Debating Getting a Pacemaker after Surgeon Recommendation

Hello I would appreciate your input and opinion.

I am 57 years old and have a partial malfunctioning sinus node and when I run I sometimes get lightheaded.  Recently I had a couple lightheaded incidents while only walking and one while sitting.  I wore a heart monitor for 8 days and had a few 3-4 second heart pauses and one 6 second pause.  The Electro Doctor is recommending a two chamber pacemaker for me because of the fear that I will pass out one of these days although I never have.  I am concerned the Doctor is being over conservative.  I have several questions:

1) Has anyone had these symtoms and would recommend getting a pacemaker?

2) Does a two chamber pacemaker limit your golf swing?

3) Can you do extensive weight training with a pacemaker?

3 Comments

Don't be foolish!

by AgentX86 - 2020-05-12 22:09:28

If you pass out on the stairs you could kill yourself.  If you pass out while driving it could kill someone else.  A six-second pause is enough reason to get a pacemaker.  It won't get better and could easily become infinite (sudden cardiac death).

No, after you're fully recovered it won't affect your golf swing.

Weight training isn't an issue though I was warned not to press free weights.  Dropping one on the shoulder could crush the leads.

just do it

by Tracey_E - 2020-05-13 10:15:34

When you are passing out is too late. What if you are driving or on stairs when it happens? A 6 second pause is long enough that your heart could not start back up again. You are symptomatic, you've got a clear reason for the symptoms from the holter. You want to get rid of the dizzy spells, you don't want to live in fear of passing out. IMO, it's a no brainer. If I had to take a guess, I'd predict your energy will increase after. Having a too low resting rate sucks our energy. 

After you heal, you can play golf and lift weights. I've done Crossfit for the last 9 years, been paced for 26 years. Make sure they know you lift before surgery so they place it where it can't be crushed. My doctor told me no restrictions, do what I like as long as I stay active and fit. I've never held back and never had a problem. I also kayak every chance I get, love ropes courses, ride roller coasters, hike or ski most vacations. The pacer does not hold me back at all. Just the opposite, it enables me to do things I didn't have the stamina for before. 

6 seconds of summer

by Monique - 2020-05-13 13:08:43

I'm 60 and last summer I had 3 episodes within 3 months of passing out cold without forewarning of any kind. Twice, smashing my head on the concrete and once waking up in my hallway by myself because I live alone. I was hesitant to accept a pacemaker because I wanted to be sure it was necessary. So I opted for an implantable loop recorder. One month later, my cardiologist interrogated my loop recorder and saw that I had multiple episodes of 6 second pauses. I had intermittent 2nd-3rd degree AV block. He insisted I go by ambulance to the ER and he implanted a Medtronic 2 lead paemaker the next day. That was 10/31/19.

Today, I currently have no pauses. My PM transmissions have been read and there is nothing alarming to report. I had a PM because of Left Bundle Branch Block. Today I run, lift weights, swim, use the elliptical, and hike. I call it my little helper and I'm glad there are things such as this to save people's lives.

 

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Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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