3rd Degree AV Block-No Pacer

My 47 y/o sister was diagnosed 3rd degree AV block when she was about 25. She was newly pregnant and per my brother in law, he thought she died in his arms one morning. A trip to the ER and docs decided it was a seizure, put her on phenobarbital for a year, and b/c she didn't have another episode she came off meds. She has always complained of racing heart rate self identified as "panic attacks", but has been quite active and fit for her entire life. About ten years after that first episode she was summoned to the doctor's office and told she had an AV block and many ekgs and tests later was further diagnosed as a complete, or 3rd degree block. She refuses to get a pacemaker or defibulator implanted. She continues to workout daily and sees her cardiologist annually. Her cardio stated during visit last month that she should just keep doing what she's doing.

Having stated this, I am terrified, as I know that she could succumb to a sudden death if her heart stops and just doesn't start again.

Am I just being an over protective sister? What should I do?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

5 Comments

Just Wait!

by Casper - 2014-01-23 02:01:01

Hi There,

I'm waiting for TraceyE to jump in antime now. she will give you and earful, that will blow your mind.

If not, please, please, private message her ASAP!

Casper

TraceyE

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

How would I do that?

3rd Degree; no pacer

by imslennon - 2014-01-23 05:01:11

Thanks so much! I'm going to pass this along to my sister.

hi!

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-23 05:01:42

I think she meant me :o)

It's normal for you to be afraid for your sister! But I think you're worrying needlessly. First of all, she doesn't need a defib, that's for out of control racing which is not her problem. She won't fall over dead, absolute worst case she might pass out one day but if she doesn't have symptoms that probably won't happen either. Her heart isn't going to just stop, that's not what av block does.

This site has really good animations that explain what av block is. Basically, it means the atria beats normally but the signal doesn't get through to the ventricles so they beat at random. Usually they beat too slowly, but sometimes it's fast enough to keep us going like anyone with a normal heart rate. The pm fixes it by sending a signal to the ventricles whenever the atria beats so the heart stays in sync. Very simple fix.
http://health.sjm.com/arrhythmia-answers/videos-and-animations

The important thing is she feels good enough to work out, that says a lot. Do you know what her resting rate is? Under 60 is technically is bradycardia but that is just a name. Many people do well with a hr in the 50's or even 40's. The signs that she needs the pm would be fatigue, dizziness, easily getting short of breath. As long as she feels good enough to exercise, monitoring is appropriate.

If your sister decides to consider the pm and would like to talk to someone who's been there, please put us in touch. I have the same thing and am 47 also. Big difference is when I was 27, my hr took a nosedive and I got my first pm. I've been through 4 of them now. I'm healthy and active, people do not look at me and see a heart patient. It doesn't slow me down at all, just gives me more energy than I ever dreamed possible. It's really not a big deal when the time comes that she needs it.

Hi again

by Casper - 2014-01-23 07:01:07

This is EXACTLY the girl I was talking about.

Thanks Tracey.

You are the Poster Girl for AV Blocks.

Imslennon....I hope things for well for your sister ,

You know you're wired when...

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