With 3-4 Second Pauses, Do I Need a Pacemaker?
We’ve answered a new FAQ about understanding A-Fib with long pauses and if a pacemaker is appropriate.
“I have paroxysmal A-Fib with “pauses” at the end of an event. I can’t tell how many of these I have experienced. Will they stop if my A-Fib is cured?
My cardiologist recommends a pacemaker to prevent blackouts during a pause as well as other serious heart problems. I am willing, but want to learn more about these pauses first.”
I had the same problem. I’d get pauses as long as 6 seconds and get dizzy, I felt like I was about to faint, etc. It was very frightening. But the pauses completely disappeared when my A-Fib was cured by a catheter ablation back in 1998.
Pauses are “Normal” in A-Fib
Pauses of up to 4 seconds duration in atrial fibrillation are considered as ‘normal’. Just because you have pauses doesn’t mean there is something wrong with your Sinus or AV Node and doesn’t mean that you need a pacemaker. When you are returned to normal sinus rhythm (NSR), these pauses usually disappear.
Unfortunately, many cardiologists don’t know this and will try to rush you into having a pacemaker implant…Read the rest of my answer… .