SIGNIFICANT ASYSTOLE FOR PACEMAKER

[kat97]

IM A 47 YEAR OLD FEMALE HX OF PASSING OUT EVERY 1-2 YEARS SINCE I WAS 11 MONTHS OLD. NEGATIVE TILT TABLE TEST, EP STUDY SHOWS SINUS NODE DYSFUNCTION  HAD IMPLANTED LOOP MONITOR IMPLANTED SEPT 2010 OF COURSE I HAVENT PASSED OF YET BUT IT HAS SHOWN ASYSTOLE OR FLANTLINING EPISODES 4X.  DR WANTS TO DO A PACEMAKER.  RESEARCH SHOWS SOME ASYSTOLE IN MOST PEOPLE IS OK.  HOW MANY SECONDS OF ASYSTOLE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A PM?  THE 1ST EPISODE WAS ABOUT 5 SECONDS WHEN I ASKED THE LAST TIMES HOW LONG THEY WERE I WAS TOLD "LONG"  I WAS FREAKED OUT SO I DIDNT ASK AGAIN.  BOYFRIEND WILL GO WITH ME NEXT TIME.  DONT WANT A PM UNLESS ABSOLUTLY NECESSARY.  WHEN THEY IMPLANTED LOOP MONITOR THEY GAVE ME MRSA SO IM PRONE TO GETTING IT AGAIN.  DR IGNORED MY SYMPTOMS FOR WEEKS BUT THATS A STORY IN ITSELF.  TRYING TO GET ADVICE ON A LFE CHANGING PROCEDURE ANY ADVICE WELCOME THANK YOU LEE

[grendslori]

Get the pacemaker. I don't know how "long" is in your case but one thing I can tell you is that oif the heart rates are in the low 30s range the heart can stop beating altogether. My daughter had Sick Sinus Syndrome and had to have a pacer implanted. You will find you feel much better. You should not be driving if you are having this problem; you could pass out and kill yourself or another family, and for what....not wanting to have a pacemaker?  

[MichelleP_3811]

This is just the members section so you may want to pose your question in the doctors section for more professional advice.  I really don't know what to tell you.  Your heart is stopping.  You have some sort of congenital defect that blocks the heart from getting an electrical signal.  I assume you have had your potassium checked?  You say you did not pass out from any of the more recent episodes even though you had a long pause?  A pacemaker is a big deal for sure but your heart stopping is also a big deal.  When it stops blood is not getting to your brain and oxygen depravation can lead to memory loss and loss of overall brain function.  How are you tolerating the pauses that aren't causing you to pass out?  You do have to keep in mind that if you pass out while driving you may injure yourself or others.  There are so many things to take into consideration I would do a pros and cons list for yourself to help you decide.  A pacemaker is a big deal but dieing is bigger in my opinion.  Take care, I hope whatever decision you decide to follow brings you peace.