Trying to make the right decision.

Hi,
my husband (65yrs) has a very slow heart rate. 52bpm. He is not fit. I state that he isn't fit because Doctors continually say that a slow heart rate must mean he is fit! Works hard, but doesn't do any type of exercise. Is 6'2" and slightly overweight. For the past couple of years he has felt tired all the time. His heart misses beats. When this happens, he feels particularly bad. This happens spasmodically and by the time he gets an appointment the episode has generally passed. He has a device implanted in his chest which monitors his heart rate and this is being reviewed monthly at the moment. It has shown borderline problems with heart rhythm and the Dr.s are now suggesting a pacemaker might be the answer. He doesn't want to have one if it isn't going to make a difference to how he feels.
I would really like to know how people felt before they had the pacemaker fitted and did it improve the quality of life after it was fitted?
Did you feel as if you had more energy, did you feel less nauseous?
I look forward to your replies.
Merri

8 Comments

before and after

by Tracey_E - 2014-06-07 02:06:03

Everyone is different, and without a crystal ball it's hard to say if he'll feel better. The monitor should show how low he gets and if it's happening when he tries to exercise. 50's is technically low (under 60 is the definition of bradycardia) but practically, it's not low at all and very few people with an occasional rate in the 50's need treatment. If he's dipping into the 40's or lower, then that will make him tired and a pm may help.

Another question to ask is if his rate is going up on activity, perhaps that's why he is unable to exercise. A pm can fix that. Has he had a stress test?

Being out of shape makes you tired, eating food that tends to make you gain weight will also make you tired. If I were in his shoes, I would do everything I could to clean up my diet and move as much as possible, try to get in better shape before making any decisions. A pm isn't a big deal, but it's a lifelong decision so don't go into it lightly.

I reached the point before I got mine that I was physically unable to be active and I became severely deconditioned over a two year period. My rate was low 40's, never went up, eventually dropped to the 20's. I was always tired and dizzy. For me, the pm was night and day and the answer to all my problems. But I was not borderline.

Thanks again

by Merri - 2014-06-07 07:06:54

Just wanted to thank all of you who have taken the trouble to share your thoughts.
They are helping to build a picture about the condition and also give encouragement that we may be on the right track considering a Pacemaker as an option.
Merri

Pacemaker

by kmom - 2014-06-07 11:06:24

A lot depends on his symptoms and diagnosis. I was finally diagnosed (after a 30 day monitor) with SSS and afib. The afib had actually been dxed a year prior so I had been on medication for that but even after the ablation they did I felt better for a while and then started feeling crappy again. Very lightheaded, tired, felt like passing out etc.(all this while trying to work and maintain household and family) I had an incident at work in January that sent me to the hospital although by the time I got there heart was fine and most symptoms were gone. Saw my primary a few days later sent me to my EP and monitor was ordered for 30 days!! A month after that I saw my EP again ( on a Friday) and Monday I got a PM!!!! No looking back!! I can function again and feel fantastic! I am only 55 but hubby says it's taken 30 years off and I believe it and FEEL it!! Now I want to go and do etc!!! Everyone is different in how they respond my EP says they put PM's in in hopes that it will help sometimes they do and sometimes not. But the difference for me has been Profound!! In a very positive way!! I can honestly say that I was EXCITED to get the PM if you can believe that! because they finally had an answer as to why I felt like crap all the time and best of all they had a fix! a PM!!

Thanks

by Merri - 2014-06-07 11:06:58

Thanks very much for the reply kmom.
I greatly appreciate your input.
Merri

I might also add

by kmom - 2014-06-07 12:06:11

It may be obvious to some but not to others--that A PM doesn't fix or do anything for the A-fib I still have that BUT they can and did increase the medication I was on after I got the PM without the danger of my HR going any lower.

my experience

by KAG - 2014-06-07 12:06:48

I thought I was fine. Then one day when I was walking my dogs up hill I got SOB and my legs felt like I had weights on them, also slightly nauseated. For a couple of weeks I tried to ignore this but the nausea got worse (not like me to get nausea). I saw my Dr, low HR in 40's and 50's. He sent me to a cardiologist immediately. That Dr said I had 2:1 AV block. I had no idea what that was, I do now. After checking my heart and plumbing out, all "excellent", I got my little buddy. That very day my AV block went to 100%. I hadn't passed out yet but if I'd waited one more day I would have hit the floor, or what ever was in the way.

It's been almost a year now and I feel totally back to normal, and have been for some time. I'm not in great shape but do a lot of walking and no problems with hills now. They did have to do a little tweaking of my settings to optimize them, but that was simple. Way more energy, no nausea and I don't have to be concerned with passing out which would be very bad especially if I was driving.

Not surprised that he feels bad when his HR drops. His organs aren't getting enough oxygen. Over time this can't be good. From what I've seen and read electrical problems don't get better, only worse.

My PM was dictated by my condition eroding rapidly, but knowing what I know now, if I had to make the decision I'd do it sooner rather than later.

Kathy

Time Will Tell

by NiceNiecey - 2014-06-08 01:06:35

Hello Merri.

It's wonderful that you're looking out for your husband.

Getting a PM was a surprise gift for me. I had been "sick" for months, and years, but dismissed it as hormonal, age, thyroid, anything but a heart issue. I truly had no idea and my heart was dropping into the 30s.

Admittedly, I felt absolutely WORSE after I got the PM. I went into aFib; I got a blood clot in my armpit (so glamorous); I began to cough up blood (from taking the blood thinners); I slept all the time. I thought, "This is an unmitigated disaster! I'd rather die."

Foolish, foolish thoughts! My physical response was apparently quite unusual, according to my physician. Each week, I tried to take inventory of whether I was having more good days than bad days. Eventually, the good days outnumbered the bad and by the 2 month mark, I was "cooking with grease" again!

So the above paragraph was the worst part for me getting a PM. The BEST part (and I'm only 5 months into this journey) is that I have my BRAIN BACK! I feel lucid again! I was chronically light-headed before the PM and I could barely find a word during a conversation or focus on my work.

The other great thing is that I now have more ENERGY than I've had in a very, very long time. I just turned 56 and feel better than I have in years.

BTW, I have Mobitz Type 2, Second degree heart block and I still get crazy rhythms for inexplicable reasons. Keep in mind that if your husband does, indeed, get a PM, it's in for life and it takes time to adjust - not just him but the device itself. He will probably end up taking a medication for one thing or another but it's all good and he'll keep "right on tickin'."

Let us know how it all shakes down, Merri. You've come to the right place!
Niecey

More thanks

by Merri - 2014-06-08 04:06:56

Each response helps us to see that maybe a PM will help with his general feeling of well being. His pulse rate has dropped into the 40's on occasion and it does miss quite a few beats.
The reading of his monitor on 27th this month should show a few "episodes" which will give the Specialists more to work with.
It has been a very frustrating last few years. We both know that he is not the same as he was 4 years ago. We have both seen the almost collapses, we have taken BP and Pulse rates and they have been terrible.
Only once did one of these "episodes" coincide with a Dr. being able to capture it all on the machines and graphs.
He has had all tests possible.
I do feel that we are getting closer to a resolution.
Merri

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