Pacemaker self-checks

I have been reading a lot of previous posts on here and have seen the term "pacemaker self-checks". I don't quite understand what this is and don't remember reading about this in my Medtronics Adapta manual.

What does the pacemaker do when it does a self check, how would I know it is doing one, and how long does it last (is it preprogrammed for a specific time.)?

Anywhere where I could read up on this?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

5 Comments

self check

by JessiWay - 2010-03-16 01:03:37

The self checks are the machine doing a diagnostic on itself as far as I am aware...I think it makes adjustments to itself, also at his time. I am new to having a PM, just trying to remember what the doctor said the other day. Have you had a check done in your doctor's office? I had one done at my 2 week appt. & they explained it all to me at that time.

They usually set them to do the self check during a time when you are going to be asleep. If you are feeling it and it is bothersome, have them change the time to when you will be asleep. If it is during a time when you are asleep & it disturbs your sleep have it set for a time you will be in a deeper sleep or a time during the day when you are awake. I felt mine the other night when it did its self test. My heart rate sped up to around 100 & skipped a couple beats. It was a couple minutes of odd feelings. Then it was over, no big deal.

Also, you go to search in the upper right corner of the page & type in self test. It will pull all the old posts people have written about it. There you will find a wealth of information. Good luck & take care!
~Jessi

Re: pacemaker self checks

by LS - 2010-03-16 02:03:14

Mine is through a company out of Dayton,OH called Isis Medical. It was set up through my Dr.
I had my first "interrogation" yesterday. I Just put some wrist bands on after they called & they walked me through it. Very quick (less than 10 min) & easy!! I think it reads the info stored in the PM.
I'm not sure if this is the type of self check you meant?
Hope this helps!
Liz

Not Sure

by heartu - 2010-03-16 03:03:13

Thanks Jessi and Liz

I am not quite sure what I mean. I have read many posts from people who say they are aware when their pacemakers self check/test. Unfortunately, this never came up at my first post op check-up (one of the 20questions I did not write down- go figure!)

I had third degree heart block, so no speedy beats here. I was just wondering how I would know (other than being told by the doctor) if and when my pacemaker self tests.

BTW, I went on the Medtronics website and no detailed explanation about this other than the device does a self test.

Could be......

by FzyMtnMan - 2010-03-16 09:03:27

Most newer model pacemakers have the capability to "self-test" and then store the data that is measured. The tests are/could be a, 1. Sensing test, this is when the device measures the signal size of a persons own heart beat signal (in milliVolts). This assumes that an intrinsic (heart generated electrical signal) is present. 2. Threshold test, the pacemaker has in its program the ability to determine the lowest voltage value that is required to stimulate the heart muscle. This value is called the "Threshold". What this test allows is for the device to automatically adjust the amount of voltage it delivers to stimulate the heart muscle. It is done so that the device can use the minimal amount of voltage necessary, plus a "safety margin". The end result being, the less energy used the longer the device should last. 3. Impedance test, this test measures the integrity of the lead's resistance properties. If the wire's intact throughout its length the value will be within a specific range. If it is out of range say less than 200 or greater than 3000 Ohms it may indicate an issue with the lead's continuity.
Most devices have a time programmed into it as to when to do these tests. This time can be changed based on the patient's symptoms. But I would say, if you don't feel anything, that's good!

All I know is mine were waking me up in the middle of the night

by COBradyBunch - 2010-03-17 11:03:56

So they did something to adjust/turn off these. They said they couldn't change the time because they were based upon activation of the device and since mine was activated about 3:30 in the afternoon it was waking me up at 3:30 in the morning almost every night. Since I am pacing so little (less than 1%) they saw no reason to have to have it doing them. They apparently were increasing my HR enough for my body to say WTF and wake me up.

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