Why wait so long for a pacemaker?
344588
Okay, ignore the answer above. \n\nPacemakers do not for the most part slow the heart down, but do pick up a slow heart rate.  In order to treat atrial fibrillation then your cardiologist would have to ablate (distroy) the normal pathways for electricity to flow from the top of your heart (where the afib is) to the bottom of your heart (where you heart beats and pushes blood through your body).  Once this is done then the pacemaker is implanted and you become pacemaker dependent.  If the pacemaker fails, you are in grave shape.  \n\nPacemakers typically have about an 8 year battery life, though some shorter, some longer.  Therefore when the battery goes you will need a pack change - essentially opening the pocket and replacing the entire unit - requiring multiple follow up surgeries every so often.\n\nThe initial procedure for implanting a pacemaker carries some risk but is generally safe.\n\nIt goes back to the precept that physicians do not want to perform procedures unless it is clearly indicated.  Things go wrong, infections happen - not frequently, but they do - and no doctor wants to be behind making a situation worse for a patient.  It almost always pays to procede conservatively and try all that is available before cutting.  And installing a device is not cut-and-dried like installing a part in a machine.  There may be some reason it does not work the first time in your case and that requires you to need additional procedures.  \n\nTherefore, implanting a pacemaker for atrial fibrillation is a last resort.  Discuss your concerns with your cardiologist and have him lay out a plan to improve the symptoms you are having with your afib.
859496
You have to see a specialist called Endocrinologist. It sounds like you have underactive thyroid glands, causing you to gain wait. Prescription medication easily can help that problem. I've had my glands removed years ago and I'm still kicking.
1086444
Working for a pacemaker company, we have videos available for educational purposes.  You cannot buy these in stores, but your local representatives can easily get them for you.  Contact them by calling their 1-800 numbers-\n         Medtronic-1-800-medtronic\n         Guidant-1-800-cardiac\n         St. Jude Medical-look them up online, I don't know their #.\nAsk the operator for the rep in your city.  Good luck!
811377
Chronic Rerun Syndrome?\n\nI'm with ya...Unfortunately, it appears we have to wait until January.
701019
you hit the nail on the head, each case is different. A small aneurysm can be done and out of the hospital the next day. Some people never recover from a larger one. My take on it is that it can't be too big, if they are waiting a whole month
995755
Usually about 12 hours.  I assume you are talking about the operation itself, and not how long it takes to "get a heart."
180449
Well non-specific changes in one lead do not mean much in themselves.  In the setting of chest pain, they become a bit more worrisome.  Take comfort in the fact that you are in a facility where they will take care of you.  Many people come to this forum with no insurance...they have no benefit of "waiting for doctors to run tests on them;"  all they get is this forum (sad).  Even if you have blockages, the treatments now days are excellent.  So, wait for the tests and good luck!!
1102835
Nope.  There is no time like the present, so why waist it waiting.
207509
Both defibrillators are good products, but the hospital where I work uses mostly Medtronic equipment.  Tends to be more reliable and have more company reps in the area for faster repairs.  But don't make your decision on which is better, you should definately be more worried about how easy will it be for one of the company reps to come and make adjustments to your defibrillator if needed.  Some companies you have to wait two weeks unless it's an emergency to get someone to come out and repair their equipment
458027
without a pacemaker, such as an intermittent, the heart will continue to go into constant dysrythmia or atrial, ventricular, or sinus fibrillation. this makes it to where the hearts effectiveness(cardiac output) is decreased to nearly if not full asystole(without constriction) and blood will not flow through the body providing oxygen to all the tissues, including "the brain" and you will die due to ischemia- lack of oxygen. the pacemaker "paces" the heart keeping it under control like a kid on Ritalin
713878
Many people say that it's better to walk longer while increasing your pace overtime because the cardio effect will be greater when you eventually add it all up. However, it's also good to do it like you're circuit training: walk, run, walk, run, walk...
897469
Why didn't you ask your doctor about this--that is what he/she is there for?  (Sorry to answer your question with one, but come on).
157920
Some faulty pacemakers have been recalled.  Two kinds of faulty are composed of irritating materials (seldom nowadays) or faulty with regard to electronic function.\n\nThe closest to "rejection" would be composed of irritating materials, a possible cause of inflamation at the implant site.\n\nHowever, this is completely unlike REJECTION in the case of a transplant.  A transplant is composed of living tissues, which must be matched as well as possible to the recipient.\n\nA perfect match is not always possible, but the chance to save or extend life is possible using drugs that inhibit rejection.  One such medicine is Prednisone, also used for other maladies when it becomes necessary to 'tone down' the immune system.\n\nThat kind of rejection does not happen with artificial implants.\n\nWhether one needs a Pacemaker or not is a matter of medical judgment calling for great expertise, usually an experienced cardiologist.  A 'second opinion' from a different doctor/hospital is worth exploring.  The cheapest way is by consult, where the second doctor reviews the existing records and findings.\n\nThis determination should not come from the surgeon.  However, the surgeon (usually thoracic and cardiopulmonary) is best qualified for implanting a pacemaker.\n\nThere is a need for continuing follow-up by the cardiologist.  Many people have pacemakers.  They need to be careful by avoiding close proximity to microwave ovens and there are other precautions and knowledge which every new recipient must learn, and hopefully the spouse or co-resident.\n\nPacemakers have been making great strides in size and reliability in parallel with developments in electronics and biosafe materials.\n\nPeople with severe allergy problems can be tested ahead of time to see if there will be a problem.\n\nAs far as I know, there is no satisfactory alternative to a pacemaker if you really need one.  It can be a real lifesaver.\n\nThe only long term development which may change this outlook is when medical science discovers better how to "rejuvenate" cardiac nerves and tissues, possibly with stem cells.  And even as we speak there is work being done in this area.\n\nBut a substitute for the pacemaker using these more natural methods is not at hand currently.
1002487
I would be off to see your healthcare professional as this sound like it could be serious. Possibly blood pressure or blood sugar issues, nervous system issues, either way a test or two needs doing for confirmation and to begin treatment. Be prompt about this delays can lead to complications arising that nedd not have.\n\nBest of luck and I hope this helps.\n\nCraig - Naturopath.
324898
I do not have any personal experience as far as one of my children or family members with SVT, but I perform EKGs everyday on everyone at my hospital including babies.  Typically rhythm problems are sporadic to say the least.  The general belief is that when a child has a rhythm problem it will subside later in development and medication should cease the episodes at an early age.  You should expect to see more episodes and lots of other medication.  Typically when a patient has rhythm abnormalities, initial medication fixes the problem but for some reason you see a recurrence of the abnormal rhythm and is fixed again with another medication.  Strangest thing...happens all the time.  Don't know why, and quite honestly I don't think many doctors know why.  Typically it's a problem you learn to monitor and deal with as an episode occurs.  Just give it time though, he may grow out of it when everything begins to develop along further.  Sorry I couldn't be more help
483070
It is hard to understand an EKG (a series of lines sent by the electrisity in the heart) unless you are trained. The doctor explained it and you are verry lucky to be getting in to see a cardiologist in a week (it can take a month depending on where you live) The cardiologist will probably do another one and can explain it more, you would need to go through a lot of training or see a doctor to get another explaination or information.
528046
Because there is a really long line ahead of you.  Just have a seat and be patient.  You'll be picked up soon enough.