Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

Post Message!

Entresto update...

Well... it's still going REALLY well after almost two weeks, I am feeling much better than I was, with more energy than I've had since before the pacemaker. So far, I've noticed there are NO new side effects with the added Entresto, which is a huge relief! It's frustrating that thanks to someone's error, I wasn't able to take this medication a year ago when I first tried. It would have been great to feel better a year ago. But there's nothing I can do about that no...

Read More...

Life Line Screening

Is it OK to have these ultrasound tests done.  I have a pacemaker.

Read More...

How is this even possible? Unbelievable change!

You guys aren't going to believe this! I can't believe it myself, it's so far fetched. I started taking Entresto last Friday morning, my doctor prescribed the lowest dose and said to cut it in half so I could be very slowly acclimated. Well... I braced myself for the side effects and was fully prepared to "take on" this newest challenge. I decided to stay with my Mom in town in case there were complications from it and even bought my usual 'gentle foods' for the...

Read More...

PVC's

68 y/o very active male, I am 6 months post op dual lead Medtronic pacemaker.  100% right ventricle pacing, 38% rt atrium pacing with a VVI algorithm and 150 BPM top and 60 BPM bottom.  Started having PVC's a week ago for no apparent reason, no change in lifestyle at all I can point to as a contributor.  Sent a pacemaker transmission through my App and my cardiologist set me up for an appointment this afternoon to discuss.  My PVC's are constant, skipping beats, po...

Read More...

Advice for taking Entresto

Okay.... Ta..da... drum roll please...

I got my Entresto today and took half of the lowest dose to start; making it easier on my sensitive system. My question is, I'm supposed to take it twice a day, but I already take my Carvedilol twice daily at 7:30am and 7:30pm but I read somewhere that taking the two drugs at the same time was difficult for some... so, how should I take it? My usual method is I get up, have a piece of toast and a few ounces of milk to take my Carvedilol. Then a...

Read More...

If you could rename Heart Failure, what would you call it?  

No one likes the term “heart failure” since it implies a terminal condition.  Heart Failure sounds so final as though it is the end stage of all diseases related to the heart.  But is it always so final for those of us who have been given a diagnosis of heart failure when it may have a treatable or even reversible cause in some instances, especially if it is caught early?

Instead should we perhaps call it something like Heart weakness, Heart impairment or Hear...

Read More...

Now I know why I had problems with Entresto! Gonna try it again....

Many of you know my issues with Entresto, I didn't exactly tolerate it well right away the first time. And you want to know why? Well... as it turns out, they forgot to tell me that I was supposed to stop taking my Losartin because you can't take both together! It's no wonder I had problems right away! So... with that said, I've decided to give it another go. I'll take the lowest dose, cut that in half and start there. Wish me LUCK everyone! I'm hoping that the Entrest...

Read More...

Gut Microbiome

We’ve talked about diet quite a bit recently on this forum, so I apologise for bringing it up again but there’s a lot of information being passed on to consumers (and patients) re: improving our gut microbiome and how we should aim to eat 30 different plant based food items p/week for various reasons. Reasons include: the impact on the environment, our intestinal health, to improve our immune system, reduce inflammation and for the prevention of diseases - e.g. gastrointestinal di...

Read More...

Why no test for "ischemic heart disease" after PM?

This issue came up because my older sister had a stroke recently.  She is doing well in rehab and may escape any long term effects, but her doctor was asking her about the family cardiac history and she asked me to give her specifics about my problems that led to getting the PM.

So I looked at my hospital records from 2021.  I came across this note from the doctor who did the PM, "recommended consideration for ischemic heart disease or cardiac sarcoidosis." 

...

Read More...

Left Chest Ache

Had the PM fitted in December 2023. Recently I have been feeling some aches on the left side of my chest a little lower than the armpit. Is it related? 

Read More...

Have Afib?

Amazing video of an ultrasound of a heart in Afib. Check the clot bouncing around in there, ready to cause havoc.  This highlights the importance of not missing your prescribed blood thinner dose.

