can sick sinus syndrome of the heart get worse even when the person has a pacemaker?

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What is called "sick sinus syndrome" is when the natural pacemaker in the heart isn't sending impulses in a timely manner to keep the beats regular. The symptoms progress over time until finally the person requires an artificial battery operated pacemaker implant to regulate the heartbeat within normal range. After reading numerous articles on Google about this problem, nowhere could I find anything that explained the outcome of the sick sinus syndrome after a pacemaker was implanted after some time goes by. If the pacemaker is regulating the heart rate, how could the problem still get worse, if it does? The person I am referring to is a 71 year old man who has no other major problems and doesn't have a weak heart muscle, just the problem with the electrical impulses. .
Also I was wondering if others who have had a pacemaker implanted, have had pain in their left shoulder or under the left shoulder blade and have you found the cause of it? Thank you for all comments.
The rhythm problem should be all better with the pacemaker.

The left shoulder problem is probably muscle related due to the arm being somewhat immobilized for a few days. Try a deep tissue massage and ask if the therapist found a lot of tight muscles in the area.

If the massage does not help at all, ask the cardiologist to evaluate the pacemaker site. I can;t imagine the pacemaker is causing the shoulder pain because it is so small, but anything is possible.

Is the patient having hiccups constantly ? If so, call the doctor as soon as possible.  (+ info)

ECG : How would the electrical axis of the heart change during branch bundle (left and right) block?

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What factors affect the orientation of the mean electrical axis of the heart?

How would the electrical axis of the heart change during branch bundle (left and right) block?

Explain the physiological reason(s) for any differences in the mean electrical axis under the following conditions.
a. lying down versus sitting up.
b. inspiration versus expiration.
LEFT BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK..electrical axis moves to the left because the current stays longer in the left ventricle as it is trudging slowly cell by cell to depolarize the left ventricle
RIGHT BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK.. electrical axis moves to the right for the same reason. you get an extra R wave called R prime with this kinda block. your qrs will be RsR'  (+ info)

Does a sore left arm have anything to do with the heart?

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My left arm just turned sore and I was wondering if it was because I have been playing a lot of tennis the past two days (I play with my right hand and my right hand is a lot bigger than my left). I'm wondering if it has anything to do with my heart.
From the American Heart Association:

Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs


Act in Time
The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new "Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms. Find the links here.



Dial 9-1-1 Fast
Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies — every second counts. If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay — get help right away!


Statistics
Coronary heart disease is America's No. 1 killer. Stroke is No. 3 and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.



Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.

If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.

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Stroke Warning Signs
The American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:


Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.  (+ info)

I recently had an ECG and the GP said that the electrical impulse going to the left side of my heart is weaker?

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I recently had an ECG and the GP said that the electrical impulse going to the left side of my heart is weaker than the right side. This has never been picked up on an ECG before. This was my 3rd ECG in 10 years. He did not explain much to me but said he wanted to do another one next week? What does this mean? My Blood pressure was 50/100 and I am 31 years old.
Number 1: Your BP was 100/50 - not 50/100... Still kinda low for a 31 male.

Why so many EKGs? What are your symtoms? Did he give it a specific name?

Pin him down and ask specific questions? If you have had 3 EKGs - why have you not seen a cardiologist? That is where you will get answers.

Go see a HEART DOC!   (+ info)

Has anyone had pain from pacer wires left in after open heart surgery?

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I get sharp pains below my rib cage where the end of the wire must be. What did your surgeon do about it? Mine wants to pull it off my heart now, but I'm afraid of hurting my heart. They were attached too firmly to my heart after surgery, so they left them in. I would think it would be attached firmer now after 4 months. Has anyone had this problem?
  (+ info)

What does it mean if u have a Parenchymal infiltrates at your left upper lung? And your heart is not enlarge?

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I am 22 years old. Under physical examination and my result of my radiographic/ ultrasound report was parenchymal infiltrates at my upper left lung and my heart is not enlarge. The rest of the visualized chest structures are unremarkable. Im so botherd by this findings. Im not familiar of this so any help will be acceptable and thank you regarding this matter..
Parenchymal infiltrate is a vague statement, it means a change within soft part of the lung (so not in bronchi or lymph nodes).

Diffuse infiltrate:
- bacterial (heavy breathing, high fever)) or atypical pneumonia (coughing, slight fever, feeling sick)
- Black lung disease - coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), silicosis, asbestosis...

Localized infiltrate:
- tuberculosis (slight fever, night sweats, coughing)
- sarcoidosis
- lung cancer (often without symptom, coughing (blood))

Only radiologist or pneumologist can interpret x-ray images of lung, together with results of other investigations, your symptoms and signs. If you can't resist, you can check many x-ray images in below link  (+ info)

electrocuting pain shooting from my heart to my left arm, is it normal?

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When I get really sad, I feel like an electricuting pain shooting from my heart to my left arm and it concentrates on my fingertips. It only hurts for a few seconds. It happens to me all the time when I feel down, I've asked people and no one seems to have that. Do any of you guys ever feel the same thing? Is it normal? I'm pretty sure it's not a heart attack, I'm only 16 years old. My family also doesn't have a history of heart conditions.
I get that in my jaw and right arm from elbow to wrist. I only get it when I am very upset, I used to get it more often when I was younger (teens) but it has decreased significantly since I got older. Talk to your doctor about it anyway just in case it's something you injured, it might just be a reaction to stress etc. which is what mine is.  (+ info)

Is it my heart that hurts if its on my left side of the chest?

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I sometimes get pain in the left side of my chest but if the heart is located somewere in the middle what's my problem? It worries me because I don't feel like getting a heart attack or anything so is it serious?
Although the body of the heart may be located in the center of the chest the main pumping chamber - the left ventricle - is located to the left of the sternum. Having said this there are many causes of chest pain that have nothing to do with the heart. I do not think that it would be helpful to list a dozen potential problems as this will most likely lead to confusion and anxiety. This forum has far too many limitations for someone you diagnose you. If this is a concern it must be brought to the attention of your physician. I wish you the very best of health and in all things may God bless.  (+ info)

why do I have bad pains in my heart, ribs and shoulder on the left hand side?

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I haven't been feeling very well for months, but lately it's become really bad. I suffer with really bad pains in my heart, my ribs and my shoulder on the left hand side. I have discovered broken blood vessels on my skin where my heart is situated. If anyone has any idea what might be wrong with me, please answer this question.
Sounds like a heart attack! Take a bayer and go to a doctor!  (+ info)

I have been having heart fluttering and a numb left arm?

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I am only 21 years old. I have been having these symptoms for the last few weeks. And it is starting to scare me! My heart will flutter when I lay down, around the same time. My whole left arm will feel numb like a dead arm, kind of heavy. I feel real weak. Like I am going to die. Please someone can you tell me what this is. I thought is was anxiety but i am just relaxing when it happens. Not thinking of anything. Has anyone ever went through this.
If you're in the UK call NHS Direct 08454647 if not try and get to call an emergency doctor even though its been going on for a few weeks but definitely see a doctor in the morning. I know you say you're relaxed but it could still be anxiety, I can have panic attacks when I'm completely as ease or having a great time, they're just random. In the mean time try doing some deep breathing, maybe in a paper bag if you have one and focus completely on something else.
Hope this helps and good luck x  (+ info)

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