just wondering

I just now joined. My doctor told me a couple of months ago that sometime in my life I will need a pacemaker. Im 55 years old. My heart rate stays between mid 50's to mid 60's when im not walking or exercising. I was wondering what rate were some of the members of this forum at when they had to get a pacemaker. Im really wanting to put it off as long as I can but dont want to chance anything bad happening by waiting.

9 Comments

age

by Tracey_E - 2015-03-31 03:03:55

Your rate isn't that low, nothing bad will happen! When you start to have symptoms, when you struggle to exercise, when you're tired all the time, just do it. Don't put it off until you're miserable like I did. I had no idea how good I could feel with it and in hindsight I feel like I wasted two years when I could have been active instead of struggling.

I was 5 when first told I'd need one. I was 27 when I got the first one. I needed it at 25, would have benefited from it earlier than that. That was in 1994 and I've been through 4 of them since then. I'm healthy and active and haven't once regretted anything other than putting it off so long.

just wondering

by beverly - 2015-03-31 07:03:22

Thank you so much for responding. I feel better about it. I guess its the not knowing what to expect that worries us all. Thank you again.

the unknown

by Tracey_E - 2015-03-31 09:03:49

The unknown is always scary! So, read up so it's not unknown and you go into it informed. There weren't sites like this when I got my first one so I went into it blind, and terrified which is why I procrastinated so long. Check out these animations. They do a great job of explaining the various conditions that lead to a pacer, how the pacer is inserted and how it works.
http://health.sjm.com/arrhythmia-answers/videos-and-animations

Really, tho, your rate is barely within the definition of bradycardia (<60 bpm). People can go for many years with rates in the 50's, even 40's, without needing a pm. Drs don't know everything, so cross that bridge when you get to it. If you get to it. And if you do, know that it's really not a big deal. It's a simple surgery with a fast recovery and we have very few restrictions after we heal. There's nothing I want to do that I cannot.

thank you

by beverly - 2015-03-31 11:03:24

Thank you so much. You have put my mind at ease for sure. I have read a lot about pacemakers and Bradycardia but it just seemed to scare me even more what I read. I will definitely check the site you recommended.

Same as you

by Busdriver - 2015-04-01 01:04:41

Beverly, I am a 55 yo male, had bradycardia with a heart rate in the low 30's. I am not sure how long I was "sick" but I can say for sure I wish I had gotten a pacemaker long ago. Now I have a steady HR of 60 bpm, feel great and have even lost over 20 pounds because I feel like doing something all the time! Now if I could just find a job.....

thanks again

by beverly - 2015-04-01 04:04:52

Busdriver, im glad you are doing great. I dont feel sick at all. My heart rate, like I said, stays in mid 50's to mid 60's. Im thinking as long is it stays there I'll be ok. Thank you for your comment.

ME TOO!

by Runningmama - 2015-04-03 10:04:23

I was 34 when I got mine; one day bradycardia and heart block (stage 2/3) type 2 came to town. My heart rate was normally in the low 50's high 40's (I'm super fit) but at night, it would drop to the 30's and stop...I am now on demand paced at 50 (my pacer only watches until I hit below 50 or don't beat for 1.1 seconds, then I get a pace). I know one thing, I feel alot better now!

new to me

by beverly - 2015-04-03 10:04:58

This is all new so could you tell me what heart block stage 2/3 type 2 means exactly? Does that and bradycardia go hand in hand?

big words

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-06 08:04:01

Bradycardia just means a heart rate lower than 60 bpm. It's a symptom more than a diagnosis. Having bradycardia doesn't necessarily mean you have heart block, other things can also cause it.

Block refers to the electrical signal between the atria and the ventricles, not blocked arteries. Those of us with heart block often have a normal sinus rhythm (atrial rate) but the signal doesn't make it to the ventricles so our heart beat is too slow. 2 or 3 refers to how often the signal gets blocked.

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