59YO CHB Dual Lead Pacemaker

New member, never thought I'd have a pacemaker at 59! I'm active duty military, good physical condition, former college football athlete, no other serious health issues in my life.

It started about a year ago when I noticed I was getting a little light-headed when I would stand at attention. Didn't think too much about it, just dealt with it. About 3 months ago I was working in the yard all day, nothing out of the ordinary for me. It was warm but not oppressive heat and I was slightly dehydrated, again, nothing out of my norm. Later in the afternoon, I passed out 3 times within a 45 minute period and experienced my first trip in an ambulance to the ER. EKG was not critical but showed a Right Bundle Branch block. Overnighted in the hospital and was released with a most likely cause of dehydration but a holter monitor was issued and worn for 13 days. It showed one instance of non-sustained V-Tach for 11 beats while I was asleep.

Follow up with Cardiologist decided to do a heart cath to verify no blockages, which was clean. Additionally, a cardiac MRI was ordered which again turned up clean. During the heart cath, a monitor was implanted.

Over the next couple of months I continued to experience occasional dizziness/lightheadedness at work, not debilitating except for one time when I asked my wife to come pick me up. I felt better an hour later and didn't seek medical care.

About 2 weeks ago, I worked in the yard a bit, but was completely hydrated, as a precaution from the previous episode. Felt pretty good and took the dog for a walk late in the afternoon. The dog was a bit frisky and wanted to run a little, so I obliged and trotted a little in my flip-flops. Two houses later, I got the serious light headedness and eased myself to the ground where I woke to neighbors checking on me. I came to quickly and didn't seek medical attention, thinking it was another heat/dehydration issue and I felt pretty normal when I woke up.

4 days later, after work (desk job) and no yard work/heat.exertion, I passed out sitting on the couch, in an air conditioned house. This time, when I came to, my wife retrieved my BP cuff and while my BP was normal my pulse was 40. I felt terrible. We had discussions of what to do, drive to ER, etc. I asked her to call EMS as I hadn't felt this bad before. When they arrived and hooked me up, it was clear that I was undergoing a cardiac emergency. They put the pads on me just in case and transported me ASAP.

I had CHB and had a dual lead pacemaker installed the next afternoon. That was 6 days ago. I've been good since and returned to work yesterday. I felt a little funny this morning and was concerned but the remote monitoring indicated it was not my heart. Since implant, my device is pacing my ventricle at 1.3%.

I'm nervous but I have hope that the device will enable me to live a long life, preventing the occasional CHB from destroying my life.

 

7 Comments

Hi

by Lavender - 2024-06-11 22:34:14

I hope you were spared the damage from the storm last night in your city. 
 

I have been through a period of fainting which culminated in getting a three lead CRT-P pacemaker three years ago. That takes care of heart block. You're fixed and young enough to have a wonderful life. 
 

Thank you for your service...not sure if you're active or retired since your bio says retired😉

Welcome to the club

by piglet22 - 2024-06-12 07:32:04

Your story fits the CHB pathway.

The dizziness, low heart rate all fit.

Age and general fitness really don't make a lot of difference, but being fit to start with could mean you could have noticed the symptoms earlier.

It's very common and many people have benign rhythm problems.

The electrical system of the heart is well understood and modern pacemakers will fix most problems and allow for a lot of tweaking if need be.

All you really have to get used to is that you have a new bit of kit that's going to look after you for years to come.

Within reason, you will be able to carry on with normal activities and it will be less of what you can't do, and more of what you can do.

13% pacing is still quite low, but can progress higher over time. My own pacing is 100% in both chambers, and ignoring some other problems, you will probably not notice anything different.

For what it's worth, I got my PM about the same age as you and hopefully will be getting number three in a few months time.

Fit and fitted

by Selwyn - 2024-06-12 10:26:48

Your pacemaker  (PM)  is fitted to stop symptoms and cardiac standstill.  Your quality of life will improve. Your life expectancy is unaffected by having a PM.

It is a shock to go from being fit to being fitted.  There is no reason why you cannot play golf or travel. Personally, I swim, and play table tennis. Just make sure that the electrophysiology techs dealing with you understand the demands you want to put on your body by exercise. I fly to Canada tomorrow. I have been up to 5000m with my pacemaker without problems.

If you were fit beforehand, maintain your fitness. I was riding my bicycle ( at speed) with 3-4 days of having my pacemaker ( as I couldn't swim due to the wound). Congratulations on getting back to work so quickly.

Having a PM is an insurance for your well being- it is best not to forget how lucky you are to have a diagnosis and treatment that will completely cure you. You are only as fit as the your doctor's consulting room threshold - make the most of the gift that you have. 

Welcome to the club you never really wanted to join.

 

 

Heart Block

by Theknotguy - 2024-06-12 20:04:40

Having a heart block can be a surprise. I was on a hiking trail when I found out I had a complete heart block. A five day coma and fifteen days in the hospital were a big surprise too. Woke up with the pacemaker implanted. Surprise!

One thing to remember is that if what happened to you happened in the 1970's, 1980's, and even the 1990's, you might not have survived.

The next thing is to start learning how to live with the pacemaker. There isn't that big of an adjustment but sometimes there are surprises. I found out there isn't anything in a typical US household that will affect the pacemaker. But you should be aware of industrial and high strength magnets. You don't have to worry about cell phones, store security devices, microwave ovens, cell phone towers, tv towers and the like.  

Surprisingly the biggest problem I've had is with reciprocating saws. The vibration jumps up my pacemaker speed. I've also had vibration from diesel engines, large trucks, and bumpy roads kick up my pacemaker speed.

If you are active and start running into problems where you feel like you run out of air, check with your EP and have them work on your rate control. Being younger and more active means that you may over run the pacemaker standard settings.

Other than the above I lead a fairly "normal" life. I hope you get along well. Hang in there. Life is good.
 

Welcome to the club

by BradyJohn - 2024-06-13 00:22:00

I was fitted over 4 years ago.   Best decision ever.  Fainting is not good and it's scary for the people around us when it happens.   The adjustments re rate control may take some time,  my best fine tuning came last fall. 

All the best,  there's never been a better time in human history to receive a pacemaker 😉

John

Surprised at 61 years of age

by RickBT - 2024-06-14 17:25:57

I'm 61 and used to lift weights three times a week and do an hour on the treadmill on a regular basis. With no warning, I'm unconcious on the kitchen floor with a heart beat of 30. You can read my full story in my bio.

Good news, everyone on here survivied. We each have different experiences and recovery. I had some complications which has been pretty rough over the first few months. I'm finally feeling well enough to now get active again and am doing it very slowly.

Take your time, listen to your body, talk to your cardiologist as they don't know what's not working right until you tell them and be patient. Looking forward to a long life ahead.

Cheers, Rick

Thanks everyone!

by NukeLDO - 2024-06-26 21:59:15

Thanks for the encouragement and information, I'm slowly coming to grips with the awesome gift I've been given. I've read your stories and am amazed and don't feel my situation is as abnormal as I did before, thank you!

Thanks Lavender, I fixed my bio. I am still Active Duty ... retire next year after 36.5 years.

I haven't pushed myself physically yet but I've been feeling pretty good, just the occasional flutter when my HR drops into the low 60's and I feel it. I usually move around a bit and it responds and kicks it back up. Maybe something with the rate control? I need to learn a little more about the programming options so I can discuss with my EP when I see him in September.

Thanks again for all of the encouragement and information!

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