Hbecause of my submitted exercise resultsad dual lead PM fitted a year ago for SSS. Was told it was fitted purely because of slow HR. A year later I found out the rate response was switched (have no idea why).

Returned to gym a year after implant and found HR very quickly went up to 160bpm without much effort. Had Rate response turned off and doing the same exercise my HR crept up more slowly to about 140bpm for the same activity. No problems at all and have no idea why my rate response was on.

I asked when I had my rate response switched off whether my upper limit 130bpm should be lowered/highered because of my results from exercise. The technician said it depended on other factors.

Is it better to have it higher or lower in this case? I still have not really understood how the upper limit affects my situation.

 

 

Anyone who exercises needs to know what they are being set at and why when they get set. Story after story here indicates that most doctors/pacer techs cookie cutter people. If I was set like I was supposed to be in the hospital I would be using a lot of battery I don't need and would probably have all sorts of other issues. My pacer is set to kick in only when my HR drops below 50. Nothing else, that is all I need right now. They wanted to set that low rate at 70 when I had a RHR in the in the high 50's or low 60's. Also I would have had a 120 ceiling and I workout out in the 140's - 150's several times a week. Also I didn't need rate response because I don't have a problem getting my rate up.

Now as for the upper limit. I was told that for me since my heart had no problems up there that the upper limit would not actually come into play. Now this was from the pacer tech but she still put it up way higher than I will go just in case. I have heard other things from other people.

Anyway, it all comes down to talking to your doc, talking to your pacer tech and telling them what you want and need. They might veto some ideas (I wanted my lower rate set to 40 but they said 50 was as low as they would go) but at least make sure you have an active role in all decisions..

 

I am not an expert but can only share my experience... I have a dual lead PM after an AV node ablation. My original setting was 60-140, rate response off. I found that when I was exercising as soon as I reached the upper limit (140) the pm would push my hr back down. That did not work for me. I instantly felt like my legs weighed 100 lbs, became sob, and my blood pressure would go sky high. I have since had several changes to my settings until I felt it was as the right setting for my needs. Not eveyone is the same and we all have different needs. It took some time but worked. I am a 41 yr old female and an avid swimmer.

Best of luck to you,
Heidi

 

Unless you have a serious heart problem there is no reason to have your HR set that low. I had the same battle after I had my first one implanted. It was set to 120 and was very limiting. I contacted the cardiologist and let them know that I wanted it set to 150, even though I was 75 at the time. I told them that I would take responsibility for controlling my exercise level to hold my HR to a reasonable level.

I got somewhat the same story as you and simply let them know that either they increase it or I would look for another facility to handle it. After a bunch of dire warnings it was set as I wanted it and has been that way since. I'm now 80 and on second pacer. It has worked out great for me.

frank

 

I am three days into having my pacemaker so all the docs advice is right there...no shower until four days after surgery, driving no sooner then two weeks...me...I'm thinking with the seatbelt law that might be soon have the incision right across but...know I will try then : )) no lifting over 10-15 lbs for a month...I'm following everything closely though this feels like a new lease on life, I surely do not want to have another or more surgery unless the battery goes up on this one.

 

If my HR goes up on its own ok. Does it really matter what the upper limit is set to. I also asked to have my lowere limit set to 40 and I was told they would set it no lower than the current 50 bpm.

I am still confused regarding this upper limit of 130. When I exercise my HR goes up happily into the 150 nto 170s. What effect is my upper limit having on this? What would be the advantage of having raised higher?