Going through it

Hi Chris👋🏼

by Lavender - 2024-07-13 20:39:30

Chris, you have acid reflux. If you haven't already, see a doc for advise on the belly issues. (Totally unrelated to your pacemaker situation.) Sometimes we get hyper focused on our bodies after the scare of needing a device for our hearts. We get vigilant expecting more to go bad. 
 

I have heart block. My AV node is done. I also had left bundle branch block for years before the AV node went. I am totally dependent on my almost 3 and a half year old device. It's a CRT-P. 

Chris, your Apple Watch may not be tracking your heart accurately. Best is the manual self pulse check. Count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by four. Your heart is still healing from the surgery and getting used to its new battery powered way. 

You will be around a long time. You have a lot of life to live. People much older and much younger have pacemakers and we keep on keepin on!

Please add your device info to your bio writeup. You will learn to trust your device more in time. 🙂trust me😉

Chris

by piglet22 - 2024-07-14 07:28:56

You certainly aren't too young to get your pacemaker.

I wasn't far off your age when I knew something wasn't right with my rhythm.

It happens and that's it. You get a device to put things right and move on with life.

The great thing about pacemakers is that once the hardware is sorted, the software is very adaptable to your changing needs. I can see that in a few years as computing power increases and some autonomy gets built in through Artificial Intelligence, your device could be even more responsive.

I agree with Lavender, and don't jump to any conclusions that something might be wrong from a watch reading. See it as an indicator and always use another method to check. BP monitors are good for that, an oximeter for a quick check, or good old fingers and watch.

It's quite normal to see your heart rate "bottom out" and I would be more worried if it didn't.

When relaxed, you should be seeing periods when the pacemaker ticks over at its base rate (IPG base rate if you have a pacemaker card). It's just the device doing its job.

As far as the future goes, you are going to be a lot better off now than struggling with whatever symptoms you had before.

Pacemakers aren't perfect and there might well be - there are - times when a pacemaker fails or can't deal with complications like ectopic beats. I've seen plenty of occasions when my useful heart rate drops below the minimum set.

It's uncomfortable, but that's all. Even with a ragged rhythm, you can keep going.

Look at it another way. Where would you be if pacemakers weren't available? Centuries ago, you would be confined to bed.

Good luck

Life expectancy

by Selwyn - 2024-07-14 14:44:35

Having a pacemaker has no effect on your life expectancy. ( https://www.epainassist.com/chest-pain/heart/life-expectancy-of-a-person-with-a-pacemaker).

I was 55 years old when I received my pacemaker (The gift of Life).

I have read numerous reports concerning the inaccuracy of such wrist devices as Apple Watches for the monitoring of heart rate on this site and others. Just check your own  pulse! ( and it won't cost!!)

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/checking-your-pulse

We are all here by the grace of God- best to make the most of it.

Medical treatment for reflux is available. Sometimes just raising the head of the bed and loosing weight if you are over weight is a cure. 

Thanks

by ChrisB888 - 2024-07-14 19:09:45

Thank you everyone who has responded to me, I truly appreciate it. Kind of felt alone out here, doctors put the PM in and we're just like- see you in a few months! Very nonchalant. You all have helped put my mind at ease, thank you from the bottom of my heart ☺️

Chris

by Suzzy123 - 2024-07-14 22:40:41

Doctors may know a lot about pacemakers and the heart. Unless they have a pacemaker they will not know what they feel like (they can only imagine, and know some answers due to research). When I first got my pacemaker back in 2000 i was quite apprehensive and unsure of the unknown but over time, 24 years later i have been able to continue on with life. You will get to know your limitations, and just adjust. 

Suzzy

by ChrisB888 - 2024-07-14 22:51:32

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond 😊