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Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others
Pacemaker & ICDs | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (70)Comment receiving replies
Hi. I had an emergency pacemaker inserted three months ago. I was a relatively healthy and active 63 year old woman. I started to not feel well for two days and went to the ER. I was shocked when they immediately admitted me. I had a heart rate of 30 and within 20 minutes they told me I needed a pacemaker I had a complete electrical block. It was such a whirlwind and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it now. I have just started to go back to exercising. I think the hardest thing is mentally to adjust that I need a device to now keep me alive. Also, it feels what I can only describe as “creepy” to see the bump in my chest and totally feel the outline of the pacemaker. Any advice or suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.
Replies to "Hi. I had an emergency pacemaker inserted three months ago. I was a relatively healthy and..."
I am a 77 yr old woman. I went for yrly check ups and scans and xrays and blood. All was perfect always. The worse i had was high BP and take meds. I also have IBS. That's it and i have always been thin. On 3/23/25 my husband and i were watching TV and all of a sudden i got real dizzy and had a funny feeling in my chest, both arms and my jaw and i passed out. My husband was frantic as i had no pulse so he did CPR and got me back and then called 911. In the hosp i had another attack and they paddled me. I have no recollection of any of it. They transferred me to a Cardio hosp near by. I have never had so many IVs in my life and a ton of blood tests and a painful Catheraztion thru my wrist. Everything was good but the beats of my heart were off so i had to have an ICD implanted. I was in complete shock. Within a matter of seconds my whole world has changed. I feel like a really old woman.
Just wanted to add a bit to jc76 about the exercising. I had a 31 bpm when I got my pacemaker in Sept. 2022. The pacemaker will allow you to be active again. My "thing" is strength training. Took off 12 rather than 6-8 weeks from exercise. Started slowly but steadily. Almost 3 years now. Cannot believe what I've been able to do. And, it brings me joy as well as strength.
Getting a pacemaker is a physical and emotional blow to our systems. It takes time to deal with it. There are ups and downs and it isn't easy. I felt old and weak, and fragile. I was afraid to exercise at first. I cried and whined and griped. You do what you need to do. And, it does get better. I will be 78 in two months.
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@joypalmer1
I have had a ICD/Pacemaker since 2006 and on my third device.
A question: Did you get pacemaker only or ICD also?
My heart rate (HR) would be in 30s also because of medications. I have it paced to 70 BPM to help with PVCs. My EP found that 70 BPM was best rate for me to lesson PVCs and for my exercise routine.
I was told it would take about 1 year for me to get used to having the pacemaker in my chest. I have mine under my chest muscle as I did not have enough skin to just put under skin. It was also put under my chest muscle because I was so physically active.
Look at the bump under your chest as having your own EMS in your body. The device is there to protect you and keep your heart beating. So try to see as a lifesaver. The discomfort will go away. What body does per my EP is it will ecapsalate the device eventually as see as a foreing object and the discomfor will subside.
I mentioned if you have just a pacemaker or a ICD also. If you also have a ICD I can post some tips on it.