heart rate monitor

Hi,

I seem to have my heart racing even when I get up from my chair!

Any one is using a heart rate monitor?

I found this which doesn't involve strap around the chest as I am worried of interference with the pacemaker.

http://www.firstaidwarehouse.co.uk/xpp-ua_704_palm_top_monitor.html

9 Comments

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2010-09-14 02:09:18

If you have heart block, it's normal to pace ventricle a lot. That's what I have and I pace 100%. It could be that some of the atrial pacing is the rate response when you don't need it.

Something that doesn't make a lot of sense- usually with block the rate doesn't go up normally with activity. The atrial rate will go up normally but the signal doesn't get through the ventricles. With sick sinus, the sinus node will slow down and let the heart rate drop but it often picks up and works normally with activity. It's possible to have a bit of each, which might explain why your settings aren't where you need them to be yet.

pacing

by munmun - 2010-09-14 02:09:26

Before the operation when the nurses and technician see my ECG get very alarmed. They tried to put me on a chair and push me around..I used to just laugh at them..as far as i know..nothing wrong with me.

The technician refused to let me go on the running machine but the doctor convinced him. Once I was running...He said 'Amazing woman' :)
I still suspect if I truly needed the pm.

yes!

by Tracey_E - 2010-09-14 04:09:58

If you are pacing 100% of the time, you need it! The pm always gives your heart a chance to beat on its own first, it only kicks in when the heart goes too long without a beat, or with ventricular pacing it kicks in when the atria beats but the ventricle doesn't follow.

When we have a low hr and are young, our bodies can compensate for the lower hr and we get by ok sometimes. As we get out of our teens, it's harder and harder on the body and the lack of oxygen affects our organs. Please don't doubt your decision. I got by ok without so I waited to get mine until my hr plummeted one day and I almost died. It's much better to get it before you need it that badly! After I noticed a lot of little health problems went away and my mind was more sharp. So, I did ok with my hr in the 40's but I do much better now that it never goes under 60.

heart rate monitor

by marymaher@charter.net - 2010-09-14 06:09:26

I use a Sportline watch. All I do is press the button and it gives me my heart rate. Bought it at WalMart.
Mary

monitors

by Tracey_E - 2010-09-14 08:09:07

Monitors won't interfere with pm's, even the ones with chest straps. What's more likely is the pm will interfere with the monitor and give inaccurate readings. Sometimes they work fine, other times the pm causes the monitor to miss some or all beats, other times the monitor picks up pm spikes as well as beats so the count is way too high. Best thing I've found is just to count it when I feel odd.

How long have you had your pm and why did you get it? A common cause of sudden racing is a feature on the pm called rate response. It senses activity and raises your hr for you. It has different sensitivity levels and if it's more sensitive than what you need, or if you have it turned on but don't need it, it can cause what you described.

heart rate monitor

by munmun - 2010-09-14 09:09:26


Thanks
I had my pm about 5 months ago. I didn't have any problem however I did have sudden BP rise which the consultant at the time related it to low pulse (35 at rest).

I used to be well. Now I am ill. I intend to discuss the response rate with the clinic..if there is a good paper to read before I go ..then I will be grateful for the advise.

Thanks,
Muna

rate drops

by Tracey_E - 2010-09-14 09:09:32

If you're feeling worse than before you got the pm, it could easily be the settings just need adjusted. They are generally set for older, sedentary patients. Those of us who are young and active make the pm work a little harder so it can take a few tries to get the settings where we need them. Keep on them until you feel good! There's no reason you should feel worse than you did before you got it.

Do you know why your rate was dropping? If your sinus node works but the signal is blocked on the way to the ventricles, av block, you probably don't need rate response but sometimes they turn it on anyway and it can and make you feel bad by making your rate jump when it doesn't need to. If your sinus node is the problem, sick sinus syndrome, then you need rate response because your rate doesn't go up enough on its own, but RR comes with a number of sensitivity settings so you might have to experiment to get it right, to find that balance between getting your rate up when you need it but not jumping every time you sneeze or stand up.

Good luck! If you have questions, don't be shy.

rate drops

by munmun - 2010-09-14 10:09:45

Thanks Tracy,

We have special heart in my family. we have low rate and missing beat .My sister and Brother are the same (older than myself) but with no pm.
I had rate of 45, 7 years ago and when I was in my 20's I was on rate of 60. My body was used to it and the pulse becomes almost normal when I am active (e.g. on the trade mill)

I am diagnosed with complete heart block. Sinus node works fine most of the time.

I think you are write I don't need the RR. I have 50% AP and 100% Vp I think 100% is too much.

Try an pulse oximeter

by Bill T - 2010-09-14 12:09:18

I bought a pulse oximeter to check out my pulse rate after getting a PM in June this year. I try-d a wrist heart rate monitor but it was a joke. An oximeter similar to the ones they use in the hospital is quick and accurate, pulse it give your Oxygen percentage A google search will give you lots of choices, this web site shows the one I have.
http://www.pulseoximeteronline.com/?gclid=COKd7u6ah6QCFZJl7AodMF9wHA
I bought this one (Fingertip pulse oximeter, oxygen meter, CMS50DL, CMS-50DL). Its quick and accurate. Hope this helps with your heart rate monitoring.

Bill T

You know you're wired when...

You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.