My 82 year old Dad - what to expect / complication

Hello, I'm new here. My 82 year old dad has a long history of heart issues. Had bypass surgery 27 years ago, and a quad bypass almost 2 years ago. He's been complaining of tiredness and short breath for the last few years. After a recent hospitalization and performing lots of tests, it was decided to do the pacemaker (dual chamber). He's being released today, but has to go back in a week to make sure "it's in place" and if not, it will have to be redone. It's not even 48 hours since the procedure, but he is still experienceing the shortness of breath and fast hear rate. I'm hoping someone can help tell me what to expect and if it takes a while to regulate everything -- and if there's hope for him to ever feel better. I hear it's rare to have complications and for the procedure to have to be redone. More frustrating is, he's on the east coast and I'm on the west coast...so I'm not there. This info is being passed along from my mom. Thank you so much.

6 Comments

Thank you

by jadell - 2010-04-21 01:04:42

Thank you Smitty for your post and for taking the time. This helps a lot. I will stay in touch with updates and more questions, I'm sure. Also Carolyn, thank you for your post as well. This means a lot to me and I really appreciate your well wishes. :-)

Welcome to the club

by qwerty - 2010-04-21 09:04:38

This is a great place to come with questions. These folks have been through everything.

Hope your Dad gets to feeling better. Keep us posted.

Cherell

Jadell

by LS - 2010-04-21 10:04:44

Wishing your dad a full & speedy recovery!
Liz

Welcome ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-04-21 12:04:23

This PM Club site is the best place you can find for any and all answers to any questions or just to talk. This is a good place to answer any of your questions and for your Dad and Mom just to learn more.

There are so many educated, well experienced people who can help you on the site. "Smitty", for one, is an excellent source of knowledge. Smitty was one of the first of many who commented to my posts of fear, scared, non ending questions and other "posts".

Let us hear from you soon about your Dad.

Prayers are with you and your Families,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Have You Hugged Someone ~

For Your DAd

by SMITTY - 2010-04-21 12:04:27


Hello Jadell,

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

Your dad and I have some similarities so I'll offer what I can. I have a dual chamber pacemaker, my second one. The first was implanted in 2000 when I was 71 years old. I had quadruple by pass surgery in 1982. I have not had additional bypass surgery, but I have experienced the SOB and tiredness on more than one occasion. As a result I have had four stents implanted in the last 10 years, the last one three years ago. So far they have kept some partially blocked arteries open.

You are correct about it being rare to have complications from a pacemaker implant, but it does happen. I have not heard of anyone having to have it redone because the PM was not in place. So that part I would not be concerned about, as I think it would be extremely rare. As for it taking a while to get everything regulated, yes that sometimes happens, but not often. But try as the doctors may, they do not always get the best setting for a patient on the first try. However, having the settings changed is so simple it is almost boring. It takes a trip to the Dr and usually less than 30 minutes. The procedure is very similar to getting an EKG. Some times more than one trip to the Dr for adjustments in the settings is necessary, but the settings can be made right.

The fast heart rate is not likely to be corrected by the pacemaker. A pacemaker can speed up a slow heart rate, but not slow down a fast one. As for the pacemaker correcting his SOB, that will be a wait and see. If his SOB and tiredness was because he had a slow (one that is less than 60) then the pacemaker may help as soon as they get the settings right for him. Otherwise, I don't know.

If I can offer a suggestion, it would be to tell your Mom and Dad not to expect too much too quick. Like I said it sometimes takes a few weeks or even months. As for the pain and soreness from the surgery that may take anywhere from a week or so, to several weeks. We are all different and there is no set time on that. Also, tell him to do as the doctor tells him when it comes to physical activity, especially arm movement on the side of the pacemaker implant. Too much arm use, too soon can disturb the new leads as they need a few weeks to get settled in, but this is one for the doctor to give instructions on.

You have come to a good place to learn about pacemakers from the people that have them and believe me experience is truly the best teacher when it comes to pacemakers. I'll be glad, as will many others here, to try to answer specific questions you may have.

I wish your Dad the best.

Smitty

Shortness of breath

by musser75 - 2010-04-22 02:04:07

I would comment to interrogate the pacemaker if all leads are in place. Fast heart rate after pacemaker implantation can mean that the pacemaker needs some adjustments. If your father still experinceses shortness of breath after two of three weeks, an "AV" interval optimization should be done under echocardiography to optimize the beating sequence between the atria ( small chambers ) and the ventricles ( large chambers ).
musser75

You know you're wired when...

You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.

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My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.