Late 2013: Diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

November 2013 I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This didn't look good, as my heart was severely weakened . I had severe shortness of breath, and congestive heart failure. My heart's EF was only 15% at the time. An angiogram showed no obstructions. The left  ventricle was dilated and the mitral valve was re-regurgitating. I spent 3 days in the hospital under observation. Given Lisinopril and Carvedilol even though my blood pressure was normal.

Moving forward to March 2014 my heart's EF improved only slightly to 20%. My Cardio Doc wanted me to see a surgeon as the mitral valve was still re-regurgitating and they feared sudden death cardiac arrest so open heart may be in order to repair or replace the valve. Instead the surgeon wanted to use a pacemaker (CRT-D) as left bundle branch block was detected. A Metronics unit was selected and implanted. 

I was at the time and still do exercise  on a treadmill and or going on long bike rides (14+ miles) using our local paved trails.

Fast forward to Spring 2024, a high/low pacer alarm would sound each morning lasting a few seconds. It appeared to be low battery I called my Cardio Doc's office and made an appointment. A fresh echocardiogram was ordered and showed my heart at a normal EF of 55%. The mitral valve was normal. They also gave me a nuclear stress test which also showed no adverse issues.

Summary: The pacemaker was turned off due to low battery. I have a choice to see another specialist and discuss if I even need a replacement. My heart has been doing just fine un-paced. I do still have the left bundle branch block but I understand that many can live fine with it.

Im now 67 going on 68. I do excercise regularly and am now retired subtanually reducing stress. I'm still on the same meds.

I did ask the Rep about are there any battery leakage issues with a left in implanted pacemaker? They said no.

Life is good and I'm happy and it looks like I'm healthy....

 

3 Comments

My experience

by sgmfish - 2024-07-29 18:50:17

FWIW, I had my mitral valve repaired 25 years ago. Avoid it if you can. In my case, it was totally successful and saved my life, but what I didn't understand then was that surgery INSIDE the heart (unlike bypasses and such that don't cut into the heart itself) leaves interior scar tissue which can cause arrhythmia problems in old age. Sure enough at about 77 I started to get worsening rhythm problems. Beyond that, the recovery was quite severe. Bed ridden for a couple of weeks, and very short bouts of exercise for weeks afterwards.

sgmfish

by piglet22 - 2024-07-29 19:06:35

It's stories like yours that makes heart block look like small beer.

Wonderful story!

by Lavender - 2024-07-29 22:14:25

What a blessing to get through all you've endured with such successful results! I had left bundle branch block for about 11 years before my AV node went bad, necessitating my present CRT-P. 

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