-14 09:12:18

No, you did not have a heart attack. A heart attack is a result of plumbing problems, when the arteries get blocked, blood flow is blocked and part of the heart tissue dies. You have an electrical short circuit, your plumbing is more than likely perfectly normal. The two types of problems are unrelated.

I was diagnosed when I was 5, it was explained to me then that the top and bottom of my heart don't talk to each other. I can do a more sophisticated explanation now if someone asks, but that one pretty much covers it. The connection between your SA node in the atria and the AV node in the ventricle broke down. The pm fixes it very simply by making sure the ventricles beat when the atria does.

Oh! And I don't worry about perplexed looks from people! :o) Smile and tell them you're fine now. When they see you feeling good and acting normally, they'll forget all about the pm.

If you didn't get a good explanation yet, SJM has a set of great animations that explain how a normal heart beats, what av block is, how the pm works
http://health.sjm.com/arrhythmia-answers/videos-and-animations

I do not go through metal detectors. They will not hurt the pm, but odds are we'll set it off which makes it a lot more complicated than just telling them we have a pm to start with. Most places like concerts and amusement parks walk us around it and say have a nice day. Don't let anyone use a wand higher than the waist, they are more concentrated and can mess with the settings on the pm.

Questions; Questions

by IAN MC - 2013-12-14 10:12:03

As always, SPARROW has an interesting take on things and I do like her simple " I had a heart rhythm problem " answer, but I've never felt that I'm being stalked by well-wishers and friends . I always work on the assumption that they are genuinely interested in my welfare and the nature of my problem.

Assuming that they are genuinely interested ( and some people are ,probably mainly because they think " what if that ever happens to me ? " )

It is essential to explain that the heart can either develop plumbing or electrical problems . They nod wisely when I remind them of plumbing problems; they can understand blocked pipes and heart valves that don't work .. compare your heart to the pump on your shower or on your central heating and then they really do get it !


I then say " I don't have any plumbing problems fortunately " ; I had an electrical problem; my pump wasn't beating as it should have done and it kept slowing down and pausing BUT it is perfect now that I have a pacemaker !

I then challenge them to a 3 mile run , or a 2 hour game of tennis .. loser buys the drinks ! No one has accepted the challenge so far !

Ian

Education opportunity

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-14 10:12:54

I'm running into the same situation. I've had several medical people in rehab ask me about my heart attack. It wasn't.

So I get the opportunity to explain about plumbers and electricians. I tell them I had an electrical problem versus plumbing and they seem to get it.
I also get to tease the doctors. "Are you an electrician or a plumber?"

I thought my ablation cardiologist was going to fall off the stool laughing when I asked him when he was going to hit me with the cattle prod. I also asked him if I could just go out to a nearby cattle pasture and grab the electric fence. He said it was an idea but since it wasn't a controlled jolt that I'd have to do it in a hospital setting. Aw shucks!

You gotta find humor somewhere.

Theknotguy

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

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