headaches

I will have a 3 lead CRT device implanted in 3 weeks.
I have a LBBB and EF of 30%. I have felt tired and low endurance for several months. The past 4 or 5 months I have experienced strong headaches when waking in the morning. My cardiologist never comments on this. Has anyone had this pain and does the CRT help?
Another question -- the 3rd lead attaches to the outside of the heart. Has anyone experienced a problem with the 3rd lead?
jrp

3 Comments

Regarding the third lead:

by slickmv - 2015-12-28 03:12:56

It attaches to the outside of the ventricle, but it does that by snaking down one of the veins on the outside of the heart. All three leads go in at a vein coming from your (insertion side) arm. One lead goes into the right atrium, one goes through there and the bicuspid valve into the right ventricle, and finally the third doesn't go *into* the heart at all, but is diverted into a cardiac vein to reach the outside of the left ventricle.

Pretty fun, huh?

Hello

by mytrose43 - 2015-12-28 09:12:01

I don't know much about crt but just a thought I was waking up every morning with horrible headaches I went to see my Pulmonary Dr for my asthma this was before I had my pacemaker also but he said that can be a sign of sleep apnea and sent me in for testing and sure enough I had severe sleep apnea once I started using the CPAP the headaches went away I still get them when I don't use my cpap which i don't use to often anymore but its worth talking to your Dr about.good luck

it could be apnea

by knb123 - 2015-12-28 09:12:16

I, too, experienced headaches upon waking and my doctor sent me to a sleep specialist who examined me and ordered a sleep study. Indeed, the study showed I had apnea. Luckily for me, the apnea was worst when I slept on my back and almost negligible when sleeping on either side so through therapy I have been trained to sleep on my sides only. I cannot remember the last time I awoke with a headache.

A couple of years after the apnea diagnosis, I was diagnosed with complete heart block and received a PM. I subsequently learned that there's a high correlation between sleep apnea and heart issues.

Do mention your headaches to your primary care physician and ask if he or she can recommend a sleep specialist.

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