Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

Any ICD/Pacemaker recipients using electric blanket? It’s my winter bed cover to keep the cold out. I’ve use it about 8 months out of the year. Is there a potential problem with electric field interference with the ICD ?

Please forgive the typos.
I have to remind myself that using the keyboard on my phone to write replies to posts is an invitation to type gibberish. 🙃
My apologies.

Hello brightwood
Thank you for taking the time to put to this thread.
I believe messages such as yours hi a long way to help reassure others that pacemakers in all their forms, are meant to enable, not disable, patients. For the most part, they improve lives by enabling recipients to live life much more fully and with better overall quality. That is certainly been my experience.
Again thank you for sharing your positive message.
Take care of yourself.
Best wishes.

Thanks for posting the Mayo link, which I dad to compare it to my own experiences nearly two years ago. My extreme episodes of breathlessness while out walking and light-headed ness ( which I blamed on pandemic anxiety) led me to 30 days wearing a Holter monitor, which reported to my physician that I was having partial “blockages” — actually electrical issues within my heart. After one episode where I had no beat for 4.5 seconds I was referred to a cardiologist who sent me immediately to ER and subsequent admission for an emergency implantation of a two-wire pace-maker. When they could finally work me into the surgery schedule three (hospitalized) days later the actual surgery was under general anesthesia and only took 30 minutes. And I’ve been grateful for it ever since. I have about 9 yrs left on my battery. My advice is to be sure to schedule the procedure at a hospital that does high volumes of the surgery, where the doctors are very experienced. Good luck, all! 🙂

Hello ricardorios1000

In addition to the excellent information provided by mfenn and jer22, I am including a link to an article from Mayo Clinic which explains a great deal about pacemakers and the possible need for one.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pacemaker/about/pac-20384689
I hope this article helps.

All the best.

Hi Ricardo
I also have "Bradycardia" my heart rate drops to around 42-46 when sleeping and is somewhat normal during day, may go to around 55-62 when just sitting and relaxing, They "Think" a pacemaker would help with the symptoms you also mention. --I just can't get it in my head that it should help, when to me during the day my heart rate is somewhat normal ?
I guess I will go for it, 1st week in December.
Thanks and anymore thoughts appreciated.
Jer

Ricardo:

I have a regular pacemaker with two leads. The one in discussion above is AICD. I can't comment on that one.

My pacemaker is for Bradycardia. My heart beat is way too low on its own. My symptoms were fatigue, a dropping heart rate and some dizziness. Because I was very active, I assumed the lowering heart rate was because my heart was getting stronger. The slight dizziness was after heavy lifting so I assumed it was from that. If you have those symptoms: fatigue, low heart beat and some dizziness, you need to see your doctor. Even if you only have one or two you should consult the doctor. I had a phone appointment booked with my doctor for a Monday. When I checked my heart beat on the Saturday before it was 34. A nurse said go to the hospital where it was 31. I was in emerg. Saturday, Cardio ward Sunday, Pacemaker Monday. The procedure is simple. There is lots of information on recovery and people on this forum are always happy to share their experiences. The pacemaker saved my life, and I am living a good and active life.
Mavis

Can u tell me what was your symptoms before the pacemaker please

Got it! Thank you. I will for sure talk to me EP about that.

@jnjetsman
Electrolytes are found in specialized water products and drink products like gatorade. I am not sure of all the ingredients that qualify as electrolytes but I know magnesium and postassium are part of it.

When ever I went to emergency room or talked to EP about causes they always mentioned electrolytes inbalance as a possible cause. So drinking (always talk to you medical providers that this is okay for you and if something you can do) water, gator aide, and other products that promote electrolytes is something I do. There are many water products and drink products that promote electrolytes. I drink a water product that has electrolytes in it.