What happened to my Afibs?

Medtronic pacer. Had my checkup yesterday and Doctor said that since my last checkup in September 2013 until now the pacer did not register any afibs. Isn't that odd? Also the pacer was installed in Feb 2007 and the Doctor said the battery is good for another 5 years. Does this make any sense?

Ken

4 Comments

Hi

by Pookie - 2014-05-15 01:05:49

I cannot explain why your Afib went away, but isn't that a good thing? (I have never experienced it).

As for battery life - I will have had my pacemaker 10 years this coming November; with approximately one year remaining as of my last interrogation which was 2 weeks ago.

It varies, however, from person to person.

I always ask for a print out from each visit. I don't understand everything, but I just like to have it. On this report it will tell you how much battery life is remaining. I know not all of us are privy to obtaining this report, but it doesn't hurt to ask for it.

Take care,
Pookie

Do you still have Afib?

by Duke999 - 2014-05-15 05:05:54

Do you still have symptoms or have knowledge that you had those Afib episodes?

If you know that you had those episodes and your PM didn't record those sessions, then something is wrong.

But if you didn't have any symptoms or felt any of those episodes, then somehow, miraculously, you were Afib free.
Then, that's good news. Gladly take that and be happy.

But as far as I know, the PM can't solve AFib problem. Manufacturer may claim to have features/algorithms to reduce Afib episodes, but I don't think it works. I have those algorithms turned on, but AFib still come and go as it pleases. Afib can't be solved, it can only be controlled with drugs, diet, etc. and of course ablation.
I wish you well.

Duke

Be glad!!

by Sunnydaze - 2014-05-15 08:05:32

I can only speak from experience, and from what my Cardiologist had told me. Before my PM I, too had, A-Fib episodes lots of them. After the PM was implanted I had fewer, and fewer "captured" episodes of A-Fib. That doesn't mean I don't still have the occasional short episodes of A-Fib, just not long enough for my PM to identify the episode. I still have lots of PVC's..after awhile I learned to live with these, they use to alarm me, but now it's just part of my life. I don't know if my PM "cured" the A-Fib, but I do know I have considerably less episodes. I hope this helps you.

Your PM life depends on how much your heart is using it. Mine has been in me 9 years, I am paced between 75-90% of the time! but I'm not PM dependent. I have about 1 month of battery life left before my PM trips, and will need to be replaced. When the interrogation is done the report you get, or the doctor reads, tells him how much battery life is left. I was told 8 months ago I had 6-12 months, a few weeks ago I was told 1-6 months. So, now I wait!!!

Sounds good

by Tony G - 2014-05-15 09:05:59

Hi,

I don't know if it odd, but it may be that your heart is stregthening.

As for battery life they say about 10 years is normal. But that canvary as far as how often it is used. Your regular monitoring will give you a good lead time as to when the battery is low.

Good luck,
Tony

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