Hitting the top limit

Just had PM fitted for very low HR. Been running for 30 years, PM has top rate set at 150, I am likely to go above that. Can anyone tell me what happens when you do? What does it feel like?

8 Comments

Also a runner

by parmeterr - 2011-11-06 04:11:11

I would think it would depend on your age. Based on the fact that you have been running for 30 years, I have assumed that you are in your 50's. Max target heart rate is 210 less your age.

I was 43 when my first pacemaker was implanted. Also had a top limit of 150 bpm. Have run half marathons, 10 milers, 10Ks, 5Ks, and mile runs on it. Never have come close.

I would think the pacemaker would prevent the heart from exceeding the 150 bpm rate and thus hinder your running performance.

I suggest that you talk with your cardiologist at your next appointment and discuss your concerns. Mine is very open and encourages exercise. Your cardiologist can tell from the computer printouts what your heart rate has been and for how long. Ask to look at the histogram.

Hope this helps.

Richard


Upper Set Point On PM

by SMITTY - 2011-11-06 05:11:01

Hello Noelp,

As you know a PM will keep your heart rate from going below the low set point. When your heart's natural pacemaker sends the rate above the upper set point (in your case 150) the PM becomes a monitor only. It will do nothing but monitor your heart function and gets back into the game, if needed, only when your heart rate drops below that upper set point. You should feel nothing before, during or after, but if you do, some of the settings probably need tweaking.

Good luck,

Smitty

Thanks

by Noelp - 2011-11-06 05:11:58

Thanks Smitty - makes sense, I think I will feel more confident pushing harder, already done some light runs.

Been there ...

by admin - 2011-11-06 08:11:36

My medtronic adapta was programed a few years ago so when my heart wanted to go higher than my upper limit (140 bpm), the pacemaker would only send every second beat to my ventrical. This was to prevent my heart from going into vtach.

When I skied or exerecised and my heart needed to go beyond 140, the ventrical would actually drop to 70 bpm because evry second beat in my atria was blocaked from going to my ventrical. It felt like I hit a brick wall and my legs turned to rubber and I ran out of breathe.

My pacemaker technician regrogramed my device and now my ventrical will not go higher than 140, but will not drop to 70. I encourage you to discuss this with your doctor or technician.

Blake

Thanks

by Noelp - 2011-11-07 01:11:10

Wow, first time using this blog and such a speedy and helpful set of replies, thanks everyone.

Yet another runner !

by IAN MC - 2011-11-07 05:11:34

Like you, I have been running for over 30 years. Isn't it interesting how many messages on this PM forum seem to come from runners.

I've often suspected that running is bad for you ( you know the feeling on those never-ending hills on cold mornings) . It used to be believed that the human heart had a finite number of beats in its lifetime ; perhaps they were right and runners use them up more quickly than non-runners. In my next life I'm going to sit on my arse all day and watch TV. !

When I told my cardiologist how much running I've done he told me that it was a psychiatrist and not a cardiologist that I needed ( but he is a runner himself ! )

Best wishes

Ian

upper limits

by Tracey_E - 2011-11-07 06:11:18

How you feel when that happens will depend on why you have the pacemaker. There are a number of things that can cause a low hr. As the others said, if your heart goes above the upper limit on its own, the pm will just sit back and watch. It doesn't care if it goes faster, it's only there to add beats when it's too slow.

If you are paced atrial and need the pm to raise your rate for you, such as for SSS or another sinus dysfunction, the pm will only take you as high as your upper limit.

If you have a block, where the atria beats normally but the signal doesn't make it through to the ventricle, then the atria can go as high as it wants but the pm will only pace you ventricle to your upper limit. Like Blake, this happened to me and it was fixed with programming. When the atrial rate gets higher than the ventricular rate, I usually feel tired and winded. I ease back a bit until my rate comes down then get back at it. If you feel symptoms, check your pulse. If it's around 150, ease up. If it's dropped way down, stop! It's hard on the body to be exerting and have your rate suddenly drop. Ask to have your settings checked because they can program around it. Also, the upper limit can probably be raised higher than 150. Mine goes to 180 and there is one medtronic model that goes to 220.

Best not to push it above limit

by ElectricFrank - 2011-11-08 02:11:43

As others have mentioned the Upper Limit is enforced by skipping beats and if you push hard enough it may skip every other beat. It feels lousy and in my opinion it isn't good for you either. Right at the time when you are putting out a lot of energy your HR drops. There is also an over shoot effect when you stop the exercise. For me I find that my HR overshoots by about 5bpm when I stop so I need to keep my exercise rate about 5 below the limit.

The trick here is to have your Upper Tracking Limit set to a value that not only reflects your age, but also your very high enough that you will never hit it and then use an external monitor to keep it reasonable. This is what I have done. I am 81 yrs old, but have my upper limit set to 150. That way I can use my own judgment in how hard I push it.

You may have a bit of a conflict with the cardiologist on this one though. I had to be pretty firm about it. Like I told the cardio "I would rather drop dead from cardiac arrest that be eaten by a bear in the campground."

frank

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