42 yr old with pacemaker questions

Hi Greg........if you don't mind, can I email you? Yes, the
heart blockage will get worse. I had complete heart blockage
in 1992 when I was 22 years old. The doctors suggested a
pacemaker and being ignorant and young, I told them that I
wanted to see if it would get better "on its own". Well, it
dropped to 2nd degree heart blockage over the years and I
worked, but was always sluggish and having dizzy spells. I
still chose not to get the pacemaker.

January of 2002 (32 years old) my body had enough and I
began passing out and falling asleep at the wheel on the
interstate on my way home from work. I was in complete
heart blockage again, heart rate of about 20 beats if
that.....long story short I received a pacemaker which
saved my life.

If you want other details I can email you. I don't like to
post too much on the newsgroups.

"Greg" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi Glad I found this group and hope you can help answer
some questions and maybe releive some anxiety. I'm a 42yr
old male in above average shape, was diagnosed with Sinus
Bradycardia aboout 18 months ago during a routine exam,
followed with a cardiologist, EKG, 24hr monitor and stress
test. Monitor indicated that I sometimes drop into the
upper 30's and lower 40's at rest but the stress test
showed good response to load and I came up to 140, Dr said
since I have no symptoms come back in a year, which I did
6 months ago, still with no symptoms and resting rate in
his office was about 60. I regularly workout (3-5 times a
week of aerobics for 30 minutes along with weight
training)About 2-3 months ago I had a few lightheaded
spells after going upstairs, using treadmill, getting out
of chairs, etc, never completely passed out ...but close.
Also noticed that my heart rate did not seem to be coming
up like it should when working out and would rarley climb
over 85 even after 20-30 minutes of fast walking on a
treadmill or eliptical trainer also noticed my resting
rate at work (desk job) would often be in the low 50's
sometimes upper 40's. Went back to the cardiologist who
did another 24 hr monitor and stress test. Monitor showed
that in the 24hr period I never went above 75 with quite a
bit in the 30's and 40's and a low of 33, on the treadmill
I only went up to 76 after 11 minutes. Doctor said I have
chrontropic incompetence, no documented complete heart
block but high-grade 2:1 AV block at times. He is
recommending a pacemaker --dual chamber rate responsive.

At 42 I'm very nervous about getting a pacmaker but have
pretty much resigned myself that it will be needed.Some
questions I have are:

1. Is it normal that the change would happen so rapidly
(3-4months)? I knew that 18 montha ago I might
eventually need a pacemaker but I was thinking more
like 8-10years. I was surprised that my rate during
exercise changed so quickly....6 months ago I would hit
130-140 now 75-85. Is this normal for Brady cardia?

2. Are there any other options short of a pacemaker?

3. Does heart block ever correct itself or improve on its
own over time?

4. How will getting a pacemaker effect my lifestyle, I'm a
very active father of two preteen girls and love to
swim, run, hike, ride bikes, water ski and go to
amusement parks and ride the coasters with my kids!

5. Any information you can provide me on my condition
would be appreciated.

I am due back to see the Dr in 4-5 dyas and discuss what
to do next and want to arm myself with as much knowledge
as I can

Thanks

Greg said:

Hi Glad I found this group and hope you can help answer
some questions and maybe releive some anxiety. I'm a 42yr
old male in above average shape, was diagnosed with Sinus
Bradycardia aboout 18 months ago during a routine exam,
followed with a cardiologist, EKG, 24hr monitor and stress
test. Monitor indicated that I sometimes drop into the
upper 30's and lower 40's at rest but the stress test
showed good response to load and I came up to 140, Dr said
since I have no symptoms come back in a year, which I did
6 months ago, still with no symptoms and resting rate in
his office was about 60. I regularly workout (3-5 times a
week of aerobics for 30 minutes along with weight
training)About 2-3 months ago I had a few lightheaded
spells after going upstairs, using treadmill, getting out
of chairs, etc, never completely passed out ...but close.
Also noticed that my heart rate did not seem to be coming
up like it should when working out and would rarley climb
over 85 even after 20-30 minutes of fast walking on a
treadmill or eliptical trainer also noticed my resting
rate at work (desk job) would often be in the low 50's
sometimes upper 40's. Went back to the cardiologist who
did another 24 hr monitor and stress test. Monitor showed
that in the 24hr period I never went above 75 with quite a
bit in the 30's and 40's and a low of 33, on the treadmill
I only went up to 76 after 11 minutes. Doctor said I have
chrontropic incompetence, no documented complete heart
block but high-grade 2:1 AV block at times. He is
recommending a pacemaker --dual chamber rate responsive.

