Bob, I got my Pacemaker in May of last year after passing out while eating at a restaurant. It wasn't my first time. Waking up with a nurse taking your pulse (she was at the next table) and having 50 pairs of eyes looking to make sure you are alive is a special experience. My "spells" took me out for 20 or more seconds. Something had to be done for my peace of mind. I hope you did not have to endure the Tilt Table Test. I will go ahead and die before doing that one again !!

It took a few months to get used to the discomfort of having the pacemaker implanted but other than that I am happy to have it.

Please take some time to talk with your Cardiologist and let him explain exactly what the Pacemaker is doing. It will help to put you at ease. Mine set set for a low limit of 60 beats per minute. There is no upper Rev Limiter. When my heartbeat gets down to 60 BPM the Pacemaker actually increases the rate to 85 beats per minute for 30 seconds to make up for the loss of oxygen from the heart beating slower. I don't feel a thing. More importantly I am no longer anxious about blacking out.

My rides are usually 25 miles or less and I have had no issues since the implant. The legs and lungs give up while the heart happily beats away.

I hate that I had to have this procedure done but prefer the simple mechanical nature of the Pacemaker as opposed to trying drug after drug hoping to find the correct one for my condition and wondering about it's side effects.

Has your Cardiologist cleared you for exercise ? Ask him direct questions, after all you are the one paying the tab and he is working for you !

Are you out and about and walking ? If you can take a brisk walk an easy pace on the bike would probably be no problem. I have pushed up to a whopping 26 MPH for short periods of time with no issues other than I can only do that speed for short periods of time. I normally ride at 12-15 mph.

Just remember to stay away from flat top electric ranges and Ham Radio transmitters !!