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From the Winter 2003 Issue
Patients Talk
Living With a Pacemaker
Joe 
Christine |
Not every patient with a pacemaker has the same experience. And if you have a pacemaker, there may be things you do to ensure your cardiac health. To help pacemaker patients learn from each other’s experience, LifeBeat Online has asked two patients – Joe Blevins, a 64-year-old retired plant manager from Oklahoma, and Christine Griffin, a 47-year-old teacher from Illinois – to share their stories. Both Joe and Christine have the PULSAR™ MAX II pacemaker from Guidant. Here’s what they had to say: |
Is there a routine you use to monitor your heartbeat?
Joe Blevins (JB): No, not really. This device does its own monitoring. I’m only required to touch base with a doctor and do a regular telephone check about twice a year.
Christine Griffin (CG): Not at all. I’m supposed to go in every 3 to 6 months. I call it my “battery check” since it keeps my heart going.
What precautions do you take to protect your pacemaker?
JB: I have three 4-year-old grandsons and a 2-year-old granddaughter. I really just protect against them bumping me. Before this I couldn’t be part of their life. Now, it’s so much fun.
CG: I know that I cannot take a blow to the chest. For the most part I don’t take precautions. I wear a medical tag at all times and I carry my identification cards in my billfold. I don’t even give it a second thought. It’s like I don’t have a pacemaker anymore because I can’t feel it.
Are there any physical activities you can do now that you couldn’t do before you got your pacemaker?
JB: I was doing nothing before. Driving was impossible. My quality of life was a 1 or 2 on a scale of 10. Now it’s an 8. I may have to do some things slower, but I can do them. I can do light yard work, take my grandsons fishing, and go for walks with my wife. I also enjoy cooking outside.
CG: I’m a walker. I can jog. I like to work in the yard. We have an old car so we go to car shows. I am on the go all the time. I feel like I did before any of my problems.
Have you changed your diet to improve your heart health?
JB: I’ve reduced my carbohydrate intake. I limit fats and breads and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
CG: No. I have low blood pressure and great cholesterol. I’m not overweight and I’m active.
What steps do you take when preparing to travel?
JB: Nothing special. I just need to remind the security people that I have a pacemaker. I always have “the warden” with me – my wife – so I can’t forget. If I start to ignore any plans, she reminds me.
CG: Nothing. I always have my necklace on. I don’t worry about it at all. At courthouses and airports, I just tell them.
What is the best benefit of having a pacemaker?
JB: The quality of life that I now enjoy. I was leading a sedentary existence. The pacemaker has given me a new lease on life.
CG: You can’t imagine what a relief it is. It’s wonderful. I feel like I have as normal a heart as anyone else. I’m so grateful. It’s like total relief.