how much your pacemaker works
I had a pacemaker implanted 1 1/2 years ago. I was told shortly afterward that my pacemaker works 98% of the time. Has anyone else ever been told how much their's works. It is kind of a scary thought. If it quits working, so do I.
13 Comments
100%
by Beckes76 - 2010-10-17 05:10:19
My bottom lead works all the time but my top one works about 22% if the time. Last PM that I had the bottom lead battery died and I needed a new one ASAP. It was kind of scary but I knew I would be fine in a matter of days. I literally felt my heart skip a beat then double a double beat right after. It felt really strange. But now I know what it feels like if it happens again.
Becky
99% - but now I'm used to it
by SaraTB - 2010-10-17 05:10:24
As my PM was implanted following damage during an ablation, I am pacemaker dependent, as are many here - pacing around 99% or so isn't uncommon on this board!
It can be scary initially, until you get more accustomed to having your PM. One thing you may not know, is whether you have an 'escape rhythm' which many of us PM-dependent folk do have. My nurse practitioner turned off the PM from pacing me, in the office, to demonstrate that I wouldn't die if it failed: I have an escape rhythm, which is low (around 30 I think) but enough to keep me alive until I reached a hospital.
I would ask your Doc. or whoever checks your PM whether you have an escape rhythm or not, which may help you be less worried - it certainly did for me.
Remember that the monitoring is precisely so that your Doc. will know months in advance if the battery is diminishing. It's strange to feel dependent on a little machine, but they are SO reliable.
Full time here
by pacerpaul - 2010-10-17 06:10:16
When I was in the hospital I asked that very question and they said 100%. The nurse even gave me a copy of my ecg as 'proof'. So I know what you mean about it being scarey but I'm like SaraTB because I have an 'escape rhythm' so I figured no matter what I'll be ok. As Sara suggested ask your Doc so you'll know.
Less than 1%
by Shannon - 2010-10-18 02:10:56
Well, I've had mine less than 2 weeks, but when it was first implanted (the night in the hospital after the surgery) I was told it paced about 4% of the time... but the next morning the engineer from Boston Scientific came in and "set" the PM and since then, so far, it hasn't paced at all!
My issue is that My heart rate will occasionally slow during sleep... sometimes to as low as 30bpm! And in addition, during those times, my heart would go into a "missed beat" rhythim... not sure what it's called, but only the "small spike" on the ekg is shown and no BIG spike for up to 8 seconds... Well to be clear, that was the only DOCUMENTED issue based on a 24hr Holter monitor... Chances are good that it actually happened at other times and possibly even longer, but Since the rep set my PM at 40bpm minimum... it has worked 0% of the time...
I'll get a better idea of the true time in about a month when I return to Cardiologist for my follow-up, but based on my "condition" it seems logical that it will not work very often...
At this point, the doctors suspect that I have sleep apnea causing the slowed heart rate due to numerous symptoms that lead to the Holter monitor in the first place...
Anyone else here have a similar situation?
Sleep apnea... slow rate only while sleeping?
I'm 36/male and frankly still VERY taken aback by the fact that I even HAVE a PM... but I'm trying to cope... and this forum is definitely helping.
Thanks,
Shannon
Pacing
by wenditt - 2010-10-18 07:10:45
My range differs sometimes but mostly the upper around 2-8% and the lower 0-2%.
Hoping it stays that way!
Hugs-
Wenditt
80% on both leads
by SEANSMA - 2010-10-21 04:10:09
I'm new to this site but my son Sean(11 years) has had his dual Medtronic PM for 5 years. His heart does the funky chicken as I call it. The worst is slowing down and stopping when he sleeps. I have wondered about the sleep apnea because he jolts in his sleep. Hasn't very much since implant but it is happening more frequent the past fews weeks. I clocked him at 38bpm and his PM is set at 60bpm. I sent tests over the phone and took the long drive for tests including an echo. They said there is no indication of malfunction and there is life in the battery. I listen to his heart everynight while he sleeps and can hear the irregular rythm and his heart regulates after a couple minutes. We had an episode last night..Sean walked about 15feet from the couch to the kitchen and he became sweaty and his heart was beating very fast 120's. It regulated back down to 70 in about a minute.
Would the tests catch the Slow and Fast
episodes if the PM were not pacing?
This jolting in his sleep wakes him up during the night so he is constantly tired. Has anyonelse experienced this?
Smiles!
Lori
jolting in sleep
by SMH - 2010-10-21 05:10:17
I have that too. Don't know what it is or what causes it, don't remember ever having it before PM. The way I described it to my doctor was like you are on a roller coaster at the top getting ready to bottom out and how you feel like you lose your stomach, is exactly how I would describe what it feels like to me. It happens when I first drift off to sleep and I have had it happen over and over again in the same night until I finally fall asleep, I think from exhaustion. Like your son, I am tired during the day from fighting to sleep. My doctor did not have an answer for this.
nerve racking
by SMH - 2010-10-21 06:10:16
I'm sure it does, when your child is involved it is magnified. I personally don't think it has anything to do with sleep apnea.
Also like your son, my heart stopped as I slept. If my husband had not "spooked" me that night, I would not be here now.
It took me a long time to accept that a machine is keeping me alive, but I'm good with it now.
I hope you find out what our "jolt" means, let me know.
Wishing you and Sean this very best, Susan
Nerve Racking
by SEANSMA - 2010-10-21 06:10:21
It scares me to death! I will get to the bottom of this. Maybe an apnea test is in the works?
Smiley!
Lori
I spook Sean too!lol
by SEANSMA - 2010-10-22 01:10:45
Thanks Susan! I could'nt count how many times I've "spooked" Sean to get that ticker tickin! Sometimes I think the jolt is a natural response his body does to wake that heart up. Because this was happening after his open heart surgery (6 months of age) and before the PM implant 5 years ago. It reminds me of one who has apnea..they gasp and wake up to breathe. Interesting...it's great to find someone here who has the same symptoms. Keep in touch!
Smiles Always!
MA
98% too
by lnalean - 2011-08-17 05:08:12
My top lead paces 98% of the time and the bottom at 2%. I went from 86% to 98% in 3 months. What will I be at in 3 months from now? Scary. I still have a-fib occassionally since my ablation too. It hurts now too. Pacemaker implanted in 2007 and ablation in 2008.
Wishing everyone the best,
Lisa N
You know you're wired when...
You make store alarms beep.
Member Quotes
I live an extremely normal life now and my device does NOT hinder me in any way.
Sorry
by Edouard - 2010-10-17 05:10:14
I was told that mine paced about 2% of the time.
Sorry about that
Edouard