Hi,
Implanted Pacemakers are often used when Bradycardia becomes an issue. The term Bradycardia refers to a Heart Rate slower than 60 beats per minute. Heart Rates slower than 60 beats per minute are not that uncommon, and if a person is on some medications, such as Beta Blockers, it can be quite normal. My heat rate would drop to 54 beats per minute when I was at rest, and I am sure even slower while asleep. Bradycardia is also something that Athletes experience, as their hearts are so well conditioned that they pump enough blood for their bodies to function without needing to pump fast.
But, Bradycardia can also can also cause problems. Near the top of the heart is an area referred to as the SA (Sino Atrial) Node. This serves as the Heart's natural pacemaker. Sometimes as we age, or perhaps due to disease processes, or sometimes undesired influence from the Parasympathetic Nervous System, the SA Node fails to discharge. If it doesn't discharge, there is another part of the electrical system in the heart, called the AV (Atrio Ventricular) Node, which will discharge and keep the heart beating. But the AV Node fires more slowly than the SA Node, therefore the heart may go too slow.
In order to keep the heart rate sufficently fast, Doctors sometimes need to implant a Pacemaker that will discharge only when the SA Node fails to fire. This type of Pacemaker monitors the heart, and if the SA Node goes too long without firing, the Implanted Pacemaker will discharge, therefore keeping the heart rate fast enough. If the SA Node works as expected, the Implanted Pacemaker does not do anything, just monitors. You can still do what you have always done, walking, exercising, anything, but you would not need to worry about the heart unexpectedly slowing down. Pacemakers are not too difficult for the Doctors to implant, and the procedure usually doesn't take very long. Many people report immediately feeling better as soon as the Implanted Pacemaker is turned on.
Has this been suggested to you as an option?
Be well.
Absolutely!!! This is something I suffer. Basically your heart rate drops to an extremely low level (mine to as low as 11 beats per minute) and this drops your blood pressure. This results in too little oxygen to the brain and you lose conciousness and have a seizure due to that lack of oxygen. If your heart rate does not recover quickly this can be dangerous.
There are meds that stabilize your hear rate, though many of them are quite dangerous in their own right. One is called Norpace. It worked for me, but is considered a high risk drug. Another option is to have a pace maker put in. This is NOT because the heart is faulty or because you will drop dead of a heart attack. However, losing conciousness is dangerous in many situations as well. The pace maker kicks in when your HR drops below a certain level keeping you from passing out.
If you need or want more info let me know.