Rebekah's Journal

Rita Savelis  I had a pacemaker installed about 2 weeks after OHS (double valve replacement). In about 3% of cases the heart doesn't regain its electrical capacity especially when several valves in different parts of the heart are worked on. I had no idea this might happen and remember being quite upset when I had to have the pacemaker installed (although the surgery was easy, I didn't want any more!). Because I'm very skinny the pacemaker bulges out from my body. It really doesn't bother me at all and I don't feel it but I hate to look at it. On most patients who are not so skinny it shows up a lot less. I see the rythmologist about once a year but don't think about the pacemaker otherwise. I think the batteries last about 15 yrs or so and then have to be replaced.

Rebekah Schuster  Thank you! That was very helpful, I'm sorry you didn't have any warning! Since they are putting in a larger valve my doctor was very upfront with the possibility of a pace maker. It's nice to know it seems easy to live with.