Should I keep pestering the doctors?

I am 49 and very fit, doing lots of exercise each week. For the last 18 months I have experienced dizziness, shortness of breath and fatigue, which is most unlike me. It doesn't stop me doing anything, in fact a vigorous game of squash often makes me feel loads better. My symptoms come and go. I can feel absolutely normal for a few weeks and then feel really lethargic for a few days, or even up to 3 weeks.
I have been to a cardiologist who has done lots of tests and discovered my resting heart rate is in th 40's but dips into the 30's when sleeping. He says the symptoms are not uncommon for someone with a low heart beat and if I can "manage" them then he does not want to give me a pacemaker. My concern is that the periods of feeling bad are getting longer. Why are they getting longer? Is it my age? My cardiologist says maybe I should become "less fit". I am reluctant to do that! Has anybody out there experienced this? How do I know that having a pacemaker is going to take away the symptoms?
Clare from UK

4 Comments

Get a second opinion

by peter - 2007-09-14 03:09:36

I also live in the UK and im afraid you dont always get the treatment you need under the NHS. Your heart rate is dipping far too low. You need a simple single lead demand pacemaker almost certainly. Go to your doctor and asked to be referred to a specialist for a second opinion. Go privately and pay approximately £150.00. This will be a life saver.You can then take your letter back to the NHS and get your pacemaker fitted. You almost certainly need one urgently. This is no time to beat around the bush.You could easily pass out whilst driving your car. This happened to a very close friend of mine whose heart rate was dipping just like yours.
He crashed and blocked the motorway to Birmingham. He has now got a pacemaker. Dont let them give you a cardioversion it will not do you any good. I can assure you that a pacemaker will cure your symptoms.
You are lucky as you only need a basic simple pacemaker and its nothing to worry about. But dont let the NHS fob you off. You can contact me directly on bayhoecott@yahoo.co.uk
Good luck Peter

Sounds familier

by randrews - 2007-09-14 11:09:29

I think I was feeling what you are now. I'm 48 and 6 months ago I was training for my first marathon. I have always had a slow heartrate but as I got fitter I started feeling light headed at work and real sluggish and never slept well. I even went to the doctor. Like you, I always felt better after exercise. I finally passed out in bed after having run a 5 mile race that morning. I got my pm 2 days later. Now I'm a steady 60 bpm.
I like the idea of a second opinion also. It can't hurt.
Let us know how you are doing,
Rusty

Yes, keeps pestering those docs!

by chicken1000 - 2007-09-14 11:09:47

Hi Clare from Uk! Hope the weather's nice where you are. Your story sounds similar to mine although I am 31 years old. My "episodes" starting lasting longer and were becoming more intense and uncomfortable. As a nurse, I tried to rationalize my symptoms away until I finally ended up in the ER when I was working. Long story short, if you have heart block or sick sinus syndrome, its not going to get better whether you decrease your activity or increase it. In fact, heart block tends to progress from second degree to third degree if not treated. Just because you are athletic does not mean that a 30 or 40 bpm is appropriate for you. You need a cardiologist who will perform an electrophysiology exam on you to determine the cause and extent of your electrical conduction problem.
The reason that you feel better when you exercise is that you can get your heart rate up and get yourself out of a slow conduction episode. I also found that I felt better if I exercised and got my heart rate up. I thought for the last 31 years that I was a healthy person and in the matter of 2 weeks found out that I had a severe electrical conduction problem and was given a pacemaker. You obviously sense that something is wrong and I believe in gut feelings. Go with your gut and find yourself another doctor! Good luck and let us know what happens!
--Jenn

Clare. beem there done that

by kimoswim - 2007-09-18 05:09:16

Clare: I have PM installed July 27,1977. a St. Jude
Medical , two lead wires. i have been Hawaii Master
Swimmer and Channel Swimmer for 30 years.
At Age 42 in Ocean race went into AF. been managing
AF for 25 years.. Likely fact is most Doctors do not
understand that true athletes have a "healthy"
BPM around 40. . Up until June 1977 it was 44.
Doctors blindly prescribe a channel blocker, i.e.
Verelan CR 240 MG, apparently most ALL "HEART
MEDICINES" PRIMARY design is to Lower blood pressure and secondarily handle the AF. Doctors are surprised when an athlete comes in and has about 40.
my son is a 38, is a 6 minute runner and police Ranger.
i started in 40-44 range and resting/sleeping dropped into 31-32. This is 95% Bradycardia and is extremely dangerous, my DR, a cardiac surgeon said we had to to install PM. it is set at 60 (prevent Brady) and 135 for
competing. My BPM is now 80 and my extremity
Oxygen was 88% and now 98% ..its simple, your DR
a. doesnt know athletes.b. the Jude Medical PM, is
considered better than medtronic&other. Jude becomes part of my Surgery Team, has longer lead wires for athletes for reaching. p.s athletes can go to 32
because of condition of heart over the Pizza eaters. wr ite me if you need more, of been there , done that,
Kimoswim is my Member name.

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