Most Recent Messages in Conditions, Meds & Tests

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I am lost, please help

Hello, i have Afib, PVC, Mobitz 2, type 1 (Wenkerbach). I am exhausted all the time, can have one day good aerobic excercise, next day, i am bedridden. Cardiologist ran an array of tests, 4 ECGs. Heart rate during excercise 150, at night 30 to 50, never above! Cardiologist doesn't see any problem with that, his conclusion: "Mobitz 2:1 and low heart rate at night is normal for trained healthy individual". Had cardioversion - 3 Months in NSR, didn't feel any better. Here goes...

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Additional diagnosis?

Hi everyone, 

My original diagnosis before implantation was tachy brady syndrome.

Just saw my cardiologist on Aug 18 for my first follow up visit since my implanation on July 18.

Now the doctor mentioned 2:1 heart block and SVT. I'm starting bisoprolol 5 mg per day. He changed my blood pressure med to Hyzaar. 

Is this an additional problem? Or just a more specific clarification of what condition I have?

Found out that I am only paced for less than 1...

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Ejection Fraction

My question is whether or not a low EF% always suggests heart failure?

I ask because many members with SSS and / or AVB post on here to say that their low EF% improved with pacing to a normal %EF. I note that many do not mention a prior heart failure diagnosis. 

Can SSS and/or AVB alone cause a low EF % or does a low EF% always suggest that there is a heart failure component? 

 

 

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Reflux

Hi  Similar to previous post. Being a 'newby' have a lot to learn.

Reflux (GERD) seems to be worse since implantation. Could the problem be related to the new pacemaker settings and is there a fix ?  First pacemaker check due 30th Aug.

Many thanks   Neil

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Blood pressure

Hi , I'm new to the Pacemaker club . First implant (Dual chamber) pacemaker 26th July 2023.As always there are many questions which I hope with the knowledge you guys have can shed some light on the various topics. 

Since implantation seems I have changes in BP (increase) not the normal steady state. Discussed with GP and decided to increase my Losartan which has reduced the BP considerable. Bloods and review in 2 weeks. Your thought would be very welcome ?

Neil

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First Post

Hello,  This is my first post. 

First pacemaker fitted in 2012

I had atrial fibrillation and 3 failed ablations, so pacemaker was fitted.  I had a total hip replacement due and was in Agony but the surgeon wouldn't go ahead until I had an AV node ablation.  This made me pacemaker dependent.  This pacemaker was only replaced in 2023.  (11years 7months)  I experienced lethargy for months before it was  replaced.  Since my new box in N...

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Complete heart block - questions to ask

Hi

I am extremely grateful to have found the club in the midst of what seems like the darkest time of my life (I'm not an official member... yet). I'm a young, healthy (?) 33 yo, with two young kids, just diagnosed with an incidental finding of a complete heart block that looks to be congenital. Have had a low resting heart rate (mid to high 40s, dropping to 37 at sleep) for the last 10 years (Apple Watch tells me it goes up to 160+ with exercise), some fatigue (effectively...

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angiogram

hi guys

thanks for your input on my last posting.  question now is they used the right wrist and then they went near the elbow and said they couldn't find or get what they wanted near elbow bend area so they went to the groin as backup and i remember them saying they went there to check pressure.

they also said NO  STENTS .   get rest then back to regular full time work after a week with NO RESTRICTION.

what are the thoughts on what might be next.

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Multifocal PVCs

Hi everyone 

I am new to the club. I have an ICD as a result of one episode of VT and due to third degree heart block.

Over the past few years I have developed multifocal PVCs and I am very symptomatic. Tried all drug therapies to no avail. I have had two unsuccessful ablations which have targeted one spot and the EP has said there are at least four other spots which haven't been attempted.

Does anyone have any experience of treating multifocal PVCs please? My readi...

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Multaq

Has anyone cut their Multaq 400 mg in half and did the meds keep your afib away?

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Pacemaker with Freestyle Libre 2 sensor compatible? also, Pet Scan with pacemaker

I use a continuous bloodsugar monitor on my arm.  Just got a pacemaker.  Will they work together.

 

Also  I have stage 4 cancer, and have a PET scan every 3 months.  Is that I a problem with Pacemaker?

 

Thanks!

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PET Scan

Hi all, I had my 3 months (4 months) checkup with my cardiologist, and she says she super happy with everything - she also mentioned that I"m using the device less than 5% ("Which is great - it means your battery will last longer!!!") ... and that I won't see her again for a year or 18 months, and I'll have an ultrasound in March 2024 to check everything is still in place. 
And then she asked if I'd heard from the hospital re: My PET Scan, and I had to say...

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Medical Event that Led to Hospital Emergency Room

Hello,

We are from Israel. My elderly mom had AICD Endurity DR PM2162 pacemaker installed 7 years ago. She's been on checkups twice a year until recent two years when they made it annual checkup. Her doctor recommended her pacemaker after an event when she started feeling unwell and fainted. She believes that hospital's intern did the implantation under the surgeon's supervision. On the night after the implantation her condition became bad which prompted the near p...

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Intermittent AV block, what actually is it?

I have an intermittent AV block known since my early twenties with no specific identified cause. Ultrasounds and MRI have shown no structural abormalities. My extended family also has an abundance of pacemakers and one person requiring an ablation so it seems likely this is a genetic predisposition.

I've now had a pacemaker for a bit over 2 weeks and have been able to feel it kick in as discussed elsewhere. This means that I get real time feedback on when this occurs and a...

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Metamucil and prescription drugs.

Do you wash your drugs down with Metamucil at the same time every day?

I used to, but was talking to my brother in law at his time share couple of weeks ago  

He said i should not to do that, but delay one or the other by 2 hours.  Did a quick check, and he was right. So I switched and now I noticed that my BP is now a bit lower and steadier also the blood thinner I take is working better. Now I just look at my skin and just sprout a new bruise.  

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Spiroolactone

Is anyone on the med spironolatone? My doctor wanted me to take it but I had bad side effects! What is it for?  Did it help you? 

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Ejection fraction

In April, an echocardiogram said my ejection fraction was 30-35%. The doctors prescribed valsartan 160mg twice a day, amlodepine 5 mg twice a day, Coreg 12.5 twice a day and rosuvastatin 5mg before bedtime.   Spirinolactone was also prescribed but I could not take it because of bad reactions to it.  The doctors also extracted my old pacemaker and gave me an ICD with defibrillator with 3 leads.  Now both ventricles are in synch.   Yesterday I had another echo...

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Things go wrong

After 18-years of trouble-free pacemaker support, things started to go wrong in January 2023.

First came the erratic pulse rate from 60 to 70bpm as set (raised to 70bpm from 60) down to episodes of half that.

Accompanied by lightheadedness and dizziness. A rerun of the pre-PM symptoms of Complete Heart Block, Mobitz.

Then came the first blackout.

The consultant had diagnosed, remotely, ectopy and took me off Atenolol 50-mg daily to 1.25-mg Bisoprolol.

Nothing muc...

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blood pressure meds Valsarten

Has anyone had or taking the medicine Valsarten 80 mg. (to reduce blood pressure)

I have been told that I will need this.

 

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SVT

Hi,

Hope everyone here is doing well.  I wanted to share an update on my SSS. I just had another two week Zio patch that showed no worsening of my Sick Sinus Syndrome in two years. A few more pauses, but longest one 3.5 in the middle of the night. No symptoms, and I feel great. Resting heart rate is 56 and continues to respond to exercise. One question I have is the report noted 42 episodes of SVT. The doctor did not say anything about them. They are short and don't b...

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Your electric tooth brush interferes with your device.

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