??????????

does having a pacemaker mean i will be more likey to develop further heart complications or even heart failure???? just wondering as i have my pacer to stop my heart rate dropping below 60bpm and want to know if this is possible due to the pacer?? thanks chelle xxxxxxxx

7 Comments

Your pacer

by aldeer - 2008-04-12 09:04:48

Chelle... I am not a doctor, but, dear, just remember your pacemaker is there to help you live a better and longer life. You are in our prayers, and look at your pacemaker as a very good friend that is there to help as this club is here to help you. Just remember (very important) that there is no question here that is a dumb question. Mine is set to stop mine from dropping below 60... I am so thankful of that.... with love.... aldeer

Remember before your PM !!!

by johng - 2008-04-13 01:04:31

Chelle, I remember your first posting.

Think of how much, your quality of life has improved with your PM.
You were in greater danger of death and further heart damage than now.

Anxiety and worrying are a natural reaction to the surgery and having a PM. installed.

Read CathrynB's posting MILESTONE, and think this is something you will experience, sooner than you can imagine.

Keep in contact with this group and sharing any ideas and concerns. We are all travelling the same road, some are further on, than others.

Best wishes,
Johng

Hi Chelle

by Jules - 2008-04-13 02:04:00

I had similar thoughts as yourself. Worrying if my pacemaker was going to give me heart failure. You have voiced this and I am really glad you did. What wonderful responses, I feel better myself for just reading them.

I am off to England tomorrow to look after my twin granddaughters and I was beginning to get nervous, should I fly? will I be OK? Well thanks to your note and the replies. I know I will be OK.

Luv Jules

Further complications...

by Swedeheart - 2008-04-13 03:04:54

Chelle,

I am just a patient too... however, I don't think our pacemakers create problems for us, they help us solve them. I think for many patients their pacemaker is one solution to a wide variety of heart problems. I know for me I have heart block and my PM is set to keep me from dropping below 60 as well, but I also have a natural fast heart rate and high blood pressure which is treated with medications. So... I may have further heart issues in the future, who knows... at some point I am sure I will if I can live long enough! :)

I have often wondered the same thing, and as a person who generally worries about the unknown it is hard sometimes to shake all the doom and gloom thoughts... but as I heal from my implant I am learning to trust my PM and how I am feeling. We never know what the future will bring, yikes I never thought I would have a pacemaker! Enjoy today and live your life.

peace of mind

by cqmccann - 2008-04-13 03:04:58

I am only at day 4 with my pacer and it doesnt let my heart rate below 50. It gives me total peace of mind that I will never brady down to asystole again. Trust this little device and feel secure in its ability. Allow yourself that peace. I have and it, along with all of your comments, have enabled me to start off with that confidence. I hope that for you as well.

Relax The Answers is NO

by peter - 2008-04-13 08:04:23

In you case I suspect you have bradycardia, that is you have a tendency for your heart rate to drop below a certain level. You are therefore are not pacemaker dependant and are in the luckiest group. You are more likely to live longer than someone without a pacemaker. The full benefits of pacing technologies are still only being realised as it has been recently discovered that pacemakers are also keeping the heart muscle in prime or best condition possible.Have a glass of wine and celibrate.

Good question

by Terry - 2008-04-13 10:04:25

Chelle, check this out:

David Study of pacing:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/288/24/3115?ijkey=fc54101eeb36560b8f5865583bbdd2a50bd26de4&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

Most:

http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/abstract/47/2/282?ck=nck

Of course the latest is His bundle pacing to allow a natural, physiolotical contraction to prevent pacemaker induced remodeling.

Terry

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