URGENT Please Help

[smishra762]

hi all
My mom  is a 46 year old heart patient.In 1994 she had a balloning operation.Because of  milld Mitral stenosis.She has recieved one Aortic valve replacement in 2006.She was doing fine when she fainted some times Her Holter report detects  irregular heart rythm
having minimum  heart rate of 32 and maximum of 148.There has been different opinions on the same one cardiologist said she needs a premanenet pacemaker and another one said she does not need and has given some beta blockers .Please advice so as what has to be done .We are disheartened.

[ireneo]

A heart rate of 32 is very slow. That's probably why the one doctor thinks a pacemaker would be helpful. It will keep her heart rate up to a better speed where she'll feel more energetic and not so faint. I guess it depends on how often or how long her heart rate is that low.

[Momto3]

It is my understand that a low heart rate would benefit from a pacemaker.  My dad received a pacemake for that very reason.  I agree with ireno that 32 is pretty low.  Has she seen an electrophysiologist?  He/she may be able to determine if a pacemaker is best for your mom.

[smishra762]

Thanks  ireno and  momto but  wont the   medicines like  Beta Blockers help?

[Momto3]

I'm not a doctor and I don't know why the doctor prescribed a beta blocker.  I think that's something I'd ask since beta blockers can actually slow the heart rate.  The doctor may have prescribed the BB for an entirely different set of symptoms, etc., but it might be worth checking out.

Check out this link and look at the side effects

http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Beta-blockers.html

[sugarpea013]

beta blockers can be used to help control abnormal rhythms...however they won't help her slow heart rate. Like Momto3 said they actually can further slow the rate. I think the pacemaker sounds like a pretty good idea.

Best wishes!