Just wanted to share my good news esp. for members wondering what happens in the long run if you go with an Ablation & PM for Afib. In Jan. 1999 I went into permanent Afib with severe SOB & NO energy. After several cardioversions & trying all the meds to convert back to regular HB, I elected in late 2000 to go with an Ablation & a PM. Am now on second PM & went into see EP today (his call for a complete check-up) as in last year had two PM adjustments for slight SOB. So I did the Echo, PM check & saw my favorite doc (my EP). Now for the good news-adjustments were because I am exercising more, volunteering more & generally feeling great even tho I'll be 69 soon. Yes, now there are better choices that are less invasive than a complete Ablati...

 

Hi All,
I had my checkup today. I'm so fortunate. Mine paces about 50% in the upper chamber and so far none in my lower one.
I have had no EPISODES since I got the PM 3 years ago.
Just wanted to share with you and to say how thankful I am.

I, too, am so thankful for the wonderful people on this forum.
I've learned so much from you all during the past few months. I was able to ask intelligent questions today and got understandable answers.

The Medtronic rep did today's test.
I'm not saying the regular cardiologist tech wouldn't have answered my questions. In the past I just never knew what to ask her. My battery is at 3.2 and I believe she said it would be replaced at 2.6. It was 3.5 six...

 

Does anyone know how to interpret the printout we get. I had one given me but no explanation. I fainted one wk after having pacemaker in and thought it would stop. Not sure what to look for on it. They said pacemaker is fine.???

 

Hi its me again. This is my third post, Im 8 days post surgery for a lead replacement and have noticed the last few days that my pulse is around 45 and my base rate is 60. Im going for a checkup on the 13th and my cardio nurse does not seem too concerned but said that they will fiddle with the settings and hopefully get it right. Has anyone had this happen before and should i be concerned. Thanks Jean

 

I had my PM implanted in early May for intermittent heart block. My heart block varies between 1st and 3rd (complete) heart block. The settings on my PM have been tweaked each of the last couple months. After the first month, the technician shut off the rate response function since I have heart block and not SSS. Going into that session my pacing was 15% in the A and 99% in the V. I have felt fine since that is shut off.

During my second visit, my pacing adjusted to 10% in the A and 99% in the V. In order to get the pacing in the V down, they increased the delay between A and V to 350 milliseconds. If my understanding is correct, this will effectively put me in 1st degree heart block but may significantly reduce how much ...

 

I too am confused by my first report...as far as pacing...my report says..AS-VS 13.5 %
AS-VP <0.1%
AP-VS 86.4%
AP-VP <0.1%

So is the pm working 13% or 86% ...I am totally confused...I thought that I understood it ...as pacing 86% but am not quite sure after reading the last answer to this...thanks so much...vtlaney

 

Please delete the word "long" from in front of "NOT" in the preceeding post.

Also should read "senses".

Thanks

Bionic Beat

 

Thankyou to the folks who responded to my "Big Mess??" post.

I did call back and spoke with the fellow in charge of the clinic.

He had my chart, told me that they "don't usually" put anyones' pacemaker to 140, they've written "at my insistence" in my chart and then he explained how "to get more out of your pacemaker".

Apparently, my stair problems, walking problems, etc. can be handled by using "arm movements" to let the pacemaker know that I'm moving about. It sense arm movements long NOT leg movements.....why don't they tell you this at implant time?

He suggests "arm movements" before going on a walk, cause I can't get around the block with my dogs. To keep swinging my arm while walking.....t...

 

Yesterday, my settings were changed but the comments made, freaked me out. Not a good experience.

Settings: May 28/08 DDIR > VVIR
Rates: 70 > 125
Rate response curve 7

July 25/08 VVIR
Rates: 70 > 125
Rate response curve 7 > 8

July 30/08 VVIR
Rates: 70 > 140
Rate response curve 8

When I got there, the woman (tech? nurse?) took the histogram, told me to walk the unit (a big square) as fast as possible and to do two flights of stairs, down and back up, quickly.

Then, she started asking other staff, all kin...

