I received my PM 06-31-2008 due to my heart pausing for 6.1 seconds. I’m a runner and my resting heart rate was between 48 to 44 bpm. Since my PM was inserted my resting heart rate is 60-62 bpm. My Dr said he would adjust it at my 1st check up. I know it will be up to my Dr on how low the PM is adjusted but I would like to know how low do the runners out there have their PM set? Thanks Thomas

 

 

Hi Thomas,
I'm also a runner who had a resting heart rate the same as yours prior to getting my PM in January 2007, with 5-second pauses several times a day that led to fainting. I came out of surgery with "factory settings" at 60 beats per minute, as it sounds like you did. Since I don't know what diganosis led to your needing a PM, and am not medically trained, I'm not advising you to have your settings the same as mine, but happy to tell you what mine are. I'm now running 4-5 miles several times a week. I have no upper setting as I've never had any instances of fibrilliation or tachycardia, and my heart rate elevates on its own without any help when I exercise. My lower setting is now 50 beats per minute most of the time, but the "Sleep Mode" is turned on for my PM from midnight to 6am and set at 45 beats per minute during those hours. It's important that your settings remain however high you need them to keep you symptom-free and able to exercise normally.
Happy pacing and running,
CathrynB

 

I'm a bike rider not a runner, 58 year old male. My resting pulse is about 50 bpm. I've had the pacemaker for 7 months due to long pauses from constant atrial fib - specifically, I had one or more long pauses one night that caused short term memory loss for about 12 hours. In the first adjustment post surgery the EP set the minimum at 50 bpm. At my last adjustment - I was pacing about 30% of the time so we lowered the minimum to 40 bpm. I've had no problems with this minimum - I have a checkup later this month that will tell us my current pacing percentage.

 

Thomas,

I also run and participate in triathlons during the season. My PM has had to be adjusted throughout the 5 months that I have had it.
My personal settings, which may not work for you, are 50 bpm during the day and 40 bpm during my sleeping hours. Because of my diagnosis SSS I also have the rate response turned on due to sudden drops in beats.
If you have any more questions just ask.
Chris

 

Hi Thomas,
I'm not a runner, but am a swimmer and have been involved in masters swimming since 1971. My pre-PM resting rate was 52. My post-PM rate is currently set at 55 which seems to be OK. At age 69, I'm pleased/happy to still involved in masters swimming.
Keep at it!

Richan

 

I'm currently running over 50 miles per week (training for a marathon in October) and have mine set at 60 bpm with rate response "off". I've had it adjusted downward each check-up...and would love to eventually get it back down in the mid 40's (but am not holding my breath for that day to ever arrive). Still, it's gratifying that my EP is willing to give me quite a bit of latitude in regards to overcoming my heart issues. There are also quite a few of us on cardiacathletes.org that are "pushing the limits" to prove that exercise is beneficial to one's health as well as lifestyle.

Gary