Can I get some information about pacemakers and the procedure?
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Person's Age: 54 Already Tried: Dr is going to perform Heart Cath soon. May want to place pacemaker.
Do you mean your cardiologist may want to place a temporary pacemaker for during the heart cath, or a permanent pacemaker unrelated to the heart cath? Or something else?
I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear. I have on occasion very high blood pressure plus bradycardia which my BP meds tends to slow even more. Some of the meds have been discontinued due to that fact. He said that if we place a pacemaker than I could go back on my BP meds. Or at least that is what I understood (I wasn't well the day I was in his office). The heart cath is a repeat of one over a year ago to see if buildup has increased. At that time it was only mild.
In cases like yours, where essential medicines cause excessive slowing of the heart rate, a pacemaker can permit such medicines to be given. In my experience, however, it would be unusual not to be able to find suitable alternative blood pressure meds that do not cause heart rate slowing, avoiding the need for the device. But in any case, you can find a lot of good information about pacemakers at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacemaker/MY00276/
You didn't ask, but doing a heart cath to see if buildup has increased is appropriate only if you are having symptoms (such as chest discomfort) that are suspected to be due to the buildup. The reason for this is that even if a large buildup was found, unless it was causing symptoms, the only appropriate treatment would be medicines, which you should be taking anyway. It's never been shown that angioplasty or stenting in asymptomatic patients prevents heart attacks or makes them live longer. If your cath is truly just to "take a look," be sure to ask your cardiologist what s/he will do with that information--ie, how will it be used to manage your care.
Let me know if you have any more questions at all.
I do have chest pain at least twice a month that requires at least two sprays of nitrolingual spray. I have pain more often that resolves on its own. The pain can either start in my chest along my bra line and move up to one or both jaws or it can start in my jaw and move down. I have tried many, many different medications for my blood pressure. I am currently taking Trianterene/HCTZ 37.5/25mg once a day, Losartan 50mg (recently reduced from 100 mg) once a day, Guanfacine(Tenex) 1mg daily,Lisinopril 60mg daily and one baby aspirin daily. The following have been DC in the past two weeks: Coreg 6.25 mg BID, Amlodipine 2.5mg BID. On the 21 of June my Amlodipine was increased from 2.5 daily to the BID. On the 22 I spent the night in the hospital due to chest pain and when I was discharged on the 23 it was DC along with the Coreg.I am diabetic and take Metformin. I have chronic pain for which I wear a 50mcg duragesic patch and take Laratab 10/500 q 8hrs PRN. With my perscription routine and my OTC routine, I take around fourteen medications a day.
Of the meds you list, only Coreg is likely to be slowing your heart. Losartan and lisinopril are not usually given together, since they tend to work on BP in somewhat similar ways--not a problem, but it does increase the number of pills you are taking. If your chest pains are thought to be from blockages in your coronary arteries (coronary artery disease, CAD), then a heart cath is certainly an appropriate next step. Have you had a stress test to confirm this? You don't mention a statin (such as Lipitor, Zocor or Crestor (and many others), to slow or prevent buildup in the coronary arteries. Almost everyone with CAD should be on one, especially if they have diabetes.
Is the nitro spray effective in relieving your chest pains?
Yes, the nitro does relieve my pain. I take Pravastatin 40mg. I had treadmill stress test in November of last year.
Did you take a look at the link I posted earlier?: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacemaker/MY00276/
It provides general information about pacemakers and the operation to implant them. If you look that over you will probably have some specific questions related to your situation that I can help you with.
Ok, I will take a look at that link. If I don't come back with any more questions, I will come back and rate your answer, Thank You
And you can come back any time with more questions about these issues at no additional charge.