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MTR (Max Tracking Rate / Upper Limit

Well, just when I thought I had this figured out.. I have my device set at 150bpm currently. My EP/tech mentioned raising it again if needed.. I haven't needed to as it's been working perfectly for me between that and beta-blockers I've been able to workout comfortably without getting near the 150bpm threshold and getting pushed into 2:1.

Today, I pushed myself cycling up a hill :) I felt great all the way up. Typically, as I approach the 150bpm, I start to feel something pr...

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Switching Beta Blockers

Hello everyone, thank you so much for your messages on my last post, i thought i'd give an update. 

It is now day 4 since i switched beta blockers, from 80mg nadolol to 2.5mg nebivolol. The first 3 days where absolutely awful, I had a racing heart, dizziness, sickness and horrible palpitations and funny rhythms. 

I have woken up this morning (day 4) and my heart seems to of relaxed, it is no longer racing and I am not feeling ill anymore. I wonder if these horrible s...

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What's Normal in the First 6 Weeks?

New member here. Just got my Abbott/St. Jude pacer implanted 8/23 (DDDR). I was told the local Device Clinic would do a remote interrogation after 30 days, then an in-person interrogation at 90 days. To my surprise, they did a remote interrogation after three days. Fine, not expected, but ok. Things were not running smoothly the first week, so I didn't worry too much about the issues reported and trusted if anything was too terrible, they would contact me.

I've restarted cardiac...

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Pacemaker incision

Hi everyone,

I had a pacemaker put in 6 weeks ago and everything is working well.  My question is: my incision is still sore especially to the touch.  The doctor said it may be because I don't have much fat due to the fact I'm a small person.  Or does it take much longer to heal up?  Makes any sense?

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Update on new pacemaker settings

I have 2nd Degree AV heart block.

It has been a week since I have moved from minimal pacing (13%) set at VVI40 (my ventricles will not beat any less than 40bpm) to DDD 100% pacing.

My heart thuds stopped immediately. The long wait before pacing (1.5 seconds on blocked beats) is now gone. So that is really good.

I feel a little less fatigued but not a step change so let's see how that progresses.

Exercise is more complicated. I have now done three runs at these new...

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Not a good year

As bad as last year was, I was hoping this year would be better. So far it hasn't work out that way. The year started out with the implantation of my pacemaker in January. That turned out OK as I was feeling better after years of fighting almost constant AF. Spring arrived and there was still hope for a good year.

Then May came and I had my annual CT scan to check on the cancer I had so far beaten for 9 years. Well, my luck ran out and a mass was discover in almost the exact same sp...

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Ache in chest

I had pacemaker fitted in January 2023. I have developed an ache in chest - especially present when walking and running - in the main heart area. I wonder if it could be related to the pacemaker in any way? 

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Beta Blocker Switch

Hello All, 

Yesterday I experienced a strange ordeal and need some advice please. 

I was told by my cardiologist to change my beta blocker that I had been on for 2 years, to a lower dose of a beta blocker. The change is from 80mg Nadolol OD to 2.5mg Nebivolol OD. 

I changed yesterdsy and the effect was almost immediate. I felt extremely dizzy, sick and light headed all day, and my heart rate, which is usually 60 ish, was fluctuating randomly from 60-110....

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Thank you

I'd like to thank you all for helping me with my post surgery concerns.  My pacemaker was inserted in February this. I didn't join, but you were my go to!  I always say that if you don't experience something, your expertise is merely from what you read or hear.  You all are like a pacemaker cabinet filled with people who have hands on knowledge.  I trust your posts more than I do my pacemaker clinic who has made a lot of bad decisions on my part and is a bit la...

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Flecainide

Hello all, hope all is well, I have a question about flecainide for afib, I went to see an EP about 5 months ago who suggested I have an ablation for my paroxysmal afib and at some point remove my pacemaker because of my low percentages which was very much concerning to me so I opted for a second opinion. This other EP from the boston location came highly recommended and said ablation would be a last resort so he put me on this medicine and lowered my pacing rate to 45. He also stated to leav...

