Complete Heart Block?

33M, had a slow heart rate at least since I was 16. It's around 27 bpm, resting. Got an EKG at a physical a couple years ago, doctor told me it would be a good idea to see the cardiologist. Finally got around to it, the cardiologist ordered blood work, an electrocardiogram and a 24 hr Holter monitor.

The cardiologist says I have a complete heart block and need to have a pacemaker. He's having me go to an electrophysiologist tomorrow morning for an additional opinion.

It was a bit of a surprise because I feel totally fine, I exercise regularly, essentially experienced no symptoms. I've never fainted or felt dizzy… I maybe have a bit harder time that what seems normal breathing during running and exercise, but I have a hard time differentiating between what is conditioning and what may be due to this. I can get my heart rate up over 100 during hard exercise and it returns to resting quickly when I stop.

Any ideas?

What questions should I ask the electrophysiologist tomorrow?

7 Comments

Response to heart block

by bmccasland - 2014-02-11 05:02:23

I'm 42 and had been being seen for bradycaria for last last few years. My resting hr was at 31-34 and would drop to 27 in my sleep according to the holter. I too exercised regularly was asymptomatic but eventually starting getting tired often until I exercised to get my hr up. I was also starting to get dizzy when standing etc. I underweint Pm implantation and currently on the recovery time. I wish you the best and think it is advisable to meet with the electrphysioligist. I look forward too and hope you will share your results.

CHB

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-11 06:02:14

I have CHB also. I put off the pm until I was 27. I waited (aka procrastinated) until I couldn't possibly put it off any more. My hr tanked one day, I ended up in emergency surgery, freaked out my family, didn't have time to make any plans. Turns out what I thought was "feeling ok" really wasn't feeling that great after all. Once I had a normal heart rate, I learned what energy and stamina really is.

Waiting until you pass out is too late, unless you have a crystal ball handy so you know when it'll happen. We've had members pass out driving, crash, find themselves healing from an accident as well as pm surgery.

If you can get up to 100 while exercising, you are not in complete block all the time. By definition, COMPLETE means the signal never gets through so the rate does not go up with exercise. Sounds like sometimes your signal gets through, this is a good thing. 27 resting, not so good. Normally when you can do what you want and feel good, you can wait and monitor but as low as your resting rate is, it is putting stress on your body and you would probably feel better with it. There are no definite guidelines that say when you should get it. Technically anything under 60 is bradycardia. Typically people in the 50's and sometimes 40's can get by without. Under that, we generally do better paced but where to draw the line and say yeah, you really should do it, that's up to you and your dr. Good luck with the ep and making a decision. If you have questions about the surgery, recovery or living with a pm, don't be shy. I've had one for almost 20 years now. I'm healthy and active, no one would guess I have it.

Heart disease happens

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-11 06:02:55

Heart disease happens when it happens. That's what is so frustrating. I was walking down the trail, not a care in the world, then woke up six days later from a coma.

So you'll want to check with the EP guy. You may be not showing any signs right now, but that can change very quickly. It's no fun waking up in the hospital.

Get enough information to make an informed decision. Don't let your emotions put you into a bad situation.

At 33 you've got a lot of living to do. If you need the PM, get it, then get on with the rest of your life.

Theknotguy

s heduled for pm 2-24

by wjs1954 - 2014-02-11 07:02:22

I know your frustration i am just a bit older, 59 1/2. Runner for about 25 years, did pass out about 6 times over the last 10 years. You just never know what is around the next turn. I actually am thrilled to believe a PM may be the answer, can not wait to hit the roads again.

thanks

by matthew854 - 2014-02-12 07:02:39

thanks for all the comments. it's reassuring to here some commonality in the stories.

CHB

by Sabimar - 2014-02-13 07:02:56

I was 42 when I had my first pm implanted.
My heartbeat went down to 19 a minute and it was a very scary episode. I felt completely exhausted, forgetful, confused and faint. I was rushed to hospital and put on an external pm, till the permanent one was implanted the next day. My heart stopped twice in the operating theatre. Now I am completely pm dependant.
I just had my second pm op and feel great.
In my case it was touch and go, but I really recommend that you get one soon, before something happens and then you won't have a choice in the matter.

HB

by J00ney - 2014-02-15 07:02:31

Hello Matthew,
I too was like you, from a really young age had a very slow pulse. I also developed asthma about 7 years ago and when having an asthma attack and being pumped with continual asthma relievers in ED, doctors would ask me what was wrong with my heart as pulse rate never got over 60bpm whereas with others the asthma medication shot their heart rate to well over 100bpm.

My only symptoms of bradycardia of late was being tired to where everything was a drudge, thought process was getting dulled and the occasional lightheadedness that was unnerving to the point where I decided to stop driving for the safety of others.

Iwas starting to not enjoy life. All this started happening from October 2013. My family doctor was screaming..."you need a :?//@&****pacemaker", but still I resisted. Cardiologist knew I didn't want one so was investigating ' other causes' which I am happy to say all came back negative.

So I had my pacemaker inserted at the end of January this year and I clearly remember waking up the next day and I felt AMAZING:)

Clarity of thought was back, energy was back, and now one can believe how different I am. My husband described it to guests last night as in "prior to 23/01 she was at best 40watt globe, now she is 400watts and I can't keep up"

Besides the risk of total HB it's all to do with oxygen perfusion to every cell in the body? The heart is powering away but the circuit is not quite right.

I am going to able to start running soon i and am so looking forward to besting my times. Looking forward to Friday as going to nightclub to dance the night away:)

All the best Matthew
j00ney

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