Question 1

i'm just wondering, if you have a cardiac pacemaker, can you have a heart attack or go into cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Pacemaker does not protect against heart attack or cardiac arrest.

Question 2

if you have a pacemaker, can you still have a heart attack / cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Yes: pacemaker helps to control or regulate the rhythm (electricity) of the heart. Heart attack is related to blockages of the arteries of the heart (plumbing, if you want the analogy). Pacemaker will prevent the heart beating too slow but will NOT prevent blockages from developing or producing heart attacks

Question 3

can you still have a heart attack or go into cardiac arrest if you have a pacemaker?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Both of these problems are due to issues not addressed by the pacemaker. A heart attack is generally due to a blockage and a heart artery, and cardiac arrest is usually due to an exceedingly fast heart rate where the pacemaker only fixes slow heart rates. A defibrillator is the device of choice to treat cardiac arrest.

Question 4

if the pacemaker can not prevent the heart attack, what happens to it during the heart attack?

Accepted Answer

Pacer: A heart attack usually doesn't affect an electronic pacemaker. The device will help prevent the heart from slowing excessively and usually won't be affected by rapid heart action. If a cardiac arrest occurs and defibrillation is necessary, the electric shock could possibly affect the pacer circuitry.

Question 5

dad had a massive heart attack 6 months ago. his heart working at 29% they said he needs a pacemaker. an he won't have it done he thinks he's fine??

Accepted Answer

He probably was told: that he needs a defibrillator not a pacemaker. A weakened heart muscle places him at significant risk for sudden cardiac death. He could feel just fine...until he dies! A defibrillator would prevent this sudden unexpected terminal event. He should be encouraged to discuss this more openly with his health care professionals.

Question 6

help please? how is a pacemaker affected during a heart attack?

Accepted Answer

Pacer: A heart attack usually doesn't affect an electronic pacemaker. The device will help prevent the heart from slowing excessively and usually won't be affected by rapid heart action. If a cardiac arrest occurs and defibrillation is necessary, the electric shock could possibly affect the pacer circuitry.

Question 7

can you tell me how is a pacemaker affected during a heart attack?

Accepted Answer

Pacer/MI: The pacemaker electronics will not be affected by a heart attack. The muscle damage in the heart could change threshholds for sensing and pacing and cause problems with those. Abnormal rhythms associated with the heart attack might also affect what the pacemaker does.

Question 8

my husband, 47 years old, suffered a heart attack 2 years ago. he has 2 stents & now a pacemaker.  what are the cons of a pacemaker?

Accepted Answer

Very few: The indications are for slow heart rate which can be dangerous- even lethal.
There are risks of implantation, but those are past.
Some wire or battery failures over time.
Rare perforation, infection, clots.

Overall very necessary and very safe.

Question 9

i have had a heart attack 20 years ago. i have 3 stents and 6 months ago a pacemaker with 2 wires was fitted. i was also recently put on unat 10mg. ?

Accepted Answer

Torosemide: is a diuretic used to eliminate  excess  excess body water  or edema/

Question 10

hi,i had a heart attack on march 6, 2016.  my cardiologue quickly jumped to the conclusion that i needed a pacemaker. i do not have low heartbeat .  ?

Accepted Answer

No: Most patients with heart attacks do not need pacemakers.  
Pacemakers are only needed for patients whose heart rate is too slow or  for whose electrical system does not conduct signals reliably from the top chambers to the bottom chambers of the heart.

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Doctor answers about:

Can you have a heart attack with a pacemaker

A member asked:

I'm just wondering, if you have a cardiac pacemaker, can you have a heart attack or go into cardiac arrest?

A member asked:

If you have a pacemaker, can you still have a heart attack / cardiac arrest?

A member asked:

Can you still have a heart attack or go into cardiac arrest if you have a pacemaker?

A member asked:

If the pacemaker can not prevent the heart attack, what happens to it during the heart attack?

A member asked:

Dad had a massive heart attack 6 months ago. his heart working at 29% they said he needs a pacemaker. an he won't have it done he thinks he's fine??

A member asked:

Help please? how is a pacemaker affected during a heart attack?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how is a pacemaker affected during a heart attack?

A member asked:

My husband, 47 years old, suffered a heart attack 2 years ago. he has 2 stents & now a pacemaker. what are the cons of a pacemaker?

A member asked:

I have had a heart attack 20 years ago. i have 3 stents and 6 months ago a pacemaker with 2 wires was fitted. i was also recently put on unat 10mg. ?

A member asked:

Hi,i had a heart attack on march 6, 2016. my cardiologue quickly jumped to the conclusion that i needed a pacemaker. i do not have low heartbeat . ?

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