Husband's job and pacemaker

[anxious in nj]

My 51 year old husband is going to see an electrophysiologist and I am wondering how it might affect his job if it turns out he needs a pacemaker. He is a software engineer, designing and testing the software that runs in the transmitters and receivers at the base stations of cell phone towers. (He doesn't actually work with actual cell phones for this - it is a component of the overall technology needed to establish a working cell tower). He works in an office, either at his desk or in a "lab" where they run test equipment such as oscilloscopes.

A month ago he experienced "sudden death" due to a cardiac arrest caused by some kind of arrhythmia. He was brought back to life only due to our very quick and able local police and EMTs. It was more horrifying than I can begin to describe. We all know how very, very lucky and blessed we are to have him back, and I am going to do everything possible to prevent such an event from happening again.

Through doctor approval, he is already back at work (after 10 days in the hospital and then resting at home for a week and a half). He loves his job and has worked for 30 years to get to the level he is at, and is very fortunate to work for a wonderful company with excellent people.

My husband's health is more important to me than anything else, including what he does for a living or whether he works at all - I could support us if need be. But I like to be ready for any change which may occur. He is very dependent on me in terms of organizing his medical care - we are currently transitioning away from the somewhat average medical professionals we were forced to deal with at the hospital, and I am getting him to the best doctors/specialists I can find (we have also embarked on strick diet/nutrition changes, etc.).

I know nothing about pacemakers - can anyone help me here?

[ksig]

I am a 60 yr old female with a pacer.  I have had it for 2 years now and have had NO adverse affects with it.  I have AFib and developed a bradycardia and hence the implant.  There is little maintenance for the pacer. I have it interrogated every 6 mo and I also have a home monitoring system that reports in once a day.  11 days ago I went through a fourth ablation, this time the AVJ ablation which consequently has made me totally dependent on the pacer.  I have great trust in the device as my life depends on it.

Good luck to you.
ksig

[anxious in nj]

Just to quickly update you - everything will be ok with his job. He had a dual-chamber  defibrillator implanted on Friday and is doing well. We are very, very thankful. Thank you for your advice.

[anxious in nj]

Sorry - didn't mean to get ahead of ourselves. We really should wait to speak with the electrophysiologist - his appointment is not until March 3.

We have a lot to learn - for instance, until now I never heard of an ICD (another device which it seems may be a problem for him in regard to work).

It is a miracle that he survived, with no brain damage, and I can not ask for more. I know I can create other possibilities for our lives. I have him here, nothing else really matters. But I know how deeply it would depress him if he could not do this work, which he loves so much, anymore.

It has been a very intense month and we have so much to learn. Thanks for any and all advice.

[Jerry_NJ]

How did you jump to a pacemaker diagnosis/conclusion?  

That may be the case, and if it is needed I'd not think it would affect his work.  If he gets a pacemaker there will be some restrictions on exposure to electromagnetic fields, but I'd not think the environment you described would be a problem.  

Of course, if needs a pacemaker, it is not an option, and would required that its operation be safeguarded ... but again my guess is it will not restrict him from working.

There are several people with pacemakers on the Community and perhaps one or more will respond.  In the meantime find out what has to be done and do it.