One Year Anniversary

Posted by ted3 @ted3, 4 days ago

Today marks the one-year anniversary of receiving my Medtronic Azure pacemaker.

On April 16, I woke up feeling “off” and decided to skip my usual morning run. Later, I asked my wife if she could drive to Walmart. On the way, my Apple Watch alerted me to a low heart rate. When we arrived, I made it to the entrance but told her I couldn’t walk any further.

We returned home, gathered a few things, and headed to the ER at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. I was quickly admitted to the cardiology floor and diagnosed with Mobitz Type II AV block. My heart rate dropped into the 30s, and overnight into the 20s. Early on, I was told I would need a pacemaker—and that I would be fine.

Two days later, I underwent minimally invasive surgery and received my pacemaker. The difference was immediate—like a switch being flipped. Not only had I avoided a potentially life-threatening situation, I had my life back.

Over the past year, I’ve traveled to Africa and Hawaii, resumed running six days a week (typically 3 miles with about 150 feet of elevation gain), and recently achieved my fastest average pace (10:51) since October 2024. I’m also back to playing pickleball and riding my bike. I don’t feel like I’m 75.

I’ll close with a couple of thoughts. I’m deeply grateful to Medtronic and Mayo Clinic for the science, technology, and care that gave me my life back. And to anyone newly diagnosed with Mobitz Type II AV block: a pacemaker can truly restore your quality of life. Any inconveniences are far outweighed by the benefits.
All the best, Ted

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gloaming | @gloaming | 3 days ago

Thanks for posting your great experience and reasoning, Ted. Medicine does continue to evolve and to improve, and pacemakers are no exception. They have come a long way since the tech set an HR of about 75 and that's what you got.....forever.

It's the same with arrhythmias such as flutter, VTAC, SVT, and atrial fibrillation (AF). They have been doing ablations for decades, but only now do we have several techniques and are we finding new places to ablate and how to get them put to sleep.

cottagecountry | @cottagecountry | 3 hours ago

Hello Ted
Heartfelt congratulations to you, Ted. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us.
Your positivity will be, I have no doubt, encouraging to those who may be awaiting such a device. Often the fear of the unknown holds us back and causes more anxiety than need be. But real life experiences like the one you have shared will go along way to help alleviate some of those concerns in those who are worried about how such a device will impact their lives. Like me, you have experienced that in most cases, these devices do not "disable" us but, instead, "enable" us to live better lives.
I am coming up to four years in September with my CRT-D. And in my case, my device quite literally saved my life. I would not be here without it.
So, I would like to send you my best wishes for many more years of good health, running, and travelling. Well done, you.

Kirsten

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