 

Thank you, Nimrod, for the information. I'll let you know what transpires. Getting information here in England from the medical profession, or worse, its self-important support staff's akin to drawing their teeth without anaesthetic! Will avail myself of suggested e-mail address and give them something to mull over today! Kind wishes. Wannabe

 

Can anyone tell me, please, whether the rate response feature is always deployed when the patient has atrial fibrillation as well as bradycardia? My pacemaker ID card from ELA states the mode is DDD (rate response evidently off). The card from the PM clinic at our local hospital claims it's DDDR (rate response evidently on)! Have only this evening discovered this discrepancy. I go for an interrogation on Tuesday next week when I hope my status might be clarified but wondered if any of you knowledgeable people across the globe could give me an idea. Thank you. Hope all's well with everyone. Wannabe

 

Does everyone that gets a icd get a LHM? If not why not?

 

Hi

Just wondering if anyone else here is in a similar situation to me.

I was really poorly in 2002, my heart failed and i was on ICU. Dialated Cardiomyopathy was the diagnosis i was given. Leter that year i had two ablation procedures performed but to no success. I actually ended up with burns on my back - has this happened to anyone? I then had my pacemaker fitted. I work in a hospital and see my technician around quite regularly, on thw wednesday i asked when she thought i may need my pacemaker changing and she said my type of pacemaker lasts 10 - 15 years. I had my check up the day after and was told i would need it changing in the next month. Should i be worried that my pacemaker hasnt lasted as long as most?

 

My 18 mos old had her pacer checked yesterday and the doc did some adjustments. He said everything looked good but that he had increased the voltage.

Last night she had a real rough night. Could it be because of the new settings?

 

I have an appointment with my cardiologist tomorrow and my first interrogation of my pacemaker. Are there any specific questions that I should ask? I am new at this and just seeking advice. Thanks so much!

 

have paroxsymal atypical atrial flutter and have a pacemaker implant with the heartrate set higher than my underlying natural heartrate.

My cardiologist states that he hopes that this pacemaker setting will prevent the rogue heartrate being allowed to step in. I have until recently been free of any instances of irregular heart activity for 5 years - so the logic is undoubtedly sound.

However he states that if atypical flutter does manage to creep in, the pacemaker will close down until sinus rhythm is detected so as to prevent conflict. However following a recent instance of AF the hospital detected that the pacemaker was pacing me whilst in AF.

In addition to the PM I take 5mg Bisoprolol daily and Warfar...

 

I had my pacemaker inserted on June 4....have not been feeling alot better than before it was inserted...had an ecco done last week and have a mild to moderate aortic valve leek...my doctor has not check the settings or done anything with the pacemaker as yet...is this normal...when do they first check them out...any feedback would be so appreciated. vtlaney

 

Hi Everyone,
Got a pacemaker 2 years ago because my heart rate was dangerously low. Been fine for 2 years...excercising, lost some weight, health has been good (I also have Atrial Fibulation but I rarely feel it and so far it is only 1% of the time).
Recently used a friends blood pressure home device to check my BP and pulse rate. BP always comes up fine but pulse rate is constantly 59,58. My friend said that's good and the the low rate is probably my areobic excercise paying off. However, I have a pacemaker because my heart rate went too low so this may be the result of my medical condition and not a sign of excercise.What bothers me is that the reason I checked it was because I have on occassion felt very slight pre-dizziness...

 

I'm new to this forum and am amazed at the knowledge out there. I had my pacemaker (Medtronic ADDRL1) implanted in 2007 for third degree heart block. Been feeling better BUT I am plagued by some Atrial fibs and Dr. now wants to treat with Beta blockers. I'm already on Exforge and don't want to add anymore drugs to my routine.

I never had Atrial fibs before and wonder if this is common after a pacemaker implant and can it be controlled by adjusting the rate. I'm pacing at 60 but was never told upper limits.

Thanks for any information....!

 

Hey, everyone!

I have been doing some research here on individuals with third degree heart block and I wanted to change the Rate Response setting on my Guidant 1291 from on to off.

I have been having difficulty with uncomfortable heart beats, irregular heart beats, and faster than normal heart beats. These would occur off and on at any time. Bending over would raise my heart rate to much. Walking to the car would send it to around 109 - 110. Although this was not uncomfortable(the faster rate) I would get short of breath to the point I'd have to sit down.

I read a lot of the posts done by ElectricFrank(thank you sir) and I asked for the Rate Response to be turned off. I reasoned with my cardio that since I ...