new hereslow rate little concerned

Long story, i will try to keep it short.
Weekend before thanksgiving passed out for the 6th time in about ten yeras, no big deal. However this time the wife talked me into going to the doctor. Doctor check my HR said it was 37 you need a pacemaker sent me to a cardiologist, first thing she said NO pacemaker , egk, tilt table , strees test, nuclear, holter monitor. every thing did not look right like HR 34 for 45 minutes in the middle of the day, 42 for the 24 hour avg, still No pacemaker. But she sent me to a electrical Heart Specialist,. The first thing he said you could just do nothing try running again see what happens, or he could do a EPS test and if it shows a problem put in a pacemeker the next day. So he scheduled the test but it is two flipping weeks away. I am just going crazy back and forth, cancell the test? find another doctor? Calm down and just wait the two weeks. Like I said, just frustrated
BTW i am a 59 year old male, Pretty good shape off and on runner 20 plus yeras

10 Comments

Tilt Table results ?

by lahbigbro6 - 2014-01-23 04:01:26

I am someone who has passed out many times too. What was the results of your tilt table test ? The tilt table test usually gives the doc the next step. My tests with EKG's showed nothing. Once I passed out on the tilt table, my doc gave me meds called midrodrine to raised my blood pressure. I didn't get a pacemaker right away either. I passed out and went into the hospital because I was at work (liability issue). I was on heart monitors which showed a decrease in my HR. That's when I got a pacemaker.

Say what

by KAG - 2014-01-23 10:01:36

You've passed out 6 times and they think it's due to low HR and say you don't need a PM? I think I'd get a different Dr. if possible. You don't say if you have any other issues, do you? If you have an electrical problem, like heart block, a PM is the fix for it.

I definitely wouldn't do nothing. What if you passed out while driving?

Good shape, et al

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-23 11:01:01

The day before my collapse I moved 2000 pounds of wood. The day of my collapse I had just completed 3 1/2 miles of a four mile walk. Collapsed and woke up six days later from a medically induced coma. So the good physical shape has nothing to do with heart problems. Especially if they are electrical heart problems.

You've gotten this far. Wait the two weeks and find out what's going on. Worst case, you get a PM. But it's better than being dead. Did I forget to mention after my collapse they couldn't get my heart re-started? Took a minimum of three people (I don't know as I was unconscious at the time.) to do CPR. Then a temporary pacemaker to keep me alive.

I thought I had things under control. Was following doctor's orders and ended up with a six day coma. I don't recommend going that way. It costs a lot of money, it scares your family, and you don't feel good afterwards.

Like I said, worst case scenario is that you get a PM. If you're on this forum you've seen it isn't a major hold back to enjoying a good life. So get yourself checked out. Like KAG said, I don't want to meet you head on in a car accident.

Theknotguy

Keeping the appointment

by wjs1954 - 2014-01-23 11:01:21

just frustrated/worring about what my be next..

also i monitored my heart 1/2 dozen times myself w/n the last 7 weeks for 5.5 up tp 22 hour, average was anywhere from 39 to 45 low down to 31BPM.

little of my frustration is because at first they said you can do nothing, than they said go through these test and do not run or ride your bike till testing is complete.

Thanks

Magic Pacemaker Age

by donb - 2014-01-23 11:01:48

Hi, Very familiar diagnosis. "Your husband will need a pacemaker when he gets old" Wife (cardiac nurse) says, "Don will never get old if he doesn't get a pacemaker now" This was at age 60 in 1992. Now after 22 years, life with my pacemakers has been good. Now at age 82 I worry that down the road I'll be told that Medicare won't support a replacement as I'm too old !!
DonB

Slow heart rate

by Enrique - 2014-01-23 11:01:51

I have been a jogger for 30 years. I had two fainting episodes that scared the heck out of my family. I also got a very bruised rib cage with the falls. The ambulance people told me that my ekg was not normal and that my heart rate was too slow.

I went to a cardiologist. A few months later I had a PM implanted. I continue jogging and I have never fainted again. Overall I feel much better now than before I had a PM.

I would se another doctor.

Frustration is better than dead

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-23 12:01:21

Sparrow and I both have the T-shirt. Death! Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Both of us don't recommend dying as a pre-conditon for getting a pacemaker.

And yes, you'll have plenty of frustrating conversations with doctors in the future. I just had one yesterday with the doctor in the ER. Had to get my cardio on the line to convince the ER doctor I didn't need to stay overnight.

Anyway, enjoy the frustration for now. Get yourself checked out.

Theknotguy

tilt table

by wjs1954 - 2014-01-25 10:01:15

Went ok did not pass out heart rate slowed to 36, ekg showed a little change. Guess I will know more after 2-7. That is when I go to the hospital for the EPS.

See a diff doc

by Bonevans - 2014-01-31 03:01:11

I passed out ONCE 39 yr old female and they took me into surgery within a couple days

still seven days till test

by wjs1954 - 2014-01-31 05:01:16

Some days more worried than others, again just wish I knew the outcome.

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

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