How have pacemakers changed lives this is a project for NHD on pacemakers and was wondering if anyone out there had a pacemaker or knows someone with a pacemaker and how has it changed their lives?

HI Sweetpinkblondie here( New here, I didn't know how to submit a new answer..lol so I just added on to this one)....I had a pacemaker implanted when I was only 24 years old in 2004. It had to be done after I had open heart surgery and a valve replacement and my heart beat wouldn't beat more than 29 beats per minute. I also had a Total heart block. Wow having a pacemaker completely changed my life!! I once again could breathe, talk, walk, be active, and have a normal life. When your heart beats very, very slow, you loose all your strength and stamina. I couldn't talk above a few faint whispers and I couldn't take even a few steps without help and someone holding me up.I stayed with my parents after my open heart and ended up passing out in their bath tub and going under water and almost drowning...I didn't even have the strength to lift my head out of the water, thank God my Mom walked in the door after hearing me trying to raise my thumb and tap on the wall! I now do everything I did before minus the hardcore sports of course! I am alive because of my pacemaker and have a very fulfilling life with my children! I get my pacemaker checked over the phone by a machine about every 3 mon. I also follow up with my heart Doctor every 6mon. I have to also take blood thinners for the rest of my life. I go weekly and get my finger stuck to check my PTINR to see how thin or how thick my blood is( I think that is more from my valve replacement though). I have already had my pacemaker replaced once in 2008. The battery goes out every 4 years...that kind of sucks! I have to carry a card with me from my Doctor stating that I have a pacemaker, so if I go through a Metal Detector and set it off the CIA or some sort of task force won't come and strip me down and haul me to jail!! My pacemaker has saved my life and made me be able to have one...I'm so thankful to God for that.