Pacemaker Interrogation

Recently at my interrogation, I was told offhandedly that I had a cardiac event on September 5th. I didn't ask what that meant but I should have. I certainly don't recall anything happening on 9/5. Does anybody know what that means when they say "cardiac event or incident?"

Thanks

4 Comments

Could be

by Theknotguy - 2015-01-07 04:01:15

Could be a lot of things. If they didn't go screaming down the hall for help or throw you into the ER it may not be that big of a deal. So I don't think you'll have to start worrying so much you'll start sweating. Sometimes techs make offhand comments that don't mean that much. But, of course, your brain doesn't interpret it that way.

But you'll still want to check it out just the same. Please call your EP and have him/her tell you what happened.

I have so many afib "events" they don't even bother to tell me about it. Just let me read about it in my PM report. So my "events" are no big deal because it happens all the time. For you, an afib event may mean you need a change in your medications.

Like I said, please contact your EP so you can find out what happened. Then go from there. In the meantime, just don't go off the deep end with worry. Easier said than done, but most of the time the worry just isn't worth it.

ditto

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-07 04:01:48

What knotguy said! An event just means something interesting showed up on the report, most of the time it's benign and something you wouldn't have known about if you didn't have a cool little computer taking notes on every little thing. It could be anything- maxing out the pacer, pvc's, afib. If it was bad, you would have had a phone call by now. Call and ask so you don't worry, but it's probably nothing. They should know what time of day it happened, that might help you narrow down what it was. My episodes all happen between 7 and 8 am, which is when I'm at the gym.

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-08 04:01:26

If you ask, they should give you a copy of the pacing report which shows exactly how often you pace. If your dr is new, maybe tell him your previous dr did not communicate and you'd really like to understand more. Once my dr figured out that I really wanted to know, he became much more open with me. So many people don't think to ask or don't want to know details, a lot of them get in the habit of not saying much. Don't be shy.

Thanks!

by arizlori - 2015-01-08 12:01:52

Knot Guy and Tracey, thanks for the response. I am pretty ignorant about my PM. Like, I don't know if it is always pacing my heart or just kicks in when something goes awry. Every once in a while I feel a unique sensation there and I figure it has done something, or I can feel my heart start to race and I wait for the PM to level it out - and it does. I probably ought to get smarter about what is going on inside of me. My cardiologist isn't a big communicator. I switched to a new one but I think he assumes I know stuff that I don't. Thanks again.
Lori

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

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My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.