Pacemaker sailing

[mick]

I am due to have a cardiac pacemaker fitted next week. I would appreciate any comments about problems, etc. from any sailors who have such a device fitted.

 

[elton]

I am due to have a cardiac pacemaker fitted next week. I would appreciate any comments about problems, etc. from any sailors who have such a device fitted.

Don't know about pacemakers, but I sailed for 7 years with various arrythmias (SVT, flutter and so on). Biggest fear was having an accident and bleeding to death or banging my head and suffering a brain hemorrhage because of the wafarin I was taking. I'm assuming you'll be taking warfarin?

 

[mick]

Don't know about pacemakers, but I sailed for 7 years with various arrythmias (SVT, flutter and so on). Biggest fear was having an accident and bleeding to death or banging my head and suffering a brain hemorrhage because of the wafarin I was taking. I'm assuming you'll be taking warfarin?

Warfarin it is. Oh joy, now you've given me something else to worry about.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I've known a couple of people with pacemakers. One had absolutely no problems and lived a far better life after it was fitted - the other person (a lady) is a nervous soul at the best of times but hasn't had any real problems that I'm aware of.

As someone who has cardiac problems another thing to think about is medical insurance. Pantaenius used to do an outstanding albeit expensive pre-existing conditions policy but you now have to declare. It can be cheaper to declare a condition on a policy rather than try and find one that covers pre-existing conditions but it always takes a while to sort out so I've found it worth doing annual cover. If you ever find out why they call it pre-existing conditions instead of just existing let me know.

 

[elton]

Warfarin it is. Oh joy, now you've given me something else to worry about.

If it's any reassurance, during my 7 years on warfarin I had 3 motorcycle accidents, including a triple summersault down the outside lane of the A1(M) at 70mph, plus a violent and near fatal boating incident. But I'm still here!!!!

 

[mick]

Thanks, guys, for your comments. Onwards and upwards.

 

[robmcg]

If it's any reassurance, during my 7 years on warfarin I had 3 motorcycle accidents, including a triple summersault down the outside lane of the A1(M) at 70mph, plus a violent and near fatal boating incident. But I'm still here!!!!

Blimey! Nothing like being born lucky!!

My granny had a pacemaker fitted and although she wasn't a sailor, it improved her quality of life no end and she suffered no detrimental effects. I would imagine your sailing won't be compromised. Some insurers aren't bothered by such medical conditions. Shop around if this becomes an issue.

 

[yoda]

30 years ago I sailed with a lad at school with one fitted, his limitation was based on getting insurance for travel abroad. Other than that you wouldn't have known.

Yoda

 

[Poignard]

The Old Guvnor had one fitted more than 10 years ago. The only effect sailing-wise is that we have occasionally had to find a laboratory in France to do a routine blood test that fell due. That was no problem at all, the French seem to like having medical tests done so there are plenty of laboratories around! The last time was when we were in L'Abervrac'h. The blood test cost 14 Euros, if I remember correctly. She had it done in the morning and we picked up the results in the afternoon and adjusted her Warfarin intake accordingly.

ps I'm not sure what the 'compass safe distance' is for pacemakers!

 

[Porthandbuoy]

My Grandfather had a pacemaker fitted when he was in his mid 60s. It did more than perk his heart up and he and my Gran had a great time rediscovering each other. His second pacemaker didn't have the same effect and I think it was the disappointment that finished him off.

More seriously the only thing I think you should be aware of is the potential for compass deviation.

 

[BabyBlue]

I play squash with a friend who has pacemaker fitted. We are both in our 60s. He is still an excellent player and regularly beats me! Dont give up the sailing. Follow your doctors advice but live life to the full.

 

[Poignard]

More seriously the only thing I think you should be aware of is the potential for compass deviation.

She: "Why are we in Guernsey? I thought we were going to Jersey"

He: "Don't blame me. It's your fault for sitting near the compass."

 

[bendyone]

Bit of debate about airport scanners, whether they are safe or not, anyway to be safe you will get a card with your pacemaker that will enable you to bypass the scanners.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

My wife has been on warfarin for ove 30 years. The main hassle is having her INR (blood viscosity) checked every couple of weeks to regulate the warfarin dose. OK if it is behaving itself - the interval can be stretched to a month then - but a pain in the neck when her INR is misbehaving. There is DIY equipment, but it is too costly for ordinary folks - a 4 figure sum. Health authorities vary in their approach - one health authority was prepared to lend a test machine; in another she had to attend hospital for a full blown blood sample, and in another they have the test machine taken round to local clinics. But it is the routine INR testing that is likely to have most impact on lifestyle; no disappearing for several months. Even for a holiday in Hong Kong we will have to make arrangements for her to have a test while out there.

Of course, she has to be careful about cuts and bruises; cuts especially. A cut that I would curse and forget will bleed for several hours, and of course, even a light knock comes up in a bruise. Honest, I don't knock her about!

She recently had a pacemaker fitted, and that has been a great success in controlling her heart rate, which had become very irregular.

 

[elton]

INR (blood viscosity)

Sorry if I appear pedantic, but INR has nothing to do with blood viscosity; it's a measure of the propensity of the blood to clot. The term "blood thinning" agents is equally misleading in this context. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prothrombin_time

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Sorry if I appear pedantic, but INR has nothing to do with blood viscosity; it's a measure of the propensity of the blood to clot. The term "blood thinning" agents is equally misleading in this context. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prothrombin_time

Thanks for correcting my misunderstanding! Because they use terms like "thinning" I assumed it was a viscosity measurement, so you are absolutely correct about the misleading nature of the terminology.

 

[wotayottie]

Pacemaker? Simple - stick to sailing the Solent. Nice easy calm unexciting sailing there. Mind you a bill from MDL might have an undesired effect!


Seriously though, best of luck with it - I'm sure you will be allright and able to do everything you want to do. Might be sense to check up on the pacemakers sensitivity to electromagnetic interference though again I'm sure they are designed to avoid any such problems. My guess from pals who have had heart problems is that your biggest issue will be treating yourself like an unexploded bomb at first - worried about what you can or cannot do. Eventually it will fade and you'll not think about it.

 

[maxi77]

Since starting on blood thinning treatment I carry this http://www.celoxmedical.com/ in my first aid kits

 

[elton]

Since starting on blood thinning treatment I carry this http://www.celoxmedical.com/ in my first aid kits

There's no such thing as "blood thinning treatment"

 

[fixh1]

I am due to have a cardiac pacemaker fitted next week. I would appreciate any comments about problems, etc. from any sailors who have such a device fitted.

Possible problems with a pacemaker: falling overboard and drawn, slippery deck, head injury of the boom, etc. I don't think the risk of these accidents is reduced by a pacemaker. However the risk does not increase either.
A pacemaker doesn't have any magnetic parts, and it is made of titanium, so there is very little deviation on the compass.

The only thing you should not do is put your pacemaker (left shoulder?) very close (mm's) near the compass, the pacemaker can react on the magnetic field, and go into 'magnet mode' depending on the state of the pacemaker battery and manufacturer it will run on a rate of e.g. 100 beats per minute.

I can't imagine any other problems, and I know what I'm talking about, I was an engineer at a pacemaker company for 10 years.

And every 4-8 years a new one of course. And it has to be removed after your death if you want to be cremated (battery is a bit explosive in a crematory oven)