Pacemaker Defibrilator Constantly going off

[Pauljis1]

Ok, this is my first post so I will try to include all the relevant information I can think of but I believe I will miss somethings.

My father suffered a heart attack 16 years ago. He received a triple bypass and since then has received multiple angioplasties and stints implanted. He was good where he could do normal day to day activities, driving, work etc. About 4 years ago he got a herniated disk which made walking difficult. We would still do it as well as the everyday things but not with as much ease as before. A year or so later he lost his job and thats when it really started to go downhill. Him losing his job caused him to just stay home all day which lead to a drastic decrease in activity which lead to his already weak heart getting weaker. My father takes a laundry list of medications used to treat his heart issues, his diabetes and the other typical meds that someone in his condition would take.

Here is one big problem, his primary care physician is also his cardiologist, conflict of interests in my opinian. Anyway I went with him to his cardiologist and he sent my father to the hospital because he has congestive heart failure and he was retaining a lot of water. He weighed in at about 250 (He's 5'8") and weighed about 225 when he got out. This happened twice but he was still able to have a normal life. The doctor advised us that my father should get a dual chamber pacemaker with defibrilator implanted. We did very little research and didn't get a second opinion but he went though with the surgery. He was fine for a month or so until he went away and while away visited a doctor for his leg/back problems. The doctor precribed something which I am not sure exactly what it was but that cuased discomfort his whole trip.

Ok he's now back in the country and fine fr a couple of months until he colapsed one day, that happened anothe time or two until one day he didn't collapse but instead felt his body jolt. Basically his defibrillator went off. Its gone off in some case 7 times in one day and it is going off because his heart is beating at over 200 beats per minute. He doesn't feel it happening until he gets the shock. He does however know that he is about to get shocked. He was hospitalized on Thanksgiving because he was getting them and another medicince was prescribed for the pacing. He is still getting his shocks though. I decided to ask his doctor for a referal and we were sent to the doctor who implanted the device. He was able to see us and did a comprehensive eam of the device. He confirmed that my fathers heart starts beating at over 200 beats per minute and then the defibrilator gives his heart a shock.

Here comes my question. I know my father has a bad heart with scaring from the heart attack. The thing is that nothing other than the decrease in physical activity has really happend so why is his heart now going off the scale. He never really had issues with an irregular or at least not a hyper active heart rate like he is getting now. Could the pacemaker be causing a Endless loop tachycardia? Is there anything I can do to help like get him any helpful vitamins? I encorage exercise with a bike that he can use while sitting either with his hands or his feet. It appears that the shocks generally occur when he is just sitting or laying down. Right now my father is affraid to do anything other than just sit in the recliner because he doesnt want to get shocked and fall. Please give my any advice, suggestions, request for more info. Anything would be greatly appreciated.

[Pauljis1]

Hey Jerry, I happen to be in Jersey as well. North Jersey to be more precise. Yes I did say my father has congestive heart failure. He kept having problems with retaining to much water in his body but that part at least seems to be in control thanks to a combo of water pills. I am not sure of the heart being enlarged but I am told that my father has a lot of scaring on the inside of his heart due to a heart attack he suffered many years ago. We also did go to his regular cardiologist and he told us that my father has arteries going to his heart that are completely clogged. We were never aware of this but this might be back 16 years when he received his bypass. I asked him if he could get another bypass and the doctor said no because it would probably just scar up.

More recently my father's pacemaker has not been going off which is a good sign but he's to afraid to do anything so Christmas is going to consist of him just staying in his recliner at home with my mother. We will be seeing a cardiologist that specializes in critical cases to see what he suggests because it appears that a heart transplant may be whats needed.

Another member on here lead me to the ICD support group website which I checked out. I found a few posts about some cases similar to my dad's and I translated them and printed them out for him.

Thanks and have a happy holiday.

[Jerry_NJ]

I was just checking to see what has not be responded to and see your post from Dec 19.

You provide a detailed history, perhaps enough to "overload" most readers...me included.

You did mention congestive heart failure, correct?  I think that usually includes, or may included an enlarged heart, which can in itself cause heart electrical problems.

I don't recall you mentioning there ever being an echocardiogram taken.  This test will measure the structure of the heat and give details on size of all chambers, and wall thickness,and valve operation.  This information may be helpful.  Sorry if I overlooked anything in reading you post.

Best wishes during this Christmas period when many may not be reading posts as much as other times.