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Cycling up steep hills - feel as if I'm about to faint.

Hi.  New member. 76 years old PM fitted two years ago.

Cycling is my favourite exercise 2-3 times a week, 25 miles a ride.

After having the PM fitted I took a few months off. Since starting again I have noticed that when I get to steep hills, after a short time I get a lot of pain/aching in my quadriceps followed very quickly by a feeling as if my head is about to explode. Stops very quickly and normalises after I reduce the effort.

I have had the PM upper limit increas...

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BPM

I have had a PM for a year.   Without the PM my heart beats in the range of 28-32.  The PM is set for no lower than 60.  This morning I woke up and it was beating at 48 BPM.   After about 25 minutes (and a cup of coffee) it was up to 66 BPM.  Should I be worried.  I feel fine once it get up to speed.  I have a cardiologist appoint at the end of this month.

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Exercise with Pacemaker

Dear Friends,

I have Dual chamber pacemaker in upper left Chest portion.

I want to keep myself healthy and active, hence i decided to go for Strength and bit of cardio workouts. Can you help me with my below questions ?

1: Can we lift normal weights like dumbells, Weight bars and do push-ups with Pacemaker considering it should not harm the leads ?

2: What is the limit for weights ?

3: I get ectopic beats 10-15 times in a day and more when i do some workouts like...

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Usefull links

A couple of useful links

https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ectopic-beat

https://bpac.org.nz/2017/beta-blockers.aspx

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Pm into 3.5 year old

Hi all, 

questions about 3.5 year old- he has complete heart block and his time for a pm has come! Because he is small (3.5 years old) the leads will be placed externally on the heart (if that makes sense)- any tips on the recovery period? How many stitches? any tips on how to prevent a toddler from raising his elbows above shoulder levels etc for 6 weeks. I shudder. Any tips on how to recognise issues w the pm in such a young kid - his language is a bit behind, so don't be foo...

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Airport security

Hello, I'm new here and so glad I'm on this forum.  I feel a little lost no one in my family or my friends have had a pacemaker. 

My question is: how to handle security at the airport.  I live in California and probably security at airports are different in other states.  I do have my pacemaker card.  But, what's the procedure?

Thanks, Kari

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Atrial Bigeminy

Hello from New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment

I recently have become acquainted with the term Atrial Bigeminy.  For some months I was pretty sure I spent a good deal of time in A-fib.  Had all the symptoms plus my Kardia Mobile confirmed.  Even my doctor was convinced after reviewing my phone log of possible A-fib events of which there were a good number.

However, very very few a-fib events showed up on my home monitor report or in office interrogation.  Almos...

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Aveir™ DR dual-chamber pacemaker availability US

Hi all,  have any one here heard since its FDA approval in July when this new dual chamber leadless PM will become offered on a more general level around the US? and will it also be offered to younger/middel aged patients since it has a retriveable function? From what I have been able to read some of the doctors in the trial believe this is doable. Br MG.

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Question on using a land phone

Hello, I'm new to this site.  I have a pacemaker. St Jude. I have Bailycardiac, slow beats.  My question is can I use my land phone safely.  Thank you, Karen

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3 year old - congenital heart block

Hi all!! 

First post for me- and first off I am delighted to have found this site and have read all posts I could find regarding complete heart block. Before I ask my questions I will recount some of my son's story- and mine, to give reassurance to anyone that may be frantically googling for information after being given this diagnosis of their unborn child during pregnancy.  (Jump to last paragraph for the questions)

That is what happened to us- CHB was found d...

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You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

Member Quotes

Your anxiety is normal. It takes some of us a little time to adjust to the new friend. As much as they love you, family and friends without a device just cannot understand the adjustment we go through. That is why this site is so valuable.