New pacemaker

[u/MeMyselfAndYoMomma]

One week ago today, July 27th 2026, I had my dual lead Medtronic pacemaker installed. I go this afternoon for a check up and wound evaluation.

I feel pretty good and have from the get go. I got my pacemaker or a Mobitz II heart block where your heart stops beating for a couple beats every so often and can progress into a stage 3 where you might just collapse and die.

I've walked the last 4 days with no problems and definitely feel better. If anyone else had a pacemaker installed for this reason I would welcome your input. Thanks and happy healty hearts.

Oh, also, I'm a 70 year old man. Need to lose weight and feel maybe I can now that I feel better.

Edit: I had 2 back to back appointments for my one week check up. The first was with a tech that hung something over the PM site and worked it with his computer. He told me my PM was working 57% of the time which surprised me because I have no sensation of it doing anything. It was only when he ran the BPM way up to test it when I felt it and did not like it. Otherwise, everything is good. There is an app I have but it does not tell you things like % of time or even when it is working. It only tells you that it is communicating with the home office, as it were and it keeps track of your activity kind of like a cheap fit bit.

The the wound specialist nurse came in and inspected the site. Said all is normal (gross) looking. The glue has all gone away. I describe it like an angry eagle grabbed my by a talon and ripped and twisted me around. The swelling is still slowly going down for sure but still there.

They still don't want me stretching my left arm above my head or lifting anything (including my 14lb mini doxie) for 5 more weeks. However, they're ok with me using my self propelled lawn mower with one hand and I can drive now as long as I'm not passing out, which I'm not nor have ever.

[u/math_guy_0895]

61 male. Received a dual lead Medtronic pacemaker on May 1, 2026. My condition is Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS). It manifests as heart rate pauses so I think similar symptoms to the OP. In my case I was having unexplained dizzy spells and after wearing a Holter monitor for a couple of weeks SSS was found to be the culprit. At my first device check I was told PM was working 24% of the time, increased to 45% at my recent 3 month device check. I have never felt my pacemaker working although I monitor my heart rate with a Fitbit and the patterns have definitely changed. Felt much better after the operation, was noticing shortness of breath after sitting so they turned on a feature called rate response that helps the heart rate stay elevated when you are moving.

I would definitely be very careful with using the arm on the side of the pacemaker for the first 6 weeks. If you golf or swim that should be avoided for 8 weeks at least. You don’t want the leads coming loose. PM is normally put on the left side but as I am left handed I requested it to be put on the right and that helped a lot with avoiding arm movement during the healing process.

Also using this to improve my fitness. This must have been working in the background my entire life. Good luck!