80 year old & pacemaker implant?

[Alex1968]

Hello there,
First, please forgive me for my ignorance on medical terms.  My dad is 80 years old and has been experiencing dizziness a few times a day for the past 2 years.  He has been taking medication for his heart and blood pressure.  Sometimes during the day, his heart beats about 3-4 seconds apart slower than usual.  Because of the dizzy spells, he recently had coronary angiogram, angioplasty and stenting procedures done at a private hospital.  The doctor diagnosed him with atrial fibrillation and recommended he should implant a pacemaker for his irregular heart beat which may be the cause for his dizziness.  I know from researching on-line that this is a relatively quick and simple procedure with minimal risks.  Both my dad and I are nervous about the procedure.  I am hoping I can receive some positive reassurances that this is the right thing for him to do to improve his quality of life.  My dad is stubborn and thinks he does not have too long to live so why bother with the procedure.
Many thanks,
Alex

[cindy707]

I just wanted to say that i loved your post!!!!  Thanks ..........................

[Gellia]

Tell him to go for it!  I got my first pacemaker in 1975 when I was 26 years old and am still going strong!  Didn't miss a thing in life either.

Tell your Dad he can be anything he wants to be.  A pacemaker will never stop him from doing a thing.  

Best to you,
Gellia

[cindy707]

He sounds like my dad used to.............i agree totally with Darlingoria...it could possibly add years and years to his life and make him alot more comfortable and i know if it was my pop i would want to keep him around for as long as i could no matter the circumstances because once we are gone thats it...there's no coming back and its final and a huge void is left in our lives when we lose our parents....mine are both gone now and being in my mid 50's i still feel like an orphan and they've been gone over 10 years now....my heart breaks a little each holiday and birthday without them and memories flood back like crazy...it is his choice of life ultimately .....................................

[Darlingorla]

I have a co-worker whose mother owes her life to a pacemaker.  She is in her 80's and had bradycardia (slow heartbeat).  It sounds like it could help your dad and as you say, it is a simple procedure and should give him good QOL.  He is still young at 80 - who knows - he could easily make it to 100 if he gets the right assistance for his heart.  He sounds quite depressed which is understandable.