AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
I am 36 yrs old female(167cm height, 47kg weight, usually normal blood pressure) with constant low pulse rate, not taking any kind of medicine.
I have this problem with bradycardia all my life.
When I was a child I had a regular cardiologist's check (every 6 months). The doctor sugested that I had a normal life.
As a child I was not aware of the kind of problem I had so when I was 18 I stopped seeing cardiologist.
Then after 16 yrs (2 yrs ago) I noticed that my pulse rate is extremely low (36-40). I had no problems and was confused about this. After several months I went to a doctor and was really shocked!!! They told me I have to implant a pacemaker. I have refused it although they told me I could have sever problems.
When I am active my pulse rate gets up to 110, but any other time it is 35-40. Is it possible that my body has adapted to this pulse rate and that I do not need a pacemaker?
And what about getting pregnant? Is it true that there is no way I give a birth to a child without a pacemaker at this condition?
Please, give me your opinion. I am very sensitive person and the whole situation is getting me into deep depression. I am terrified of any kind of surgery (I know that this is just a routin procedure, but anyway). I think I would not survive that shock. I am emotionally not ready to do it and to change my normal life even if that means I will not have children.
Thank you in advance
Sincerely yours
Biljana
Answer Dear Biljana,
If your EKG shows only sinus bradycardia and No atrioventricular block, then you should go thru life and pregnancy with no trouble. I certainly don't think you need a pacemaker if your EKG just says sinus bradycardia. If you wish, send me your EKG as attachment to email to dwr1@wcrichmond.org or fax to 804 200 1098 or in regular mail to 1500 Westbrook Court, Apt. 1105, Richmond VA 23227-3366.
Please write back if this note doesn't satisfatorily answer your questions.
