Looking for advice from 40-somethings & younger with a PM

I'm 42 - and have been in complete heart block for a little over a month due to a cardiac ablation for SVT. I've been meeting with Dr's and exploring my options for PMs. Would love to hear from some younger people who have already gone through this...what can I expect? Am I doing the right thing? Have you been able to lead a "normal" life? I'm used to working out 5x/week - high intensity - and that has stopped since this happened - Is the PM the answer to getting my active lifestyle back? I also have a 4 yr old to keep up with! I'm so concerned about having problems with the PM once it is in...am I better off with out it? I don't think it's safe to live in complete heart block - and I know I can't have another baby in this condition...Thank you for any encouragement and advice you can offer...I don't want to be a victim - I want to be a warrior!

4 Comments

Young Pacemaker Implant

by Good Dog - 2014-12-31 06:12:01

I was 38 when I went into a complete heart block (3rd degree AV Block) and had a dual chamber Medtronic implanted. I am now 66. I obviously had the same concerns that you have.

I can honestly tell you that my pacemaker has not had any negative impact on my life in any way whatsoever. It has enabled me to live a completely normal life in every way. Several months after the implant I was playing very competitive basketball. I was conscious of my pulse at the time and found that my heart rate would exceed the high setting for the pacemaker. Obviously, my heart was working on it's own at times. However, the pacemaker kept my rate from dropping too low (when at rest), which is where I needed it the most.
I think I got into the best shape of my life in my early to mid 50's. I started working-out regularly....jogging and was doing about 300 push-ups every morning. I wore-out my joints, but that is a story for another forum.

Go for it............and enjoy your life!!

No victim here

by civilcy - 2014-12-31 10:12:18

I'm 33 and just reached the 6 week mark of getting a pacemaker. The doctor let me decide on when I would get a pacemaker, because I borderline on needing one. Once my daughter arrived, that decision was made. I feel stupid now for waiting. I don't see a pacemaker holding me back, and I'm finally going to get back on the basketball court this week. Its 6 weeks of not being able to do as much, for a much more safer future.

normal life

by Tracey_E - 2014-12-31 10:12:37

I was born with CHB, got my first pacer at 27. I waited and put it off until my rate was dangerously low. I would not recommend that! If you can't do what you want to do, why suffer? It's an easy fix, just do it and get on with your life.

I'm 48 now, on my 4th device, have had one lead replaced. No other complications. I'm healthy and active, hike or ski every vacation, do Crossfit daily, kayak and zipline every chance I get. No one looks at me and sees a heart patient. I had two babies after I was paced, I too was told under no circumstances was I to get pregnant without it but once I was paced I had normal pregnancies, even worked out until the last week both times and went to the birthing suites rather than the main hospital. There is nothing that I want to do that I cannot. Seriously, I feel terrific and most of the time I forget the pacer is there.

You could read through here and find lots of horror stories, but most are not as healthy with as simple a problem as you, or very much the exception to the rule. Complications happen very infrequently, but those are the people most likely to come here with questions. The rest are out getting on with their lives.

My advice is to ask what kind they have in mind for you. It's nice to get the ones that are mri-compliant, I consider that the biggest drawback for me but it's never been an issue (knock on wood). At least one of the mri-safe devices has an upper limit of 150. You want more than that. That means if your sinus rate was 180, the pacer would only be able to pace your ventricles to 150. That's ok for someone older and sedentary but can be an issue for someone young and active. Most go to 180. There is one Medtronic (not mri-safe) that goes to 220.

My other advice is to have a discussion with your surgeon about placement. The easiest and most common place is just under the skin, just under the collarbone. If they put it a little lower and a little deeper, it will be less conspicuous and less likely to get in your way when you work out. They can also put it sub-pectorally. It depends on your build and your surgeon so have the discussion in advance so they know it's important to you to have it out of the way.

And my last advice is the hardest- don't sweat it. 99% of people come back after the surgery and say the worst part was the waiting, how we built it up in our heads. Most of us find it's easier than expected and we come out of it feeling better than expected.

Last thought, if it's only been a month since the ablation, do they think the block might go away on its own? It's not likely but it might be worth waiting a few months before proceeding to be sure. If it's gotten worse since the ablation or your rate is low enough you might pass out, then don't wait.

Good luck! If you have more questions or just want to chat, don't be shy.

40 in a week!

by Bean19 - 2014-12-31 12:12:21

Hi lisabfit!
I am at the six week mark on Friday and received the pacemaker because of bradycardia and blacking out. I too am very active and fit (a hs PE teacher) and am just getting back to the a-okay go for it work out stage. I have a dual lead medtronics.

I could have gone without the pm but with a ten year old and a just about six year old getting the pm was the safer choice for myself and my family. I am only using the pm .3% of the time and mine is Mri-compatable. I consider my pm as a safety net to keep me from blacking out.

The docs say it's easier than the dentist but it's not quite that easy. It really wasn't too bad and as a young mom it is honestly a little nice to have an excuse to not run around getting everything accomplished, but to let others help you out.

I was walking the day of my surgery but nothing too much more than walking for a few weeks. Listen to your body more than your doc and don't Rush yourself if you choose to get one.

Best of luck and happy new year!

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