pace makers leads

  i had a stress test the doctor said i had 3 leads 2 leads did nothing the other lead worked with each heart beat i suppose to have a dual lead would that be only 2 leads a medtronice pace maker was put in 1996 can you explain why 3 leads would be in there
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Dear Bobbi,
Thank you for your question.  Have you had only one pacemaker placed?  If you have had a previous pacemaker they will sometimes leave in the leads from the old one in addition to the new leads.  This is one possible explaination.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.