At 42 I'm very nervous about getting a pacmaker but have
pretty much resigned myself that it will be needed.Some
questions I have are:

1. Is it normal that the change would happen so rapidly
(3-4months)?

It is not usual.

Quoted message said:

I knew that 18 montha ago I might eventually need a
pacemaker but I was thinking more like 8-10years. I was
surprised that my rate during exercise changed so
quickly....6 months ago I would hit 130-140 now 75-85. Is
this normal for Brady cardia?

This is not normal.

Quoted message said:

2. Are there any other options short of a pacemaker?

The other option would be no pacemaker (but probably poor
quality of life).

Quoted message said:

3. Does heart block ever correct itself or improve on its
own over time?

For high grade 2:1 AV block... usually not. If it did, one
would *not* remove the pacemaker and its leads.

Quoted message said:

4. How will getting a pacemaker effect my lifestyle, I'm a
very active father of two preteen girls and love to
swim, run, hike, ride bikes, water ski and go to
amusement parks and ride the coasters with my kids!

It would only serve to improve it.

Quoted message said:

5. Any information you can provide me on my condition
would be appreciated.

You've got it.

Quoted message said:

I am due back to see the Dr in 4-5 dyas and discuss what
to do next and want to arm myself with as much knowledge
as I can

Thanks

You are welcome, Greg.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

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[email hidden] (Greg) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Glad I found this group and hope you can help answer
some questions and maybe releive some anxiety. I'm a 42yr
old male in above average shape, was diagnosed with Sinus
Bradycardia aboout 18 months ago during a routine exam,
followed with a cardiologist, EKG, 24hr monitor and stress
test. Monitor indicated that I sometimes drop into the
upper 30's and lower 40's at rest but the stress test
showed good response to load and I came up to 140, Dr said
since I have no symptoms come back in a year, which I did
6 months ago, still with no symptoms and resting rate in
his office was about 60. I regularly workout (3-5 times a
week of aerobics for 30 minutes along with weight
training)About 2-3 months ago I had a few lightheaded
spells after going upstairs, using treadmill, getting out
of chairs, etc, never completely passed out ...but close.
Also noticed that my heart rate did not seem to be coming
up like it should when working out and would rarley climb
over 85 even after 20-30 minutes of fast walking on a
treadmill or eliptical trainer also noticed my resting
rate at work (desk job) would often be in the low 50's
sometimes upper 40's. Went back to the cardiologist who
did another 24 hr monitor and stress test. Monitor showed
that in the 24hr period I never went above 75 with quite a
bit in the 30's and 40's and a low of 33, on the treadmill
I only went up to 76 after 11 minutes. Doctor said I have
chrontropic incompetence, no documented complete heart
block but high-grade 2:1 AV block at times. He is
recommending a pacemaker --dual chamber rate responsive.

At 42 I'm very nervous about getting a pacmaker but have
pretty much resigned myself that it will be needed.Some
questions I have are:

1. Is it normal that the change would happen so rapidly
(3-4months)? I knew that 18 montha ago I might
eventually need a pacemaker but I was thinking more
like 8-10years. I was surprised that my rate during
exercise changed so quickly....6 months ago I would hit
130-140 now 75-85. Is this normal for Brady cardia?

2. Are there any other options short of a pacemaker?

3. Does heart block ever correct itself or improve on its
own over time?

4. How will getting a pacemaker effect my lifestyle, I'm a
very active father of two preteen girls and love to
swim, run, hike, ride bikes, water ski and go to
amusement parks and ride the coasters with my kids!

5. Any information you can provide me on my condition
would be appreciated.

I am due back to see the Dr in 4-5 dyas and discuss what
to do next and want to arm myself with as much knowledge
as I can

Thanks

Hi again,

I also wanted to add a few additional items that also occurred-

-when I was waiting in a chair to get on the treadmill I was
very axxious and noted that my rate was about 82 upon
stading and getting on the treadmill and starting to workout
it actually dropped into the high 50's and then climbed to a
max of 75........is this drop in rate upon rising normal
with my condition?

