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What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Person With A Dying Pacemaker?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2015
Question: My father is 95 with severe Alzheimer's his battery is dying in his pacemaker. My father would not us to replace it. What should I expect next as far as his life expectancy?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Few weeks to about 3 months, not more sadly; could be much lesser also

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Unfortunately, such situations come up more often then you would wonder. But with a dying pacemaker, and taking his age into consideration we cannot accurately estimate life expectancy, but from my experience with a few other patients I would say a few weeks to about 2-3 months; not more sadly.

Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, and I am really sorry about sharing the news with you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (23 hours later)
What will my father experience in the meantime till such time. By the way you are awesome for giving me the info I have been asking everyone with no satisfaction
What will my father expect from this point on. What will he be experiencing and what am I too expect
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms listed, and gradual death should be expected

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.

I am glad I could be of assistance, but am also sorry at the same time for passing this news to you.

Your dad may experience symptoms like:

+Blackouts
+Extreme exhaustion
+Shortness of breath
+Dizziness
+Altered mental status (i.e. confusion, disorientation, etc.)
+Close to zero physical activity possible
+Gradual and inevitable death

You and your family will have to be strong as you will sadly slowly watch him slip away, and you will all have to be supportive and strong. For anything, you know you can always write to me and I shall be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 days later)
See the pacemaker battery is low and dying. How long before it completely expires
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Unfortunately less than a month, approximately

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.

May be a few days or weeks, not more.

Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Person With A Dying Pacemaker?

Brief Answer: Few weeks to about 3 months, not more sadly; could be much lesser also Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Unfortunately, such situations come up more often then you would wonder. But with a dying pacemaker, and taking his age into consideration we cannot accurately estimate life expectancy, but from my experience with a few other patients I would say a few weeks to about 2-3 months; not more sadly. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, and I am really sorry about sharing the news with you. Best wishes.