uncertain

I am in my early 70s and am active. Recently, being short of breath, I had a 24 hour heart monitor. It shows that during the daytime I’m quite normal, but at nighttime I had two 5+ pauses in my heartbeat. I have seen my family doctor and have a referral for a cardiologist. Before seeing him, I was wonder if someone can give me any input re. the above and whether a pacemaker might be necessary. As of now, I am functioning normally and don’t have any feeling of fainting, but sometimes feel short of breath. I reacted normally in the heart stress test. My major concern is whether this condition could deteriorate to a point where I might faint during the day. Many thanks in advance.

3 Comments

fainting

by Tracey_E - 2014-06-10 08:06:29

The time to get the pm is before you are at risk for fainting. Fainting is dangerous. Only your dr can say if you are likely to get to that point, and even then it's just a guess because no one can predict for sure.

Two pauses isn't a lot, but 5 seconds is over the amount where they recommend pacing. As far as I know, pauses at night won't cause shortness of breath during the day. Don't jump to conclusions and self-diagnose! Wait until you see the cardiologist and learn more. Right now you just have a few facts, not the whole picture. Good luck!

Yes, It Can Deteriorate Rapidly

by NiceNiecey - 2014-06-10 10:06:19

If you've got second degree heart block, it can, indeed, deteriorate rapidly to third degree or complete heart block where NO communication signals are getting through to the chambers of the heart.

At that point, one just goes into cardiac arrest. Don't let it happen! I never fainted but I was on the verge of a crisis and could have at any moment.

Be sure to ask for a diagnosis from the cardiologist. That will help you in your fact-finding. If s/he doesn't think you need a PM, they'll let you know. And if they DO think you need one, jump in with both feet and the sooner the better. You'll need to get back to your normal activities ASAP.

Asystole- when your heart stops.

by Selwyn - 2014-06-11 12:06:23

Shortness of breath is not related to the heart pauses. Causes of shortness of breath range from anxiety to anaemia and include respiratory and cardiac causes.
I did wonder what sort of 'stress test' you had ( ECHO or ECG). You should have an ECHO cardiogram.

Cardiologists have clear guidelines for when pacemakers save lives based on the sad deaths of those that have gone before us. Anything over 2.8 seconds pause is an indication for a pacemaker if the condition is not reversible. Do not become a sudden death in bed! Not everyone's heart restarts.

You may want to consider searching this site using the term 'asystole' ( meaning when a heart stops beating), there is plenty of experience.

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