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Hi,

I may be getting a pacemaker because of Bradycardia related symptoms. I just thought I had become lazy and forgetful. them the dizziness started. It was almost exhilarating to find out there was something physical causing my symptoms.

Can anyone out there tell me what it is like getting a pacemaker. Does it really improve the quality of life? What types of test should my doctor order to be sure my problem is bradycardia? I have wore the Holter monitor for 48 hours, zio xt patch for 14 days, and I have had a stress test so far.

5 Comments

diagnosis

by Tracey_E - 2015-07-14 08:07:03

Bradycardia is a heart rate under 60, so you've had the appropriate tests to see how low you get and how long you stay low. There is no guarantee the pacer will fix everything,but it's not hard to diagnose a low hr and your symptoms are very typical. Did they say what is causing the low rate, or where it's coming from? It doesn't really matter because there is only one fix for a slow heart rate, whatever the cause, and that is pacing.

Here are some great animations that explain the various causes of brady and how the pacer fixes it
http://health.sjm.com/arrhythmia-answers/videos-and-animations

My rate was in the 40's. Being paced is like night and day! The endless dizziness went away, my mind was more sharp, my energy skyrocketed. For many of us, it's a very easy fix.

thank you

by cjjohnson2 - 2015-07-14 08:07:04

thank you for your comments, they don't know why I have bradycardia at this point. I wonder if it is something I should investigate.

I really hope my mind improves because I used to feel like I was pretty smart :) If it wasn't for a supportive family and job who knows where I would be

cjjohnson2

by zawodniak2 - 2015-07-14 09:07:15

I had similar symptoms and actually fainted and broke a rib. I had bradycardia and I have a left bundle branch block. The cardiologist told me at that time I should get a pace maker. I was in denial and did not get the pm at that time due to extensive and inconclusive electrophysiology testing. After a year, and being I was now more aware of my condition, I had an electrophysiologist perform a tilt table test. He diagnosed my condition as a "lazy heart"'. When I asked him what would happen if I did not get the pm, he said the condition will only get worse and that I would need the pm someday. Being that I drove a motorcoach extensively as a full-time RVer, I did not want to take any unnecessary chances. I had a rate responsive pm put in 8 years ago and recently had it replaced due to depletion of battery life. The pm is set to never let my heart rate go below 60 bpm. and to increase as my activity rate increases. I don't even know it is there! I am now 73 years old, although age should not be a factor if you need a pm. Sounds like you are getting the right tests to confirm your condition. Denial is always an issue when we deal with unsure reasons for our symptoms unless we are in a dire emergency situation. Fortunately, you have time to make reasonably sure that a pm will resolve your condition. You might consider doing as I did and consult with an electrophysiologist for a 2nd opinion. If he confirms the need for a pm, I personally don't think you will regret having it done. Your recovery time is short and painless in most cases and you just stay over night.. And if you need the pm and get it done you should feel much better and even back to your normal self. Let us know the results of your tests and your decision. Good Luck
Rodger

Thank you

by cjjohnson2 - 2015-07-15 05:07:45

Thank you for your information, it helps.

investigation

by Tracey_E - 2015-07-15 08:07:38

If you ask, they may not be able to tell you why it happened but they should be able to tell you where the low rate is coming from. Bradycardia is more of a symptom than a diagnosis. It will be either the sinus node or a block between the sinus and av nodes.

As to what caused the breakdown, most of us never know. Sometimes it is caused by medication or infection, other heart procedures can cause it, sometimes it comes with age, but more often than not it just happens at random with no known cause. The heart is structurally normal and healthy, but the circuitry got wonky.

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