BRADYCARDIA
I HAVE ONLY RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE ILLNESS(3WEEKS) AND SEEING A CARDIOLOGIST SOON.I HAVE HAD 1 EKG AND ECHO AS WELL AND FORTUNATELY OR NOT MY HEART IS IN GOOD SHAPE OTHER THAN LOW PULSE,44 TO 55.mY CONUNDRUM IS THAT THE TECHNIIAN HAS STATED THAT A PACEMAKER IS UNLIKELY SINCE I AM OTHERWISE HEALTHY.THE LEVEL OF FATIGUE THAT I COPE WITH IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE;THIS IS VERY NEW TO ME AS I WAS AN ACTIVE GUY EVEN THO RETIRED AND WORKED A PHYSICAL JOB MY ENTIRE WORKING YEARS.I NEED TO PERSUADE THE CARDIOLOGIST TO RECONSIDER THE TREATMENT.BY THE WAY CAUSE AT THIS POINT IS UNKNOWN.
5 Comments
coping
by new to pace.... - 2022-06-23 17:21:38
What illness.
After a stress test, echo and wearing a heart holter. Showed slow heart beat and missed ones said i needed a pacemaker. No other problems.
Suggest to your dr. you would like a stress test, and to wear a heart holter . Should show what is going on.Because i have bad knees did not go the treadmill route.
Doing well now.
new to pace
Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
by AgentX86 - 2022-06-23 19:23:18
This is a description not a diagnosis. As said above, your doctors have to get the the bottom of the problem. Many people live quite well with heart rates that low. I did for many years. Your lethargy is far more worrying. They're probably related but the causal arrow isn't obvious. Your low heart rate could be causing your fatigue or it's entirely a third issue is causing both.
The technician isn't helpful. Just because you're "otherwise healthy" (how does he know?) doesn't mean that you don't need a pacemaker.
I didn't want to scare you but having a pacemaker isn't a big deal. Just have your cardiologist figure out what's wrong and fix it. You might need an EP (electrophyiologist) to get to the bottom of an electrical problem. Cardiologists are plumbers. For electrical problems, call an electrician (EP).
Please fill out your profile. It helps us craft a reponse to your questions. Your hardware, condition, and even your location matters. We have a lot of Brits and Yanks, as well as some from around the world, here. The answers are quite often different for the same question. Things are done differently.
Pacemakers for bradycardia--yes, even for people with healthy hearts
by Gotrhythm - 2022-06-25 14:34:33
The technician was mistaken in telling you that "being otherwise healthy" means you can't get a pacemaker. It doesn't. Although some have a pacemaker because of heart disease, many, many Pacemaker Club members are very healthy, in excellant physical condition, and except for arrythmias (bradycardia is just type of arrythmia,) have healthy hearts.
When it comes to arrythmias, sometimes the cause is known and treatable, but very often, a specific cause cannot be found. I remember being very puzzled and confused, and frustrated that no doctor could tell me what had caused my bradycardia, since every test, EKG, echocardiogram, even cardiac catherterization, showed a normal heart.
What Agent86X says about seeing an EP is right on--especially since tests are showing your heart seems healthy. An Electrophysiologist is a cardiologist who specializes in heart rhythm disorders, like bradycardia. An EP is the person who can determine if you need a pacemaker.
I wish I had understood the difference and had seen one sooner. I understand just how bad a too slow heartbeat can make you feel, and I wasted time and money being told "nothing" was wrong with my heart.
Bradycardia
by Pacer54 - 2022-07-01 23:53:29
It took two years for my Cardiologist to refer me to an Electrocardiologist (EP). I took every test out there and wore a heart monitor multiple times. Tests showed my heart was healthy, no damage, no valve issues, no structural issues and no volume issues. The heart monitor captured the issue. One visit to the EP after reviewing my tests and monitor results showed an electrical issue with my heart. It turns out your heart can be structurally and physically fine but the electrical part can have issues. I have Sinus Node Dysfunction or SSS (Sick Sinus Syndrome).
My symptoms were fatigue that got worse, bouts of intermittent Afib and Tacs, heart rate often below 60. He told me I had 3 options: a pacemaker, ablation, or do nothing. The pacemaker only takes care of the Bradycardia, medicine takes care of the Tacs (high heart rate).
6 weeks after seeing him I got a PM. It has been 7 weeks and I feel so much better. I too was very active until this happened.
My point here is you need to get to the right doctor and a good one. I would request to wear a heart monitor and see what it shows. Then ask to be referred to an EP if there are issues. As noted earlier fit people often have a low heart rate It is the other symptoms that separate wether there is an issue or not.
Hope this helps and all the best to you.
You know you're wired when...
You trust technology more than your heart.
Member Quotes
It made a HUGE difference in my life. Once I got it, I was finally able to run, and ride my bike long distances.
Problem
by doublehorn48 - 2022-06-23 16:34:05
The cause at this point is unknown. That, to me, is the reason they aren't pushing for a pacemaker. If it's like my case, the doctors didn't mention a pacemaker until they knew what was causing my drop in heart rate. My opinion is you need to go somewhere that will do the tests to find out the cause of your slow heart rate. All that physical work you've been doing has made your heart a lot stronger.
Good luck.