more sick sinus syndrome

hi all:
i received my PM on 12/14/07 for SSS and all appears to be progressing well. i still have much tightness around the incision and mych soreness as well but it is tolerable and fairly common as i have read in this forum. my condition seems to have developed within the last 16 months ( i am 50years old). after doing much reading on this subject and speaking with my cardiologist, it is difficult to determine if the SSS is progressive beyound this point. that is, will it get any worse requiring more PM involvement and/or will it progress into more heart conduction problems.anyone have something to add or forcast about this SSS and its stability over time? i would appreciate any responses.
steve.

3 Comments

Also..

by axg9504 - 2008-01-15 08:01:12

I never had a problem with low rates when I was inactive or sitting still. Whether one day I would have gotten to that point I don't know. The doc told me that the Adapta was designed to pace only when your natural conduction system was not working.

If PM works you won't know

by axg9504 - 2008-01-15 08:01:18

if it's (SSS) is getting worse, because it should keep you paced, would be my opinion. I was implanted on 12/11, I'm older than you. I had problems with a slowing SA node for almost 6 years and it did get worse from being triggered by sustained exercise to the point where small exertions would trigger a lowered heart rate. I also apparently had an arrhythmia (alternating accelerated junctional rhythm), so what is really helping me right now, I think, is the beta blocker that I am taking which also lowers my BP close to recommended (I was pre-hypertensive) and also my heart rate. The danger of the beta blocker sustaining a low rate triggered by the SSS is now removed by the PM. What model/brand did you get? I have a Medtronic Adapta which has only been in 'service' for a year.

More SSS

by Vai - 2008-01-15 12:01:22

I am in the same age group and also diagnosed with SSS. My cardio tells me that the SSS condition is likely to progressively gets worse over time as one ages but the rate of the progression cannot be determined and will vary with individuals. It can be a very slow process.

The PM is deisgned to kick in when your own natural heart rythmn falls below the preset lower threshold (could be set at 55 bpm, at 60 bpm or 70m bpm). If the SSS progressively gets worse over time, the PM would just pace more. It kind of works entirely in the background and you will not even feel it. The PM is like a vigilant sentinel protecting you.

The only consequence of the PM pacing more is that the battery life would be reduced. This is normally checked during the PM interrogation & check-up (initially once in 3 -4 months).



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