do i need a pacemaker

Question

hi im 17

i blacked out at work an got rushed in to hospital. then got called back in a few weeks later and got put on a 24hour moniter, the test results came back an the doc said my heart stopped 7 times through out the day longest time being 2 and a half seconds, also the lowest my heart rate dropped to was 26bpm which was at 4am. the doc put me on a 7day heart moniter an im still waiting on the results, but he said i may have to have a pacemaker put in. but the thing that got me worryed was that he asked if there was any sudden deaths in my family. so my question is do u think i need a pacemaker put in and is there a chance that i may not wake up one of these days if it gos any lower an how much lower does it have to go befor i really should be worrying???

This discussion is related to Do I really need a pacemaker?.

grendslori · Answer

A heart rate that drops in the 30's range is too low and can cause the heart to stop beating. It sounds like you may have something called Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS) for which you would need a pacemaker inserted. It will make you feel much better! How did your echo turn out?

mum2four · Answer

Just take it easy till you get all the results.....Rock climbing is proberly not taking it easy you dont want to put your heart under the wrong kind of stress or your self in a place where passing out can cause you more harm eg high places.

I'm just as worried about the time its taking to get the tests and then the result you;d think if it had to do with the heart they would do things a little faster but I supose there really trying to make sure that there not going to put people threw precedures they dont need eg, pacemaker surgery. 

Just take it easy.

RyanWay1992 · Answer

im having an echo on friday. but the results from my bp are taking ages it just feels like the longer i wait the more chance there is of something going wrong. and i want a pacemaker put in put my mind at rest but i have to wait for the doc to give the go go. thank you for talking with me i dont like to talk to my mum and dad about it think my mum is worryed enough with out knowing that im as worryed as i am so thank you.

mum2four · Answer

have you read about sudden death..........Because I'd be thankfull the Drs caught you heart condition......I'm currently going threw some simular issues my heart drops suddenly from  a high rate I'm concerned that it will drop as low as yours or lower and I' might die....I'm currently trying to prove it to my Dr I seem healthy medicly but when I'm walking I get this intence feeling on needing sit or I'll fall/pass out.since getting my pulse watch and my BP monitor I have been finding some strange event with my heart.

be greatfull they caught it. 

your heart only has to give up once for you to die you cant come back to life when it dose give up. A pacemaker will insure that wont happen and you can live your active life the way you like.

RyanWay1992 · Answer

iv never blacked out or anything like that befor i mean i have odd dizzie spells but thats about it, an i dont snore. but im not sure some friends i spoke to think because i played basketball for england for a few years and i was taking on alot of training an i done some aquathons so i was quite fit and they seem to think my heart muscle maybe to strong for my heart. i feel alright tho in myself an iv been trying to get back into everything like i went rockclimbing tonight for a few hours and i felt great after. im not feeling any effects well the odd chest pain now and again. idont know just want it over and done with lol.

Mom2four85 · Answer

definitely get a Pacemaker, it will help even out your heart rates and pace it when you need it; did they say why you blacked out? do you suffere dizziness or have you blacked out before?

also do you snore? this could be the reason for your bradycardia (a HR below 40 during sleep) - sleep apnea  since your 26 HR was at 4 am that leads me to think that's what it sounds like or contributes to your problem

Hopefully your 7 day monitor will yield more answers and give your drs a better understanding of what's going on with you

kay2486 · Answer

i would have a pacemaker fitted this is very low heart rate, doctors say anything below 40 needs treating, sudden death runs in families and if something is wrong with electricity in your heart it can lead to sudden death, why is your heart rate so low? dont want to sound scary but  id have one fitted you'll be fine after that

mum2four · Answer

I would let you Dr put the pacemaker in if thats what thay decide. 26 beats is prety low I thought 50 for me was low as I'm drop from tachy 150 to 50 with sudden low BP but my dr still has not figured out what going on with me yet I see the cardioligist on the 30th 9 days to go cant wait to have it over with.