- when I have attempted to go running like I did a few hours
ago I could only go a few hundred yards before I was wiped
out and had to stop, after only going less than a 100
yards I had the sensation like I could not get enough air
and when I finally stopped after 2-300 yards my rate was
only about 70, is this sensation of not enough air also
common with my condition?

Could there be some other reasons or condition for the
low rate and the poor responsiveness to the rate when
I exercise?

Greg said:

[email hidden] (Greg) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Glad I found this group and hope you can help answer
some questions and maybe releive some anxiety. I'm a
42yr old male in above average shape, was diagnosed with
Sinus Bradycardia aboout 18 months ago during a routine
exam, followed with a cardiologist, EKG, 24hr monitor
and stress test. Monitor indicated that I sometimes drop
into the upper 30's and lower 40's at rest but the
stress test showed good response to load and I came up
to 140, Dr said since I have no symptoms come back in a
year, which I did 6 months ago, still with no symptoms
and resting rate in his office was about 60. I regularly
workout (3-5 times a week of aerobics for 30 minutes
along with weight training)About 2-3 months ago I had a
few lightheaded spells after going upstairs, using
treadmill, getting out of chairs, etc, never completely
passed out ...but close. Also noticed that my heart rate
did not seem to be coming up like it should when working
out and would rarley climb over 85 even after 20-30
minutes of fast walking on a treadmill or eliptical
trainer also noticed my resting rate at work (desk job)
would often be in the low 50's sometimes upper 40's.
Went back to the cardiologist who did another 24 hr
monitor and stress test. Monitor showed that in the 24hr
period I never went above 75 with quite a bit in the
30's and 40's and a low of 33, on the treadmill I only
went up to 76 after 11 minutes. Doctor said I have
chrontropic incompetence, no documented complete heart
block but high-grade 2:1 AV block at times. He is
recommending a pacemaker --dual chamber rate responsive.

At 42 I'm very nervous about getting a pacmaker but have
pretty much resigned myself that it will be needed.Some
questions I have are:

1. Is it normal that the change would happen so rapidly
(3-4months)? I knew that 18 montha ago I might
eventually need a pacemaker but I was thinking more
like 8-10years. I was surprised that my rate during
exercise changed so quickly....6 months ago I would
hit 130-140 now 75-85. Is this normal for Brady
cardia?

2. Are there any other options short of a pacemaker?

3. Does heart block ever correct itself or improve on
its own over time?

4. How will getting a pacemaker effect my lifestyle, I'm
a very active father of two preteen girls and love to
swim, run, hike, ride bikes, water ski and go to
amusement parks and ride the coasters with my kids!

5. Any information you can provide me on my condition
would be appreciated.

I am due back to see the Dr in 4-5 dyas and discuss what
to do next and want to arm myself with as much knowledge
as I can

Thanks

Hi again,

I also wanted to add a few additional items that also occurred-

-when I was waiting in a chair to get on the treadmill I
was very axxious and noted that my rate was about 82 upon
stading and getting on the treadmill and starting to
workout it actually dropped into the high 50's and then
climbed to a max of 75........is this drop in rate upon
rising normal with my condition?

The unpredictability of it is.

Quoted message said:

- when I have attempted to go running like I did a few
hours ago I could only go a few hundred yards before I
was wiped out and had to stop, after only going less
than a 100 yards I had the sensation like I could not
get enough air and when I finally stopped after 2-300
yards my rate was only about 70, is this sensation of
not enough air also common with my condition?

Not common.

Quoted message said:

Could there be some other reasons or condition for the low
rate and the poor responsiveness to the rate when I
exercise?

Bezold Jarisch Phenomenon - ischemia of the inferior wall
triggering increased vagal tone resulting in slower heart
rate or outright AV block.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

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"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Greg) wrote in message news:<fa0d18f1.0-
[email hidden]>... -when I was
waiting in a chair to get on the treadmill I was very
axxious and noted that my rate was about 82 upon stading
and getting on the treadmill and starting to workout it
actually dropped into the high 50's and then climbed to a
max of 75........is this drop in rate upon rising normal
with my condition?

The unpredictability of it is.

