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Grandmother's Pacemaker Fails Twice, Leaving Her in Constant Fear
13 Nov
Summary
- Grandmother's pacemaker malfunctioned twice in 8 years, causing her to collapse
- Pacemaker failure led to near-death experiences and profound loss of quality of life
- Recalled pacemaker model now under investigation for safety concerns
In November 2025, a 69-year-old grandmother named Elizabeth Fletcher is living in constant fear after her pacemaker malfunctioned not once, but twice over the past eight years. Fletcher, who was born with a rare heart condition, has experienced two near-death experiences due to the sudden failure of her pacemakers.
The first incident occurred in May 2017, when Fletcher's pacemaker suddenly stopped working, causing her heart to stop beating. She collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the device had failed. Fletcher was then given a replacement pacemaker from medical equipment firm Boston Scientific Ltd.
However, disaster struck again in February 2025, when Fletcher's new pacemaker malfunctioned. She experienced the same dizziness and loss of consciousness, and the device had to be quickly replaced. Doctors told Fletcher that the first failure was a unique and unbelievable occurrence, but now it has happened again.
The Boston Scientific pacemaker that Fletcher received was recalled by the company in December 2024 due to a manufacturing defect that caused the batteries to deteriorate faster than anticipated. This recall has raised serious concerns about patient safety, as pacemakers are designed to provide reassurance and protection, not fear and pain.
Fletcher's story is now being examined by specialist lawyers, who are investigating the safety of these devices. The grandmother has likened the fear of another failure to "having a gun against your head," and she hopes that by sharing her experience, others can be made aware of the potential risks.
