Pace Maker And Fibrillation

[MallyJ]

I am due to have a pace maker fitted tomorrow and so far have not been able to talk to a doctor to ask questions. I am sure that I will be able to tomorrow but in the meantime I thought I could learn a lot from people here which will inform me before meeting the cardiac doctor.
I have atrial fibrillation ... the episodes can be from 15 minutes to 30 + hours. How can a pacemaker be effective in regulating a heart beat when my heart decides regularly to dance to it's own tune? I had an ablation about 4 years ago but that stopped having any effect after about 2 years . It all seems a bit odd to me.

[Smowball]

I have no idea, so no help at all, but I really really wish you the best and hope it all goes well x

[Sqad]

The pacemaker is just that, it regulates the rate of your heart, but is not a cure.
Many patients with AF have a slow pulse between attacks of AF and a pacemaker will speed it up.
A slow pulse is almost as undesirable as a fast pulse particular when on drugs e.g beta blocker.
So, a pacemaker can slow a fast heart rate and quicken a slow heart rate.
Your pacemaker should last between 5-10 years and cannot be recharged but has to be replaced.
Simple, painless operation done by freezing the area just below the collarbone.
One night hospital stay only.

[diddlydo]

My OH had a pacemaker fitted 2 weeks ago as day surgery. He was only at the hospital for 8 hours.

[MallyJ]

Smowball...thank you for your good wishes ...much appeciated. Squad...thank you...I now understand that the pacemaker will have an effect on the AF hours which I didn't before and I had thought they would be fighting each other...phew a bit of a relief there!
Diddlydo yes..confirmation..I have been told to take nightwear but have also been assured that I will be gone in 6 hours....fingers crossed!

[choux]

Mally, I have just seen this and want to wish you well for tomorrow. I hope you get some rest tonight and that all goes smoothly for you. It will be such a relief when you are back home again. Thank goodness for Sqad eh? :)

[ludwigvan]

There are several different types of pacemaker Mally, check out the BHF website.

[MallyJ]

Choux...thank you for your good wishes....much appreciated. Ludwigvan.....will look them up but may get confused!!

[Patsy33]

Try not to worry too much, Mally. You'll be home and feeling much better before you know it! :-)

[choux]

Mally, I have been wondering how you got on with your op. Hope you managed to get all the info you were missing from the doctor. Best wishes, choux.

[barry1010]

Good luck, Mally