Anyone else have a pacemaker for 2nd Degree AV block Morbitz I? Advice please.

Mobitz Type 1 (Wenkebach)

by Heart-Rhythm-Center.com - 2018-09-06 09:16:21

Tats:

Generally Mobitz Type 1 block does not necessitate pacemaker implantation and 49yo is quite young for pacemaker but not unheard of. At your age (and normal echo and resting 12 lead ECG), it may be worthwhile to consider an implantable loop recorder for recurrent episodes of syncope. I would want to have documented symptomatic bradycardia (slow heart rate) as a cause for my fainting before proceeding with an implanted pacemaker. Finally, if your episodes of fainting are vasovagal in origin, perhaps the Mobitz Type 1 block is an unrelated finding.

Hope this helps.

Skipping beats

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-06 16:00:12

Skipping heartbeats isn't a reason for a pacemaker.  Syncope certainly is but that's unrelated to just "skipped heartbeats".  I don't know about an implantable pacemaker but I'd want to monitor it for longer than 24 hours.  I've had a Holter up to a week, several times, and was given an event monitor for a month, though it only took two days to find the problem.  There are also recording patches now that just stick to the chest, and will record the EKG for a week, I think.  These are only two-lead, of course but should find gross issues like pauses.  I think more research is warranted but syncope is serious business.  No driving until you get this straightened out.

Thank you. Having a stress test today

by Tats - 2018-09-06 16:53:11

Hello and thank you for your advice. The doc said that because I am symptomatic fainting and heart skips on 24 Holter that I should get a PM.  However I’m getting a stress test done this morning and hoping to get more info from that which may help me decide. He did suggest I wear something that monitors for months but after the positive Holter with episodes they out the day he said that the Holter was enough.   My resting ecg shows morbitz I not sure if that’s any further reason for his recommendation but am glad we are now investigating further. 

I’m wondering if the low blood pressure

Cheers 

To pace or not to pace

by Gotrhythm - 2018-09-07 14:00:12

I'm going to add my voice to those suggesting further monitoring before deciding on a pacemaker. 

A stress test looks to see if athersclerosis is present. Good to know, but you need to understand that rhythm problems, like Mobitz type I can happpen in hearts that are perfectly healthy--no sign of heart disease at all, so it might not settle the question of need for a pacemaker.

The reason that I and others are suggesting a longer period on a monitor is that rhythm problems are often intermittant, occurring once every several hours to once every several days or even less frequently. It's possible to have more than one kind of rhythm problem. The fact that you have fainted twice suggests that a rhythm problem more severe than Mobitz type I could be going on.

Having a clearer picture on what your heart rhythm issues are (if any) will make the decision to get a pacemaker or not easier.

Peace of Mind

by NowBionic - 2018-09-07 17:55:17

I am also 49 years old. In April I started feeling fluttering in my chest and stomach. I didn't really pay much attention, as I thought it was a pulled muscle from working out. One day after a walk it didn't stop as it had in the past. I went to an urgent care facility. They declared I was in 3rd degree heart block and needed to be rushed to the ER. Long story short, I was in 3rd Degree with an escape route, second degree and was Wenkebach most of the time. I was fitted with a loop recorder for two months and run through tests. When my stress test also showed 3rd degree block, to second, my EP recommended a PM. I received my PM 7.26.18. I am now 6 weeks Post Op and I am happy I moved forward with the PM. While I had never passed out, or even come close, the looming fear of something going wrong was difficult. I have returned to a full and active life.

This site has been invaluable for normalizing something completely foreign to me previously. It has been a source of comfort, answers and friendship. I hope this helps a little. Please feel free to private message me if you have more questions. 

Thank you.. Getting an implantable loop recorder

by Tats - 2018-10-01 07:08:42

Hello.  Im not sure if adding a comment is like FB where its an ongoing conversation.  But I did want to thank everyone for your continued support and valuable comments and advice.  This site has been a source of comfort and information.  I thank you.  

I am now scheduled for an implantable loop recorder.  Im happy that I wont be jumping into a permanent Pacemaker at this stage.  Knowing that I will be looked after and am moving forward with this issue has been a great piece of mind.   

Kind Regards.