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Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others
Welcome to the Pacemaker & ICDs Support Group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
If you or someone you care about has had a pacemaker or an implantable cardio device (ICD), this is a great place to talk with others with similar experiences. Here, you will learn from one-another and share stories about surgery, recovery, lifestyle changes, successes, setbacks and what strategies helped other members on their journey.
Take these steps to participate in the group:
- Follow the group.
- Browse topics.
- Use the group search to find relevant topics to your questions.
- Introduce yourself.
Pull up a chair and chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of device do you have? What tip would you share with others?
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@walkinggirl
Thank you for your very positive response and excellent perspective. My cardiologist had been monitoring my heart for over 5 years. Due to low resting heart rate. I am an avid recreational runner /hiker having run 20 marathons, thus the low resting heart rate of 45-55 bpm. But Symptoms of shortness of breath, occasional dizziness, fatigue and sporadic low heart beats, averaging between 45-50 bpm were concern areas. Started with a holter monitor, then a patch monitor and finally the 30 days chest monitor. Results indicate bradycardia, occasional heart rate below 35-45 bpm. He Referred me to an electrophysiologist who conducted several tests as well. Final recommendation is to have a pacemaker to alleviate the bradycardia and other BPM concerns. Thus, I had my pacemaker implanted on 08/04/2026 at Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, San Diego, CA. Results thus far are encouraging and positive. Morning walks of 30 mins at 22 mph pace. No pains nor concerns so far at the suture area. Resting heart rate now above 60 bpm. Surgeon and pacemaker evaluation in 7 days, if any concerns are perceived and if adjustments to the pacemaker are necessary. Thank you again.
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4 Reactions@junaquino0909
That is great news for you. I have had an ICD/Pacemaker for over 20 years.
On the news you see many athletes and past athletes who had very low pulse rates like yours (doctors say an athletes heart beat can be too low based on their extreme fitness) and have gotten pacemakers to bring pulse rate up.
Sounds like you have excellent doctors and what was prescribed for you worked for you.
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1 Reaction@junaquino0909 Hello! Have you developed PTSD, Anxiety or depression? I had my Pacemaker implanted July 18th. All these issues occurred after my implant. Due to the horrible experience of my heart rhythm going down to Zero bpm. They had to pace me to bring me back. Gonna start therapy with a Psychiatrist due to all these symptoms.
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3 Reactions@alfcin61 You have been through much and I am glad to read that you are advocating for yourself by seeking professional therapy to work your way through this. Here on Connect, there has been discussion about pacemakers and depression, to read what others have written, please type in your browser "Mayo Connect depression" and also "Mayo Connect anxiety." If it's any consolation, you have plenty of company and others have shared their experiences. Best wishes for resolving/learning to live with these issues that are having a negative impact on your wellbeing. Please do share how your recovery is progressing, others can learn from your journey.
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1 ReactionI have a ICD now since April 2017, and it shocked me 4 weeks ago, saved my life. I was riding my bike and pushing myself , something I want do again. Dr. Said heart rate was 180 and the Difulator did what it’s suppose to. Follow up apt in 1 week, might have to add 3rd leed.
Wondering about others, starting to get a little concerned.
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1 Reaction@csq55
Have had mine since 2006. I have been shocked about a dozen times. Seems to come in go with heart irritation from over exercising, stress, etc. Stress does a real number of my heart acting up.
I was told and it helped me adjust to having my device that to think of it as having your own EMS team ready to help you when needed" So for me I am thankful I have it and thank my doctors for prescribing it for me. I have a dual device ICD/Pacemaker.
Talk to your doctors about medication that can help with adrenaline and calming the heart. I take several and they were increased recently and seem to be really helping keeping me out of tachycardia.
@jc76
Thanks for that info. Just a little scary when it happened. Might ask for new drugs upcoming apt. This plavik and metatoporal make me too sleepy.
@csq55 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a forum where you can meet others with similar health issues. It is not a place to get professional medical care, but we are among others who share stories and help each other with nonmedical suggestions. I am glad to read that your ICD acted like your personal EMT, as @jc76 always points out, at the time it needed to do that. That's a high heart rate, what does your electrophysiologist and cardiologist recommend as your upper limit? Ask about that as well and if there are other recommendations, including medications, that would be beneficial. We are looking forward to reading about your next step.