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What Causes Chest Pain And Breathing Difficulty While Having Pacemaker?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2015
Question: my dad has had a pacemaker for like 20 years and is 80 y/o he is now having shortness of breath & chest pain with exertion, the doctor says his pacemaker is functioning fine. is there anything I should be worried about
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
An ischemic heart disease should be ruled in/out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that your dad's complains (chest pain and shortness of breath) need further investigation, regardless the normal functioning pacemaker.

As they are suggestive of ischemic heart disease, a comprehensive medical evaluation should be done, a careful physical exam coupled with some imagine heart studies (as ECG may not be so helpful, because of the pacemaker; and stress test may have relative contraindication, because of the advance age), and laboratory tests.

I recommend consulting your dad to his attending cardiologist to clarify the above mentioned issues.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9545 Questions

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What Causes Chest Pain And Breathing Difficulty While Having Pacemaker?

Brief Answer: An ischemic heart disease should be ruled in/out. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that your dad's complains (chest pain and shortness of breath) need further investigation, regardless the normal functioning pacemaker. As they are suggestive of ischemic heart disease, a comprehensive medical evaluation should be done, a careful physical exam coupled with some imagine heart studies (as ECG may not be so helpful, because of the pacemaker; and stress test may have relative contraindication, because of the advance age), and laboratory tests. I recommend consulting your dad to his attending cardiologist to clarify the above mentioned issues. Hope to have been helpful to you! Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr.Iliri