Diagnosed .... to ICD Implant

Diagnosed .... to ICD Implant

I was already diagnosed with a weak heart and was in the hospital in March 2010 for my first episode of congestive heart failure (CHF). I was taking lasix, coreg, lisinopril, and aspirin. I had not had another episode of CHF since 2010 because I stayed on a low sodium diet, regulated my fluid intake, and watched my weight closely.

On 24 Sept 11 after waking up and doing some exercise I went into an electrical shock type seizure for a little while, but thought I recovered. I thought it was low blood sugar and felt better after eating some sweets. I was writing a report and pushed myself hard.

For the next month I had periodic dizzy spells when standing up, hot flushes in the head, and episodes of being short of breath. I did not fall, faint, or get sick. I continued on doing my report, but dizzy spells and flushes got more frequent. I thought it was due to the stress of a deadline on a big report. I noticed my pulse dropped from about 70 to about 52 but thought nothing about it. I took a sweet after each spell and felt better.

I went to my regular check-up at the CHF clinic appointment at 8 am on 27 Oct 11, where I was diagnosed as being in the final stages of third degree heart block, with a pulse then going down to about 25. I felt essentially ok and had driven myself to the clinic. I was described as asymptomatic.

My heart doctors put me into the hospital, awaiting a pacemaker/ICD operation. During the early hours of 28 October 2011 my heart stopped beating, my body temperature fell to 95.7 F, and I was moved to Surgical ICU. About 1 pm I went into surgery for a pacemaker/ICD implant. They could not get the third lead put in for the unit I wanted because my heart kept stopping on the operating table so they worked fast to put a lesser pacemaker in me to bring me back. My heart stopped several times on the 28th...... for at least 15 seconds one time.

For some people third degree heart block kills them on the spot without any warning. I had over a month's warning and still did not feel very bad. My good physical condition probably saved my life and sustained my body better than would have happened for most people. I suggest to others this is another good reason to exercise and stay physically fit.

Adrian R. Lawler,  (C) 2011 --

See the following website for more information:

　http://health.sjm.com/arrhythmia-answers/your-condition/causes-and-symptoms-and-your-diagnosis/slow-heartbeat.aspx