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Moderator

Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others

Posted by Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan, Mar 12, 2025

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pacemaker & ICDs Support Group.

Profile picture for junaquino0909
junaquino0909 | @junaquino0909 | Aug 9 12:11pm
In reply to @walkinggirl "@junaquino0909 Welcome to Connect! Now you are a bionic person and we are glad you joined..." + (show)
Profile picture for Linda, Volunteer Mentor @walkinggirl

@junaquino0909 Welcome to Connect! Now you are a bionic person and we are glad you joined us. As you look through the postings in the Pacemaker & ICDs (Support Group, you will see many different threads of discussion to explore. You may also wish to read: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pacemaker/about/pac-20384689 We encourage people to learn as much as possible, knowledge is power and learning more may generate questions for your doctor.

I have an ICD, named Buddy, installed after a septal myectomy for HCM. I was having dizziness, giddiness and a couple of syncope due to an electrical problem causing arrythmias. All has been well, since.

How did it come about that you needed a pacemaker? What concerns do you have at the present time? I hope you are comfortable, what adjustments have you made to enhance your recovery? Tip: when going walking, I used a sling to prevent unnecessary arm swinging. We are looking forward to reading your posts.

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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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2 replies
Profile picture for jc76
jc76 | @jc76 | Aug 10 5:36am
In reply to @junaquino0909 "@walkinggirl Thank you for your very positive response and excellent perspective. My cardiologist had been monitoring..." + (show)
Profile picture for junaquino0909 @junaquino0909

@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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@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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Profile picture for alfcin61
alfcin61 | @alfcin61 | Aug 11 12:45am
In reply to @junaquino0909 "@walkinggirl Thank you for your very positive response and excellent perspective. My cardiologist had been monitoring..." + (show)
Profile picture for junaquino0909 @junaquino0909

@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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@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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1 reply
Profile picture for Linda, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | Aug 11 1:29pm
In reply to @alfcin61 "@junaquino0909 Hello! Have you developed PTSD, Anxiety or depression? I had my Pacemaker implanted July 18th...." + (show)
Profile picture for alfcin61 @alfcin61

@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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@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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