Heart Block

Pacemakers

by Good Dog - 2023-02-06 16:15:17

It appears that you have a dual chamber device. I am sorry that you had complications at the implant site. Hopefully those troubles are behind you or they will be soon.

I noticed that under the "number of devices" in your profile you entered three (3). I assume you included your leads, but they don't count as a device. The "No. of Devices" is intened to list the number of generators you've had implanted. So you should change that 3 to one (1).

Anyway, if you search on-line you should be able to find plenty of info under a search for: How does a dual chamber pacemaker control heart block?,

Actually, they are very simple when it comes to controlling heart block and they work very well at that task. Of course, when you first get it, you'll have a period of time when your body needs to adjust and the settings are likely going to need to be tweaked to optimize its control. Its primary function is to insure your heart beat is maintained at or above the minimum that is set by your Cardiologist. If you heart is beating on its own as you exercise it simply tracks your own heart beat and doesn't really do anything. However, if your heart misses a beat, it will pick it up. Sometimes if your heart is a little slow with a beat (an irregular beat), you might notice a double-beat as the PM kicks-in a beat and at about the same time your own rhythm kicks in a little late. That is not a problem, but it can feel like there is one. You might feel a little flutter in your chest. Not to worry though, these devices are extremely reliable. It is extremely, extremely rare for them to fail.

So if you heart does not natually increase your heart rate with exercise you can have the "rate response" turned-on. That requires some adjusting when it is turned-on, so you may have to go back to the Doc more than once to get the setting of it optimized. Your rate response may or may not be turned-on, that is something for you to ask the Doc. Aside from those simple things, the PM just insures that your heart rate never drops too low. That is what the minimum setting is programmed to do. So the device is designed to keep your heart beating regularly, above the minimum setting and if needed; increaes your HR with exercise to keep you feeling good! One thing it cannot do is control your blood pressure or any arrhythmias that could occur. Those may require medication if they are a problem.

So that is not a comprehensive explanation, because I tried to keep it simple, but it does cover the most important and necessary functions of the device.

Please do not hesitate to post any questions or concerns here in this forum that you may have in the future. There are lots of knowledgeable people here that are always happy to help when they can.

I wish you the very best!

Sincerely,

Dave

Hugs

by Lavender - 2023-02-06 17:14:47

You've been through a lot. I'm hoping that your hematoma is healing well and that your antibiotics did the job in clearing and preventing any infection. 

I have a pacemaker after fainting for six months. I have complete heart block-the AV node stopped working reliably. I've had it almost two years and never fainted again. The pacemakers are set to not allow your heartbeat to go too slow. 
 

I felt underinformed when I got my pacemaker. I was sent home with almost no information on what to expect. I read a lot here to learn and to teach myself to trust my device. 

Heart Block

by AgentX86 - 2023-02-06 23:05:59

Heart block is one of the easiest things for a pacemaker to fix. All the pacemaker has to do is listen to the beat in the upper chambers (atria) and transmit that beat to the lower chambers (ventricles).  It completely solves the problem.  There are some other things that can go along with any heart issue that make it more difficult but at its base, a pacemaker is a perfect match for the problem.

There are a few books on pacemakers for the patient.  You might try one of them:

<https://www.amazon.com/What-Pacemaker-Cardiologists-Patients-Providers/dp/1481916602/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=pacemaker&qid=1675738952&s=books&sr=1-3>

Heart Block

by jgulleye - 2023-02-06 23:11:40

Thank you Good Dog and Lavender for your comments.  I appreciate the  information.  You can find out a lot on this site. Has been most helpful.

pacing for heart block

by Tracey_E - 2023-02-07 09:30:26

I would say at least a third of us here are paced for heart block, and as agent explained, the pacer fully fixes the problem. All it has to do is play follow the leader and make sure the ventricles beat every time the atria does so it's the easiest condition to fix with pacing. I've been paced for heart block since 1994. I am healthy and active and there's nothing I want to do that I cannot. 

Heart Block

by jgulleye - 2023-02-07 14:13:50

Thank you AgentX 86 and Tracey-E for your comments.  This is very helfull information to find out that the pacemaker does a good job on heart block.

Heart block

by AgentX86 - 2023-02-10 02:07:17

It's a little different that one wheel turning one way and the other the opposite.  I think a better analogy is that the engine is running but someone stole the transmission.  The car may be rolling downhill (or not) but no matter how heavy your foot is on the accelerator, it's not helping. The car will roll as fast as it's going to roll. That may not be enough.

A/V dyssynchrony is the least of the problems of a complete block.