I have to decide for pacemaker, Help me !

Hello everyone,

 

First of all, I apologize for my English, I will write with the help of translate, I can't find much information and resources about pacemakers in my own country.I am 30 years old. I talked a little bit about my situation earlier. I have 3rd degree heart block, It appeared completely randomly. I have been doing active sports for the last 5-6 months. I lost 21 kilos, I actively do hit cardio, weight training and playing football for fun. Never in my life have I experienced dizziness, heart palpitations or fainting. But when my wife bought me a smartwatch as a gift. We saw that my heart rate was around 45-53 bpm. For this, we went to a doctor's control, exertion test, holter, blood pressure and ultrasound were taken. In the effort test, my heart rate went up to 140 bpm. However, when the holter was tested 2 times for 24 hours, one paused for around 3 seconds many times and once a pause of 5 seconds was observed. The second holter test didn't show major pauses, but the doctor said there was a clear 3rd degree block in the middle. He said he didn't want to push me into pacemaker responsibility at an early age. He sent me for a heart MRI in another city. The doctor who took the MRI and my own doctor said that there are no very important problems. Apart from that, I got the opinion of a few other doctors. My own doctor, a successful cardiologist professor. My doctor recommends that I have obvious 3rd degree block and use a pacemaker to make my life more secure, But he wants me to make the decision. He says he can wear it now if I want, and if I don't want it, I have to go for a checkup again after 3 months.Please help me, give me an idea. It is very difficult to make this decision when you do not feel any problem in terms of heart, and i have to be honest i'm so scared.


7 Comments

Pacemaker?

by AgentX86 - 2022-11-27 13:57:35

It would be a question for me too. A five second pause is right on the line between pacemaker and no pacemaker. However, the third degree heart block isn't going to get better. It's now or later. The pauses aren't going to get better either. I'd do it now. There really isn't any reason to wait.

Hi

by Bionic Beat - 2022-11-27 17:59:46

If I were you, I would return to the cardiologists and ask for clarification.

3rd degree heart block is usually considered to be a medical emergency and requires a pacemaker.

Pauses in your heart beat, of short duration, can be 'normal' for many people and are often not considered to be a problem/risk unless they are having syncope (fainting) or other symptoms.

Perhaps something is being lost in translation here but you do need, IMO, to get clarification and take the advice of the cardiologists.  
Best Wishes,

Bionic Beat

Answer is in your own words

by Lavender - 2022-11-28 08:41:50

You posted "My own doctor, a successful cardiologist professor. My doctor recommends that I have obvious 3rd degree block and use a pacemaker to make my life more secure,"

There you have it.

Your doctor is a successful cardiac professor. 

Your doctor recommends a pacemaker. 

I have third degree heart block. I have a pacemaker. No more worrying about passing out while driving or shopping. Mine started small but got worse and more frequent until I finally had a 33 second pause which nearly ended my life...had my boyfriend not started my heart again with a precordial thump. Had I been alone, I believe I would be dead. 

You asked about this two months ago and I see you are still agonizing over this decision.  People much younger than you have pacemakers so age is not a factor.

See if you can get another thirty day heart monitor since you feel that the first one may be incorrect.  However if your EKG shows heart block, as you stated, then it's there.

Long term

by Gotrhythm - 2022-11-28 13:39:46

Let me add to what has already been said (but your cardiologist might not have told you.)

Heart rhythm issues do not get better and over time, they do get worse. It's just the way it is. Also, although doing all you can to maintain heart health is good, rhythm problems, like heart block, can happen in otherwise healthy hearts. Having a healthy heart will not prevent heart block or make it go away.

I'm sure you feel too young, but you are the exact kind of patient the pacemaker was first developed for. Someone young, healthy, who can lead a normal and long, productive life--with the help of a pacemaker.

By all means, take your time. Get all the information you can. Research the best hospitals and be aware of your long term needs. But if you're clinging to the hope that you can get by without it, don't.

Thanks for the kindly informations

by crystalarch07 - 2022-11-29 05:36:02

Thank you very much everyone.

It is very reassuring to get information from the experiences of experienced people on this subject. 

 

 

Drug side effect?

by Shementush - 2022-12-09 05:11:42

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/162007-medication
 

are you taking any of the above link's drugs that can cause 3rd degree block? 

Hi

by crystalarch07 - 2022-12-09 05:39:30

Hello, I do not have any medication that I use regularly. Just occasional painkillers. I haven't talked to my doctor again since the last conversation and I haven't come to a decision for surgery. I'm just researching. I still continue to exercise and do not have a problem. I am very confused and this is a big unknown for me.

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

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