Left sided heart failure

My daddy has just been started on Coreg to try to increase the pumping action of the left side of his heart, which is failing.  In 4 weeks, he will be getting some form of pacemaker to help with this.  I thought that a pacemaker was used for other reasons, not heart failure.  He has been asymptomatic until last few weeks.  He is now having some shortness of breath and left arm pain.  Can anyone tell me more about what is going on with him?  Has anyone you know had this "pumping pacemaker"  put in?

[anacyde]

Hi there.  Certain types of pacemakers can improve heart function in some heart failure patients.  He may be getting one of those.  And yep, they can do that.  Isn't technology great?

I hope your dad feels better very soon, and that the pacemaker brings great improvements for him.  Best wishes.