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Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: 17 hours ago | Replies (419)Comment receiving replies
Hello @markjones
Mayo Connect is a great place to connect with others who have had similar health experiences. I can certainly understand why you would like to get off the meds with their side-effects.
I am going to introduce you to some of our other Members who have mentioned Pacemakers. Perhaps they will respond with their experiences,
@lmclaugh @ronbee @jimana @martishka @billmichalski @sotiredofit @ricke62 @catygirl @bevtar98 @balubeje @marke92.
Teresa
Replies to "Hello @markjones Mayo Connect is a great place to connect with others who have had similar..."
My pacemaker became my new normal in June 2015. Personally I have bradycardia which is a slow heart rate. My heart rate was in the 50's on a good day and low heart rates are usually found in runners and those "die-hards" who run marathons. I don't fit that category though I do work out several days a week and walk two dogs routinely. On my physical exam a PA (physician assistant) couldn't find my heart rate. Consequently I went through a whole slew of tests like echocardiogram, ekg, stress test and then a slew more when it was determined that a PM was to be inserted. One particular test found that my heart stops for as long as 6 seconds-this was found on a heart monitor I wore for a month. I have a two lead pacemaker-no defibrillator-I see one of the top EP's in the world on a yearly basis and have my PM checked via remote 4 times a year. There are days when a nap is required but not a consistent concern. It has been determined that I have mild sleep apnea-which might be the cause of Afib that has developed over the course of time-which I am never aware of thus far but that might explain why this newest of onset. So last fall I was placed on a blood thinner. Hope you find this helpful. BTW: I do have a very strong heart-I just have issues with rhythm. So my heart relies on the PM and I'm pretty much oblivious to the times the PM helps out.
I am shortshot80) I have a pacemaker that I have had for 10 years now and in April i will have a new
battery put in. I have not had any pain, trouble of any kind and will be 85 in march. Good luck to you!
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Thank you, Teresa! Hello to you all. I don't know a lot about how pacemakers work and how they respond to different conditions to manage the body's blood flow needs. It's not the procedure itself or questioning the need for it that is my dilemma, but simply understanding what a pacemaker for life means from a day to day standpoint as compared to a heart that doesn't require a pacemaker. If you have any thougths to share I'd greatly appreciate them! Perhaps better to reply to my original post just a little above so that the background is included for anyone else reading. Thanks!!