Copy and paste link in your browser:

https://x.com/em_resus/status/1771735405659889854?s=46&t=5R-ofKdS4Yqevba38JFpfA

Read More...

Defibrillator with pacemaker

I currently have a three lead pacemaker being I have total AV block I am wanting to percent pacemaker dependent.

AV block I am wanting to percent pacemaker dependent.

I have recently been diagnosed with cardiac ATTR Amylodosis. 

I am in constant  flutter. 

My EP Dr suggested maybe I needed to fibrillator as well as back up in case I have issues with fast heart rate.

Normally, I'm at 80 but now I'm at 100 occasionally dropping to 80.

H...

Read More...

Peptides and low heart arrythmia

Does anyone in this forum have experience in peptides . 

Do they harm , as anyone tried them ? 

Hope all is well 

Read More...

New member!

New Member from the Bahamas, first pacer in feb 22, after passing out for the first time in my life.

Pulse at 30, bp low so I got airlifted to Fla, had the first pacer within 24 hrs.

6 week follow up occasioned a DNA test looking for the cause of my total heart block, and 38%EF, and hypertropic cardio myopathy.

Test came back being positive for late onset FABRY'S Disease which is an X cromosone enzyme disorder!

Have been on a very expensive med for the fabrys which...

Read More...

Statins

Hi everyone, I have always thought my diet was exceptionally healthy, but my Cholesterol numbers aren’t exactly where they should be and my cardiologist is thinking about Statins and a lot else if coronary artery disease is confirmed, but I will tell you about the rest another time when I know more and have had a range of tests. 

I may try to get these numbers down with lifestyle and diet alone.  Can you give me any advice about Statins?  Never tried them.  May...

Read More...

Chronotropic Incompetence

When I first received a PM, like many others I received a diagnosis of CI alongside SND.  My consultant shared the 72hr holter monitor results with me which evidenced the low h/rates when my diary notes evidenced that I was at the gym.  My legs felt like lead on a running machine and RR and the pacemaker removed these symptoms. 

The CI diagnosis was then called into doubt after years of RR pacing on a sensitive setting, and so many people confirmed that it was no longer p...

Read More...

CRT

I wasted 10 months being on beta blocker plus valsartan at time diagnosed with non-ischemic left bundle branch block. The hope was to manage the LBBB even though the only symptoms initially were shortness of breath upon exertion. My ejection fraction remains at 40-45 percent.  There is a ton of medical opinions that say medication does nothing for LBBB. In fact, we had to discontinue the beta blocker but kept on the valsartan.  Heart was monitored with a zio patch after ten months o...

Read More...

Quick question, side effect of Coreg? Carvedilol?

A lot of you know I've been taking the 25mg twice daily Carvedilol/Coreg for two weeks now. I noticed with the previous dose that I'm getting blurred vision a lot. Now with the bigger doseage, it's really irritating. I have to take my glasses off because my vision is no better with them on. Will I eventually adjust to this side effect? Or will I end up taking less Carvedilol? Yes, I did send a message to my doctor, but he hasn't responded yet. 

Read More...

Metoprolol Succinate and Lopressor for Class IIB HFrEF

My cardiologist started me on very low doeses of both of these meds over the last six months as we began testing to determine if I was a candidate for CRT-P.  I understand that the meds are primarily preventative in my case but that they are still important.  I've been told that I will need to continue them even after CRT-P placement on May 1.  My issues are the side effects are really interferring with my personal quality of life - such as: weight gain, strugglin...

Read More...

Anyone else with total heart block?

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone else on here has a pacemaker because of total heart block? Wondering is there a connection between that and random nerve pains I get. Could be down to my open heart surgery also but ever since I've had it I get terrible nerve pains in my arms feet basically everywhere. It's not all the time but I tend to suffer them for a period then it calms down again then few months later bang it's back! So painful feels like I'm being prodded with hot poker...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Trade secrets can be smuggled inside your device.

Member Quotes

It's much better to live with a pacemaker than to risk your life without one.