Pacemaker

On 6/8/2007 I had to go to the emergency room due to sharp chest pains, at first i didn't want to go thinking it was gas!!! but pain was getting worse so i decided it was time for me to go to the hospital. As soon as I got into the emergency I had a heart attack!!! my heart stoped for 5 seconds (flatline) hr later second heart attack, heart stops for 6 seconds, minutes later third heart attack, this time stops for 8 seconds, I only woke up for the cardiologist to tell me I needed a pacemaker and there was no time to think about it, or else I wasn't going to make it!!! I still don't know the reason for my heart attacks, I didn't have any problems before, no cholesterol, no clogged veins, no blood pressure. I have to confess I'm a little scared I'm a 35 year old with two beautiful babies that still need me, 3yr old and an 18 month old. Sometimes I still have sharp chest pains sometimes, is this normal after having a pacemaker on, am I at a risk of getting another heart attack?

Debbie

1 Comments

Hi Debbi,

by Gellia2 - 2007-07-25 06:07:18

I wonder. Did the dr say you had an actual heart attack (where the actual cardiac muscle dies) or was it perhaps, a heart seizure, or "asystole". Asystole is when the heart "pauses" or stops, sometimes for many seconds. That would necessitate a pacemaker. Perhaps you did not have muscle death when you had your asystole? If that is the case, you are at no more risk of having an actual heart attack than anyone else. If your doctor mentioned an "infarction", that's a different story. Once you find out for sure, I think you will be able to move forward without fear.
Hoping the best for you,
Gellia

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I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.