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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Having A Pacemaker Increase The Risks?

I am 36 years old and have recently had a pacemaker installed. Obviously the first 4-6 weeks I need to take it easy to allow the wires to bed in but its after that I have my question.

In the past I have enjoyed taking, very occasionally, recreational drugs (ecstasy, cocaine). While these drugs are never good for you, does having a pacemaker increase the risks?
Mon, 15 Feb 2016
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Yes. For several reasons depending on the underlying condition.
First, there is the underlying reason for the pacemaker. If the heart is too slow and not beating, the drugs increase the risk of abnormal beating some which could be fatal. But, if the pacemaker is put in because the heart is beating irregularly and FAST, the drugs are GUARANTEED to trigger that and have disasterous effects. Lastly if it is a defibrillating pacemaker put in for near fatal abnormal beating, the drugs can trigger this and make the hear resistant to being fixed by the defibrillator. One patient I had with this condition died at age 30 from cocaine and just got many many painful jolts from the defibrillator while dying from the cocaine .
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Is Having A Pacemaker Increase The Risks?

Yes. For several reasons depending on the underlying condition. First, there is the underlying reason for the pacemaker. If the heart is too slow and not beating, the drugs increase the risk of abnormal beating some which could be fatal. But, if the pacemaker is put in because the heart is beating irregularly and FAST, the drugs are GUARANTEED to trigger that and have disasterous effects. Lastly if it is a defibrillating pacemaker put in for near fatal abnormal beating, the drugs can trigger this and make the hear resistant to being fixed by the defibrillator. One patient I had with this condition died at age 30 from cocaine and just got many many painful jolts from the defibrillator while dying from the cocaine .