There may also be two components at play. While you may have
some degree of chronotropic incompetence, the sudden rate
drop may be the development 2:1 AV block or higher. A sinus
rate of 150 during exercise would only be conducted with a
ventricular rate of 75.

It sounds as if the bradycardia is certainly symptomatic. I
hope that your cardiologist can clarify some of your
questions about having a pacemaker when you visit him.

Pacemakers can make a significant difference in the quality
of life of someone with problematic bradycardia and heart
block. The current generation of devices are extremely small
and unnoticeable, with very long battery life.

- TC, md Pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology

Terrence Chun said:

"Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <[email hidden]>
wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Greg) wrote in message news:<fa0d18f1-
[email hidden]>... -when I was
waiting in a chair to get on the treadmill I was very
axxious and noted that my rate was about 82 upon
stading and getting on the treadmill and starting to
workout it actually dropped into the high 50's and then
climbed to a max of 75........is this drop in rate upon
rising normal with my condition?

The unpredictability of it is.

There may also be two components at play. While you may
have some degree of chronotropic incompetence, the sudden
rate drop may be the development 2:1 AV block or higher. A
sinus rate of 150 during exercise would only be conducted
with a ventricular rate of 75.

It sounds as if the bradycardia is certainly symptomatic.
I hope that your cardiologist can clarify some of your
questions about having a pacemaker when you visit him.

Pacemakers can make a significant difference in the
quality of life of someone with problematic bradycardia
and heart block.

I would concur :-)

Quoted message said:

The current generation of devices are extremely small and
unnoticeable, with very long battery life.

Especially in someone who is unlikely to be 100% pacemaker
dependent as seems to be the case here.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

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"Amy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Greg........if you don't mind, can I email you? Yes,
the heart blockage will get worse. I had complete heart
blockage in 1992 when I was 22 years old. The doctors
suggested a pacemaker and being ignorant and young, I told
them that I wanted to see if it would get better "on its
own". Well, it dropped to 2nd degree heart blockage over
the years and I worked, but was always sluggish and having
dizzy spells. I still chose not to get the pacemaker.

January of 2002 (32 years old) my body had enough and I
began passing out and falling asleep at the wheel on the
interstate on my way home from work. I was in complete
heart blockage again, heart rate of about 20 beats if
that.....long story short I received a pacemaker which
saved my life.

If you want other details I can email you. I don't like to
post too much on the newsgroups.

Amy,

If you would like to share more details please E-mail me

Thanks

What a nice surprise to have another MD respond to questions
posed here. Thank you Dr. Chun and I hope you stick around
this group. Just use a good kill filter and you can weed out
most of the spam and nonsense that goes on here.

Quoted message said:

- TC, md Pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology

George <[email hidden]> wrote in news:tgvj605qnes96q2408uvn5vnbpv2bc24h7
@4ax.com:

Quoted message said:

What a nice surprise to have another MD respond to
questions posed here. Thank you Dr. Chun and I hope you
stick around this group. Just use a good kill filter and
you can weed out most of the spam and nonsense that goes
on here.

Oh, I've been around for a while. I have been lurking since
the days when Dr Chung was a resident and I was still in
med school.

The signal to noise ratio comes and goes. My plonkfile is
bursting at the seams. Every now and then I crawl out from
under my rock and post something, but only if I have
something to contribute. Best to just avoid most of the
mudflinging.

- TC, md Pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology

Terrence Chun said:

George <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:tgvj605qnes96q2408uvn5vnbpv2bc24h7 @4ax.com:

Quoted message said:

What a nice surprise to have another MD respond to
questions posed here. Thank you Dr. Chun and I hope you
stick around this group. Just use a good kill filter and
you can weed out most of the spam and nonsense that goes
on here.

Oh, I've been around for a while. I have been lurking
since the days when Dr Chung was a resident and I was
still in med school.

The signal to noise ratio comes and goes.

It does.

Quoted message said:

My plonkfile is bursting at the seams. Every now and then
I crawl out from under my rock and post something, but
only if I have something to contribute. Best to just
avoid most of the mudflinging.

If you stay truthful, only the mudflingers get dirtied.

Servant to the humblest person in the universe,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
heartmdphd.comheartmdphd.comOpen ↗

**
Who is the humblest person in the universe?
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What is all this about?
makeashorterlink.commakeashorterlink.comOpen ↗

Is this spam?
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