In late July I was hospitalized after reporting to the ER with dizziness/faintness, tingling, etc. I was tested for Lyme and thoroughly screened for stroke (I am in my early 40 s, BMI of 22, healthy eater, relatively active...but not disciplined with daily exercise, non-smoker, weekly drinker of wine/beer while cooking or with dinner). I was admitted for observation to the cardiac unit and underwent EKG, Echocardiogram, MRI, chest x-ray, and connected to a heart monitor. ( I was injected with heparin and remained in bed during the two night stay.) All test were within normal range and I was schedule for discharge. When the nurse removed the IV from the back of my hand ( in the bed, laying upright) I experienced vasovegal syncope and asystole for 10.67 seconds (heart monitor was still in place to capture the event). Recovery took place without intervention beyond verbal & touch stimulation. I am prone to elevated feelings of anxiety with needles, heights, hospitals, medical stuff, ). After five more days in hospital waiting for surgeon to return from vacation, a dual lead pacemaker was implanted. Multiple post op complications occurred including pericarditis, a lead perforation and 7 weeks out infection of the surgical site due to a lack of wound check & surgical glue still in place allowing for bacteria to grow. A referral to an electro physiologist cardiologist took place at week 8 post op and at week 9 post op it was determined the pacemaker would be removed. The explant surgery happened in a day surgery and I have been home for 2 plus weeks without device. My current doctor s approach is one of assessment, with my increasing my fluid intake, adding salt to my diet (blood pressure now averaging 105/69) and wearing an event monitor to capture events. My anxiety is huge and I am just beginning CBT counseling to help. I have not returned to work or any normal routine as I fear experiencing an episode. Logically I know I fainted due to the IV being withdrawn, however experiencing the heart stop has me feeling a real lack of confidence. How common is vasovagal syncope with asystole heart response and was a pacemaker absolutely necessary? I only wish the second approach had come first, as the fear level would not be conditioned into my thought process.