Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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LVAD and Transplant criteria-EF fraction?

Hey all,

I know there aren't specific LVEF benchmarks for LVAD and transplant list because each case is evaluated on a number of criteria, but I am curious if anyone on here has been put on the list or received an LVAD and what their LVEF was at the time?  If you want to include the other conditions that were included for the decision that would be helpful as well.  Anything specific to dialated cardiomyopathy, complete heart block, and severity of RV systolic function, ar...

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Weaned and off Meds

Per last doctor's visit, after complaining about abdominal distress over the past year from probable Metoprolol, the doctor had me weaned off the medication. For the year I was on 12.5 mg of the medication daily along with aspirin (81mg). For one week the doctor had me take the half tab once every other day and then stop for a 3 week period. I had my last administration metoprolol on a Wednesday evening. That Friday and Saturday I had some chest discomfort primarily in the form of pressur...

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Migraine - Verapamil?

Does anyone else get migraines/headache as a side effect of verapamil (Isoptin) my headaches seem to be more severe since going back on Isoptin, i flagged this with my Cardiologist and Neurologist but both were rather dismissive. Cardiologist changed my meds by reducing my amiodarone and adding back in Verapamil in March last year and since then i have had almost daily migraine. I have been on Botox for migraine since 2015 but this has now no effect. Whilst my heart numbes seem good at t...

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Prominent heart beats

Hi.  Does anyone take medication to quiten down a prominent heartbeat. I got my 4th pacemaker implant last october and felt not too bad until a few weeks ago. Now I'm having periods of my heart thumping hard and not sure if device is capable of doing this or it's a heart issue.  Hospital technician reduced the sensitivity and reaction but it's still happening.  GP is carrying out a 24hr BP monitor as my diastolic pressure was going quite high. I didn't know if h...

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What to do while waiting

I have my surgery scheduled 3 days out. My problem is my BPM numbers drop into the mid/upper 30's every time I sit for a few minutes. If I lay down or stand up and walk it is fine, but if I sit it soon drops. Any ideas on how to not pass out over the next 3 days?

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covid-19 vaccine

Today i  had my  first shot of the Moderna vaccine.  Mentioned i had a Pacemaker, she said was i sure it was not a Defibrillator.  Did not ask her why.  Get the second one Feb23,2021 or after, hope that is easy to get and not much pain.

   Now just some soreness around the armpit.  Glad i got it in the left one.  Was at the heatlh dept.  Glad not the one where you sat in your car inching your way to the front of the line. Would have...

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stress test

anyone know details about getting a nuclear stress test with the pacemaker? 

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NSVT and Exercise

Hi everyone I hope you are all well,


Just looking for some reassurance really, today I went to the hospital for my pre-op admission tests ready for my procedure next week. During the treadmill test in October I had a 7 beat run of non-sustained Ventricular Tachycardia. My surgeon/doctor has said this is not a big issue and something they will monitor. He said he is not worried by it but I have had a few short runs of NSVT on my pacemaker interrogations, lasting between 3...

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Risk factors

We've had several posts questioning if having a pacemaker constitutes a risk factor for Covid19.

Since I am in the age group to be vaccinated now, last night I made a vaccination appointment through our local health department. After the ususual data collecting questions about age, DOB, and address, the form listed risk factors and asked me to check off all the conditions I had.

What intersted me most about the list** was what wasn't there

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SVTs

Hello all, what is everyone's experience of SVTs and how a Boston Scientific responds to same?

thank you

Lisa

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COVID Vaccine

Hi! I haven't posted too much in this forum but have totally appreciated the support provided. So glad to be part of this group!

I have a chance to get the Moderna COVID vaccine - has anyone in this group got the vaccine? Any thoughts/feedback? I have reached out to my cardiologist but haven't heard back. Look forward to hearing from some of you on this.

Thanks,

Champak

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Skipped and ectopic beats

Hi. Had my dual chamber PM for just over a year and had no problems. But the last 3 days I've been having loads of skipped beats. The pause seems to last for ages. Also quite a few eptopic beats as well. Palpitations are quite strong just to add to the fun. Just wondered if anyone else has suffered from the same. Mine was fitted for AF and flutter. Will add my BP was a little high as well. I know the PM tends to let the heart do its thing then kick in when it feels the need but...

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SOB ..Entresto or diuretic Treatment? Which doc to follow?

My cardio prescribed Entresto to deal with SOB.  Standard Procedure he says.

I ordered Entresto.  Before taking it I had an annual exam by family doc who discovered fluid in the lungs and elsewhere..  Prescribed diuretic and balanced my blood.    I lost lots of weight, feel good and able to walk hills with frequent stops.   EF = 35. Reduced diuretic.  Visit family doc next week. 

Now what?  Start Entresto ( replacing lisinopri...

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Ejection Fraction

I am 53 years old and 5 years ago I had a Medtronic  two lead pacemaker installed for complete  heart  block that came out of nowhere. I am paced 100% of the time.The only meds I take is 100mg of Cozaar for blood pressure. My doctor  does an echo on me about every year or so. My last echo two years ago my EF was 50-55% which is where it normally is. This past May my EF was 45-50%. My doctor suggested that I get a third lead added to help keep my EF from continuin...

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Lisinopril or Spironolactone

Saw my cardiologist today. Getting another echo done in Jan 2021 to check to see if my EF improved after my Jan 28, 2020 CRTD implant. (Echo done in June 2020 showed no improvement - EF was 35%). 

He did give me the heads up that if there is no improvement in EF he will discuss the addition of another medication to improve my EF with my electrophysiologist (they both work out of the same office. The 2 possible medications that would be prescribed would be either lisinopril or spiro...

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Calcium channel blockers

Can you use calcium channel blocker with pacemaker

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Atrial Fibrillation, safety of Catheter Ablation with a Pacemaker?

Hello Pacemaker friends,

Another contributor asked me recently whether it was safe to have a catheter ablation with a pacemaker?   I couldn't really give her a sensible answer because this is something I have been asking myself too.  I haven't yet done any research on this, but I would have assumed that the pacemaker device and leads might somehow get in the way during an ablation or at least make the procedure more prone to risk.

May I ask wh...

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Bandage removal

I just got a pacemaker replacemnt today. Everything went great.

My concern is having bandage taken off next week. My first pacemaker bandage, was quite painful ,when   removed.

Any suggestion's of what I can do ahead of time?

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Pacemakers

After a series of falls due to losing consciousness and many investigations by every hospital department the medical team said they had no idea what was the cause.  ECG tests had shown nothing irregular. I was progressing well with mild cardiomyopathy. So I had an internal Holter implant and within two weeks the problem was detected: sick synod syndrome. So I had a pacemaker and all is well.

My question is: does the Medtrr egg inicio monitor I was issued with when the Holter was im...

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Frozen shoulder

11 days after PM implanted i had to go to EP because unbearable pain in shoulder.  Could not move it or use it.  He told me I was babying it too much so he preceded to take my arm and raise it up over my head, violently,  3 times and waved it around.  Needless to say I was overcome with pain and shock.  It evidentually got better but I changed Doctors!  Has anyone else had this problem?

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