Education

When I was told I needed a PM, an image of a bunch of old people popped in my head. "I'm too young" I said. Just now I was perusing the photo gallery and found out that I AM the old guy! Apparently people of all walks and ages require a PM sometimes.

6 Comments

yep!

by Tracey_E - 2014-08-26 03:08:15

Welcome, glad you found us! I'm 47 and I've been the youngest in the waiting room for 20 years now. I don't want to wish it on someone else, but it would be nice not to be the only one there who's not retired. The first time I ever met anyone close to my age paced was someone I met through here. We thrive, that's what counts, age is just a number.

common misconception

by bluebowtye - 2014-08-26 03:08:39

Hi General365,

You are not the first one to think that! I thought that too (I am 52) and after my implant the first thing people said to me was "you are WAY to young to have a PM" even my pacemaker nurse told me that when I saw her for the first time.

The fact is, anyone no matter what age can have electrical problems with their heart even if they are otherwise healthy and some people are even born with them. There is no known cause and nothing can be done to prevent it. When reading magazines, listening to the news, etc. all you hear about is what to do for the plumbing part of your heart but you never hear of electrical problems and pacemakers so people just don't have any idea until they personally know of someone or need one themselves that they realize PM's are not just for old people. That's how I was before I found this forum.

Maybe someday that will change, I hope so. In the meantime I am just thankful there is this technology to help those of us who do need them regardless of our age.

Take care,
~Sheila

Way too young

by Grateful Heart - 2014-08-26 09:08:17

I hear that too, even from some Doctors....oh well. We all know better now but that was another reason I thought I was doomed. I had just turned 52 also.

Sheila is right, it is electrical so nothing we could have done to cause it or prevent it.

In the waiting room, I've gotten asked a few times why I am there. I'm sure there are younger patients, they must come in at a different time.

Education and attitude are key.

Welcome!

Grateful Heart

Amazed

by general365 - 2014-08-26 09:08:48

And grateful that I found this place just days after the "tuneup". Thanks to everyone. I will be a frequent visitor and poster. Perhaps some day I will be in a position to offer sage advice or enlightenment to the "greenhorns".

I'm not the youngest here...

by MelodyMarch - 2014-08-26 10:08:01

And I'm 33! With Greatful Heart that I am the youngest at the EP's office by a good 30-40 (or more) years usually. Thing is most that get pacemakers younger than me have a congenital issue, and as long as it's a congenital issue you can be handled by a pediatric cardiologist, some of them never pass off patients to "adult" specialists.

My cardiologist likes to joke that I am the patient he will see until he retires, and that is a pleasant break from the routine for him. He has stated to me he expects to change my box three times himself before he retires.

Fact is, no matter the age, most of us are cured or significantly better with the technology implanted in us. I know I am.

More and more cardios are realizing with the advancement of technology that letting us younger folk waste good quality years of our life feeling like crap is not good, and implanting us sooner.

The only way you will feel old is if you tell yourself that! Stay young! Think young! Doesn't matter! We are better off for having an "old person's" device.

Average Age

by NiceNiecey - 2014-08-28 02:08:11

Average age at time of first PM is 77 y/o, according to the Chief Cardiologist of Medtronics over the US and Europe. You ARE the young guy!

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

Member Quotes

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