New member - pacemaker installed Fri 3-6-2020

Not unless something goes VERY wrong

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-10 17:07:49

Your pacemaker leads are introduced into the heart via the femoral vein, up through the veins and into the right atrium (and possibly the right ventricle). The diagnostic cath enters through the femoral or radial arteries and are steered into the arteries around the heart. It doesn't actually enter the atria or ventricles. The two are well separated.

THANK YOU

by Nascarsuzi - 2020-03-10 17:18:51

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE.  THIS HAS BEEN A STRESSFUL 3 MONTHS IN 2020.  3 EPISODES OF SYNCOPE LED TO A SLEW OF NEURO & CARDIO TESTS FOLLOWED BY A 30 DAY EVENT MONITOR WHICH CAUGHT MY HEART STOPPING FOR 4-8 BEATS AND THEN SPONTANEOUSLY STARTING AGAIN.  PRETTY SCAREY TO SEE THAT CARDIO STRIP!!!!

NOW WHEN I THOUGHT WE SOLVED THE PROBLEM WE ONLY HAVE  A PIECE OF IT HANDLED.  IM JUST ABOUT READY TO HAVE A GOOD CRY....I KNOW THAT WON'T HELP.

You're not alone

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-10 22:36:34

Many of us here have gone through what you're going through.  It's a good bunch of people and will help you out anyway they can.  You're unlikely to find a group of people, anywhere, who know more about what you're going through.  Some of us are better at the technical aspects and some the mental/physical but we're all here to help you get through this.

Welcome to the group and I hope you hang in here to help others as you get used to being paced.  For now, remember, that you're among the living.   The pacemaker will continue to make sure you stay that way. It's a good thing!

Have your cry. Then dry your eyes.

by Gotrhythm - 2020-03-11 13:54:22

I had a cardiac cath about 18 months post pacemaker. The pacemaker presented no concerns at all. It was truly a non-issue.

You'll be fine.

BTW, it takes a while to wrap your head around what living with a pacemaker means--actually the mental/emotional adjustment is harder and takes longer than getting the device installed. While you are coming to terms with your new "normal.' it's important to remember that having a pacemaker does not make you suddenly more fragile or vulnerable than you were. Some things like MRIs require special handling but medical tests and procedures are not more dangerous because you have a pacemaker.

Unfortunately, having a pacemaker doesn't "vaccinate" against any other heart problems.

There's nothing wrong with having a good cry. In my experience sometimes that's exactly what's needed to relieve a terrible feeling of pressure in the chest.

Have your cry. Then dry your eyes and start marshalling your inner resources and outer resources. One resource you have is Pacemaker Club where there is always someone who cares and usually someone who can give you real information.