She has trouble breathing, the doctors have not put her on oxygen, now they want to put in a pace maker. What are your thoughts on this?
2007-10-02 03:52:28 · 5 answers · asked by smoochy4me 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
I don't get it, with EF 25% , she can do well on diuretics, only if there is some pathology of AV node/ rhythms, should consider Pace maker, but the efficacy of myocardium is in question.
So discuss with your doctor.
2007-10-02 06:43:38 · answer #1 · answered by Dr.Qutub 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, like the previous people who have responded I am assuming the 25% figure refers to the "ejection fraction" or EF. That is not the same thing as the usage of her heart muscle. An EF is the percent of the blood in the left ventrical that is pushed out of the heart with each contraction. For a "normal" heart the EF is usually between 55% and 75%.
While 25% is not good, there are people walking around with much lower EF readings. The decision about putting in a pacemaker is, according to my cardiologist, based partially on the EF (more likely if the EF is under 30%) but also on any arrhythmia detected.
From what I understand the surgery to put in a pacemaker is not overly dangerous or uncomfortable.
As for putting her on oxygen, all I can suggest is you discuss it with her cardiologist.
I am not a medical professional. I had a heart attack earlier this year and will be evaluated for a pacemaker/defibrillator later this month.
2007-10-02 10:16:53 · answer #2 · answered by zman492 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If part of the heart muscle that was affected contained the natural pacemaker, you have to put an artificial one in or her heart will just stop. Whether you want to keep it from happening is another question. With only 25% cardiac efficiency, she's going to have a fairly rapid and uncomfortable decline, so in a way it would be a kindness to not put the pacemaker in. If she has the ability to respond, I'd ask her how she feels about it and follow her wishes.
2007-10-02 03:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by mommanuke 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The pacemaker will keep her heart in a good rhythm and they are smaller than they were 20 years ago. Not sure why they aren't putting her on oxygen if she has trouble breathing you may want to ask why.
2007-10-02 03:56:48 · answer #4 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if her heart is failing i think they should put a a pace maker only that in some places yuo can't go if you havae a pacemaker.
good luck
2007-10-02 03:59:39 · answer #5 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