CHF

[pyg13]

What happens if one decdes nt to have a pacemaker?
pyg13

[vienna13]

I am glad my words helped some.
Take good care of each other! Happiness is one of the ingredients !:)
Vienna

[pyg13]

thanks for your words.
I think I will follow your advice as well as my wife and take care of myself as much as I
can and do not worry about the statics because it can really depressess me.
again, thanks for all your encouaging words and look forward to keep in touch.
pyg 13

[Momto3]

There is a big difference between a pacemaker and an ICD.  If your doctor has recommended an ICD, he/she has reason to believe you may be at risk for a serious arrythmia.  My dad has CHF and a very low EF and the doctor just recommended an ICD last Fall.  Prior to that he just had a pacemaker b/c his heart rate would drop too low.  The doctor explained that he may never need the ICD, that it is like an insurance policy == definitely want one if you ever need it.  He explained that my dad is a greater risk of a serious arrythmia (sudden death) b/c of the CHF and low EF and that new guidelines suggest an ICD.

[vienna13]

even physically...:)

[vienna13]

Do not worry! Of course there are statistics, but they are kind of  ‘lies’ after all, they can get statistic about everything and have the totally opposite outcome depending what they want to proof.
We all learn that with age and with a little common sense, but sure we still have a naive side of us and believe we "need" ICD. Or other devices   based on statistics that was made with the agenda to get people to believe they need it, good for the business, and it is a big business.  

  It was stated in many studies that the 30%gets better 30%stays the same, 30%will go down. also the 5 years 10 years and less or more survivor time. That used to freak me out for a while, then I read hundreds of pages on the subject and realized all up to us, on our body our immune system, delicate nature also  how much we able to and willing to eat,to know, to learn what is right, live fiscally and mentally right. or at least near the Right.

I was told by a nurse, one might say she was unprofessional, but she just said what she was thinking from her own experience: "you will live at least 15 more years "..Now it was in the ICU unit, I had blood clots and she was giving me the blood thinner shots...when she said that....I thought: "stupid what do you know?” also I thought sure she thought much less, but wanted me to feel better...but what did I know? ..Nothing. I could of die then and there 4 years ago, it was serious. Today I feel great. Do I have more then 11 years? I think I DO, like 15....but if not or if more I don't really care. Best I can do just make a most of it. Worrying can accomplish anything.

Best wishes for cooping with it for you!

Vienna

[pyg13]

I'm talking ICD not pacemaker, my heart rythm is normal, sofar.I'm not having any other
complications right now, of course other than coronary obstruction, and I understand the
severety of this, but right now I'm feeling fine with very mild symptoms of HF.
I have so many hesitations about any other surgery!!!
I appreciated any comments, to help me sort this our.
Thanks.
pyg13

[ireneo]

You're talking pacemaker here, not ICD, right? My docs mentioned pacemaker a couple of times but I wasn't interested. Had 3 ablations, still have some arrhythmias, still not interested. But if I needed an ICD, I would get that. If there was a chance that I would go into v-tach or v-fib then I would get the ICD. OK, if my heart was so slow that I was passing out, then I would get a pacemaker. I have my personal limits.

[Orangechicken]

If the doctor suggests it please get it.
my father hesitated . . . . . . .  

[pyg13]

thanks for you help.  Does CHF always gets worse over time?
Rigth now I have very mild dymptoms and other than the heart problem I have no other
health issue.
my understnading is that this condition does not get beter , but that with time it continues to
worsen. Is this right?
Thanks

[vienna13]

You are welcome! I understand you not wanting the pacemaker, I would feel the same as you do. Best thing you can do is a total new attitude of life; it changed my life for better. Hope you could get the link or it content I posted, in the second page now.
You asked how to see your posts. If you think that feature:  you can see  all your post ever posted in one place, this board doesn’t have that as I know.
You only can read your old posts if you go back page by page.

[anacyde]

With CHF and coronary artery disease, you are at a double risk for arrythmia.  I understand not wanting a surgical procedure, but this is an extremely important one.  Even if you have never experienced an arrythmia, you are at high risk for one.  I hope all goes well for you.

[pyg13]

thanks for all your support, vienna. The complications that I have are coronary arteries are blocked
and the Drs. were not able to performed any procedure due to the extent of the blockage.
Still, I do not want to have a pacemaker now.
pyg13

[vienna13]

Well… I am a living proof that one can be just fine without it. I went from # IV( end stage)(20% EF to 35%45%60% normal. I had all sort of arrhythmias even thons of  PVC’s..:):)..That so many people “suffering” here. I was connected for two weeks two the monitor in the hospital…. .I can’t even feel the PVC’’s never did…(only I felt the tachycardia)… and I believe they wont feel it as sooooooo "awful if they just would ignore them ....anyway...we are just all different….Yes, it was a recommendation at my local hospital, but more like a question if I might need  the pacemaker? At the Ottawa Heart Institute, after my first and only CAT ..they didn’t give it ,"thank GOD"!!:) My arteries were clean and they just gave my body the chance to go up from # IV.  As it did by itself soon....I was never a smoker or a drinker, but a very stressed out 53 years old women. I kept an OK diet and exercised, most in my life..I would say 70-90% right.....soon after DX, I went back to do it all(walking, running, aerobic, yoga…but had to build up all very slowly…just let the body to” tell” how much can be tolerated without tears… ..and I was even more RIGHT even more careful with all food , most: the 1600 mg sodium /day, no chemical, no preservatives, eat and drink natural..I feel better at age soon to be 57 as I did around 50-53.......
I am very glad I don't have a pacemaker.........
I am on beta blocker ,100 mg Altace 20 mg  and lasix only 20 mg

You think twice, we are all different , and had different life before DX…many might need it ,but many don’t.
In Canada it is free, so no one would get it unnecessarily as they give it unnecessarily in many cases in USA….I read an article on it from DR s so it is not only my 2 cents.:)

Good luck with your decision.

[pyg13]

Thanks for your comments.ai will consider all the facts, but right noew I very apprehensive about
having anyother surgical procedure.I have not been told my Cardio. that I have arrhythmias, other
than someone with CHF can develop them,
EP study is  this " an electrophysiology study "  I had one done when the heart attack happen to
determine how much of my heart was still "alive" or "dormant".
pgy13

[anacyde]

An implantable ICD is typically recommended when people with CHF have an EF in the range yours is.  It's basically your insurance policy, keeping you alive and/or preventing fatal or potentially fatal arrythmias.  If and ICD/pacemaker has been recommended - regardless of how good you feel - I would do it.  Some people also experience an improvement in EF after receiving a pacemaker.

Best wishes for improvement in your health.

[pyg13]

I have been diganosed with CHF with EF of 25%. But I do not have shortness of breath and my Class
at this time according to my Dr. Is Class!!.  I have limitations on what I can do but other thna the
disgnosed I feel fine.
pyg13
thanks

[FLBrat]

I believe Vienna had CHF and was told she needed a pacemaker.  She declined and is walking the walk and talking the talk just like the rest of us.

[Jack54]

It depends on what is wrong with your "natural pacemaker". What have you been diagnosed with, as far as arrhythmias and what is causing them. Have you had an EP study done?