Heart Pacing Normally

I was fitted with a dual lead PM in Aug 2014 for a 2nd degree block type II (2:1). I have hypothyroidism and my thyroid hormone was very low at the time of the PM surgery. Went to the device clinic today for a 6 month follow-up and my heart is pacing normally without assistance. The tech said it could change tomorrow. I was so excited I forgot to ask her how long the data showed this had been going on, but I'm going back next week to pick up my interrogation report.

Is it common for the conductive paths of the heart to be intermittent or could my problem have been caused by the hypothyroidism?

4 Comments

way cool!

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-02 08:04:57

It is common for electrical problems such as block to come and go, but rare to go away completely. Thyroid can cause a slow heart rate, yes, but generally not block.

Why didn't they get your thyroid under control before giving you the pm?

Hypothyroid

by stricsm - 2015-04-02 09:04:58

The cardiologist (pump Doc) didn't think the low thyroid was related and thought it was critical that the PM be placed immediately. The EP didn't weigh in. My heart rate was high 30's to 50's in the day time and fatigue was my only symptom.

I had read a small study of hypothyroid patients with heart block and some of them returned to normal when their thyroid hormone was regulated. So, I am hoping that this isn't temporary but understand that it likely is. Oh well, I know that the PM is there if I need it. There is comfort in that. Thanks.

Hypothyroidism & heart block

by golden_snitch - 2015-04-03 03:04:09

Yes, hypothyroidism can cause not only brady, but also heart block. Just google hypothyroid + heart block, and you get many results that support this. Don't understand why your doctor didn't rule this out by improving your thyroid function before putting in the pacemaker. Yes, your heart rate was low and you were tired. But it does not sound like you were in such a life threatening condition that a few days more would have made a difference.

Anyways, one cannot turn back time now, the pacemaker is in, and the way you see it - it's there in case you should ever need it again - seems to be the best perspective one can take.

Hope you'll stay unpaced!

Great!

by stricsm - 2015-04-03 07:04:42

Thanks Snitch.

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