Battery life

I am convinced that pace maker batteries are no different than car or flashlight batteries when connected to a load.  Had mine checked the other day and the interrogation report said 7 years left. The initial life was 12,5 years, exactly 2 years ago.  So my pace maker battery lost 5.5 years of "projected"  life in just 2 years.  The biggest decrease was in the first 6 months when it went from 12.5 to 8 years. Hopefully, the depletion rate will slow down in the future.  I know it is not an exact science, but pretty good, as my E.P and Medtronic tech  had me timed just right for replacement.  I was not in EOL or ERM very long (I think only a couple weeks?). I am 100% paced, so that might be like leaving the interior lights on in your car all the time?? So anyone with a pace make and planning a trip to Mars, be advised!!!!!  Good day to all and happy pacing!!!

                                Rodger AKA Sparky

3 Comments

battery life

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-03 13:46:57

The expected life is based on the settings at the time they did the estimate. It's more likely they changed some settings than you used it that much faster than expected. So, say the estimate is 12 years, they crank up the power a bit to get the heart to respond better, the number drops to 10 years with the new setting.

Actual pacing doesn't really use that much battery. It's more affected by the bells and whistles we use, the safety margins, how much juice it takes to make the heart beat, the condition of the leads, how much scar tissue is on the leads. I used to obsess over battery life but now I don't even pay much attention until it gets to the last year or two. It is what it is. I'm on #5, replacements are super easy. 

comparisons

by Cabg Patch - 2017-03-03 15:30:14

poor choice for comparison. Couple weeks ago I ran across town to my Cardiologist's. When I came out, my car was totally dead and I had to call the auto club. Hmmm, the high end battery I purchased two years ago was DOA and even the cardio couldn't resuscitate it. After another $160 for a replacement, I spent a small fortune having my car checked out only to find the bottom line was the battery died, went kaput, kicked off, croaked of it's own free will.

Here's the bottom line on the life of these...it's SWAG, a Scientific Wild A$$ Guess how long the battery will last. They could easily tell you the next time that it has 10 years left. Stop worrying about it until they tell you it's time to replace it...then call the auto club

battery life

by dwelch - 2017-03-13 13:59:58

I am facing pacer number 5 in the next few weeks.  I dont think a single one has lasted as long as predicted. at the same time the estimate printed out isnt that accurate either.  a combination of the voltage and the estimate they will start bringing you in more often and that can take a few years of that before you really need one.  Mine have all been 7-8 years despite supposedly saying they would go 10.  This last one is supposed to be 13 years, but I need a three lead now after 30 years of pacers, so am only like 3.5 years in and it is reporting 3 give or take, far shy of the 13 it was supposed to have.

It is what it is if you dont need new leads/and or they dont break any (or you dont break any) then the replacement is a morning in and out thing.  Every new unit is much smaller than the rest, comparing my first one to my current one is a big difference.

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