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most recent update and new medication for HF

Hello co pacers

So I had my 6 months check (after having had a severe cardiomyopathy dilated left ventricule diagnosed in November 2020, and became the CRT-D recepient in Feb 2021)

I was very pleased with my last check in June, and was rather optimistic about the outcome of this one. But after the echography, they told me my ejection fraction was "stable" at 40%. Bummer... I was hoping for a 55, or maybe even 60% after 6 months. The doctor said I should not take into acc...

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Device issues/ mental health

I'm really struggling with phantom shocks syndrome. Is anybody else suffering from this? How come there's not more education regarding this subject?

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movement

What has been your doc's advice about moving your shoulder itself in the early days after implantation? Can you shrug, eg?

 

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ATRIAL FIB

Hi there ! I ama 67 year old who has had a pacemaker for 7nyears. My PC check shows that I am in afib 97% of the time . This has increased faience last February . My new cardiologist took me off Propafenone then >.I am only taking a beta blocker and a anti coagulant. I am toltally a symptomatic.  I am seeing my cardiologist tomorrow. He is reluctant to start Amiodarone because I am symptom is. Any thoughts ? 
 

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Heart rate is not maxing out during exercise.

I had my second PM installed in March 2021.  

No issues until October 1st when my Apple Watch reported an average of 138 bpm.  That rate has declined since then and now when I run, my HR per my Apple Watch is averaging 132 +/- while my PM is set for a max HR of 150.

I went in and had the device checked and the tech said all was good.  He increased the response rate but I do not see how that would help.

I've run twice since then and my Apple Watch repo...

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Micra Leadless Pacemaker

Hello, I am new to this site. I am 26 and have to get a pacemaker for intermittent complete heart block, pauses, and near syncope. My doctor wants to place a Micra next week, but I called my insurance and they will not pay for the Micra because it's "investigational". Are there any other "young" runners here who also have a pacemaker? Have you had any problems with the leads? Thanks!

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PM/ICD voltages

I have a question I hope someone can answer. I know the voltages my pacemaker delivers when it is pacing. I know the voltages my ICD would deliver if I needed a shock. But what is the constant voltage being delivered during the 24/7 monitoring by our devices? This question came up last night at a gathering of device recipients at our hospital.

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Staph infection, 11 days in the hospital ….

And my pacemaker was saved! It's been a crazy couple of months. I had my CRT-P implanted on August 31. A few weeks later I developed a staph infection. It was not in my blood and as of today it is staying in my body! Very happy that everything worked out. I never had a fever or chills or any signs that the infection went into my body but the incision site was pretty scary. Everything is healing up good and I am so grateful! I wanted to share in case anybody else is going through comp...

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Pain

Hello everyone.

I had my pacemaker fitted 8 weeks ago. All is fine except I am still suffering from pain in the shoulder and around the area of the pacemaker. It is worae6at night when in bed. Is this normal.? I would have thought the pain would have gone by now. All bruising has disappeared but the pain remains. Any help would be good. Thanks. Myles.

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BP measurement

Sharing my experience this morning - went for an echo - as far as I could tell it all seemed same as last time - then as soon as done, echo tech said, now I'm going to take your BP.  Tech instructed me to rise from my prone position and sit on the side of the exam bench with my feet dangling, arm resting on bench beside me. It went downhill from there - there were implications - no, make that statements - that I wasn't going to be able to go home given my high BP readin...

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Surgery to move existing pacemaker deeper in chest

Hi everyone,

I'm 91 years old, I'm new to this group and had my 4th pacer placed (Medtronic) almost 2 years ago using the existing leads(not metronic) which are almost 35 years old. It's a dual chamber pacer. Two weeks ago I visited a vein doctor to discuss my leg swelling. He gave me some advice which was helpful and he also took a look at my pacer. He is a well known cardiac thoracic surgeon at a hospital that specializes in heart conditions and heart surgery. He's not...

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Confused

I am 39 yr old and had a sudden onset of heart ache since July. This followed with loss of sleep and bunch of other symptoms.

After 4 days of no sleep and feeling weak I went to ER where they diagnosed me with sinus bradycardia. I did 24 hour holter followed by a 1 week heart monitor. My resting heart rate is 49 bpm and when sleeping goes to 37. I am no athlete, regular body frame, weight of 162 lbs.

Its been 3 months and my symptoms haven't gone anywhere. additionally I feel...

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My saga continues

First, I should say that I continue to feel very well. I still walk almost every day, I'm able to do some minor home improvements, and I rest when I need to. Doctor has said a-fib is only evident a tiny percentage of the time.

Somehow I still think some tweaking couldn't hurt, and this time I've set my sights on meds. Funny how, when we are feeling well, we think, Do I really need medication? The fact is, taking Tikosyn (dofetilide) is just a major inconvenience. I have to m...

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Twin pacemakers!

Hi everyone,

My replacement PM has gone well. Nearly 3 weeks now. However today my husband was diagnosed with complete heart block. They are putting in a pacemaker in the morning. He always seemed to fit and well. Just had shortness of breath for a couple of weeks and more tired than usual. 
It looks like we are going to be a two pacemaker house! 
Prefer it to be me rather than him. Worried much.

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Strange happenings shortly after going to bed

I am wondering if anyone has had anything like this.  I did ask my cardiologist several years ago and he had no answer.

I'm 80 and function very well with a low ejection fraction following a massive MI six years ago.  (No pacemaker or ICD)

This thing I am about to explain happens only occasionally as it did even before my heart attack.

Generally this happens very shortly after I have gone to sleep and I am awakened (enough to be aware) of something happeni...

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Ironman / Thank You

Just wanted to say "thank you" to the folks on this forum. Especially you, Tracey_E! Many of you answered questions (read: fears) of mine and gave me a lot of hope during my initial hospitalizations and diagnosis of CHB early last year. Thank you for being so kind. Between my pacemaker placement last year (2020) and my Achilles rupture almost exactly a year prior, I wondered if my best days were already behind me at only 31 years of age. Well...I completed an Ironman triathlon this...

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Beeping icd

I have a Boston scientific and the Ep guy said it looks like 3 months left. Today and last night it's beeping I just had the second set of beeps I heard. 12 hours apart. Anybody had this happened. I called the Dr waiting for a call back 

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Safety of MRI procedure

Hello everyone,

https://www.medtronic.com/content/dam/medtronic-com/01_crhf/surescan/uc201607767en-patient-scanning-process.pdf?bypassIM=true

I would be grateful for some reassurance now that it is my turn to have an MRI.  I see Shana has posted below on Mixed leads - contraindication for MRI, so I didn’t want to hijack her thread by posting my own concerns there.  

Although I have been told by my EP and clinic that I have an MRI Compatible device/leads...

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Mixed Leads - Contraindication for MRI

In discussions with the manufacturer of my 'MRI friendly' pacemaker, I learned that I have leads from two different manufacturers. As a result, my system (pm and leads) is now contraindicated for an MRI. 

Anyone else have leads from two different manufacturers and no longer have access to MRI as a diagnostic tool?

Just curious,

Shana
 

 

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COVID 19 vaccine

Hello! I have a question, I am very concerned about the vaccine and I didn't take it yet, in 10 days I have my pacemaker implant and I am very scared of how it would react with the pacemaker. Has anybody taken the vaccine? 
please let me know!!

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You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.