Leads damaged

Hi!
I had my pacemaker checked in the office yesterday and the tech said it is making a lot of "noise" and she suspects either the leads or the caps are damaged. My pacemaker was implanted in 2004. The doctor is on vacation for one month, and I live in a small town. Could someone please clarify for me:
1. What are pacemaker "caps?" Do we all have them?
2. What is this "noise" she was talking about it?
3. What can be done about it?
4. Am I in some kind of danger with my pacemaker?
I am very grateful if you can give me some help! I am 76 years old, my husband is 84, and I am responsible for caring for him.
Thank you.
Ariela

3 Comments

Items are....

by Theknotguy - 2015-08-14 07:08:08

Caps are the coverings on the leads going into the PM. Sometimes they can have problems. You've had your PM for a long time so the caps may have had time to have problems. It's really good your PM has worked so well for so long.

The PM should get a clear signal from the leads. Interference is called "noise". Because you're having problems with something, it's not giving you a clear signal. Hence "noise".

What can be done? Replace PM, replace leads. Sometimes they just boost the voltage. It depends upon what your EP decides. And what they find in testing. Of course, no one knows what that is yet. The tech may feel you have "noise", but the EP may find it within acceptable limits.

Are you in danger? Probably not. If it wasn't working correctly, you'd know it and probably be in a hospital with them taking care of it. My standard reply is - if no one is running down the hall screaming, it probably isn't a crisis. So you don't have to worry about it. In the meantime, take a deep breath and go on with your life.

What you don't want to do is to talk yourself into a panic attack or some other crisis. Just continue as you have been. Let your EP explain what he/she wants to do.

Hope everything continues to go well for you.

ditto

by Tracey_E - 2015-08-14 08:08:12

Knotguy said it perfectly! Leads age. This is the earliest sign that a lead is starting to perform less than perfectly. Best case you just watch it, as I did for more than 5 years. Worst case, you get a new one with your next battery, again, no big deal. I hate when they throw terms around that worry us!

Many thanks

by Ariela - 2015-08-31 07:08:32

Thank you for taking the time to answer me. It made me feel relieved that at least I am not in any kind of danger, and you explained the problem well. i wish everyone were so clear!
My electrophysiologist will see me on September 14, and we will evaluate the options then.
While having the X-Ray for the leads, it was discovered that I have emphysematous COPD, pleural effusions, and enlarged lungs! Now what? Well... life is still good!

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.