Repair of heart

Hi everyone, this is probably a silly question but I am quite new to this. September 2017 I was given a 2 lead pacemaker as a 'precautionary measure' as my healthy heart was beating at only 30 beats per min whilst resting. I had my 1st and only check up on the 28th December and was told the pm was working at 98%. I was rushed into hospital on January 6th as my lungs had filled with fluid and during 1 of many checks I was told my pm was now working 100%. I had to have a 3rd lead put in my existing pm on January 16th and was told on the 20th that it was now working at 98% again. So my question is....if my heart is getting 'healthier' does the pm percentage drop as it (hopefully) recover ??

Thankyou in advance

Catherine ;)

2 Comments

You pace what you pace

by Theknotguy - 2018-02-24 20:17:49

Don't get too hung up on the pace numbers.  You pace what you pace.  It isn't an indication of a "lazy" heart, just an indication of what the pacemaker has to do to keep you going.  I think I went from 40% up to 90%.  Part of that change was due to the rate they set - 60 beats per minute (standard setting) and the fact my heart was Bradycardic (slow heartbeat).

As for "healthier" that depends upon a lot of things.  Just remember, without the pacemaker, you might not be alive to worry about anything.  Just be happy the pacemaker allows you to keep going and to go for heart rehab.  

I don't know if the pace rate drops or not.  I'm four years into having a pacemaker and my pacing rate has stayed around the 80-90% the entire time.  I feel good and the battery should last another five years so I don't worry about it.  I've had more problems with the ribs they broke doing CPR than I've had with the pacemaker.  

Hope everything else goes well for you.  
 

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2018-02-25 14:18:35

Most of us with electrical issues have otherwise healthy hearts. The heart muscle may heal, but it's unlikely the electrical system will repair itself, two separate issues. About the only time that may happen (MAY) is if the lower heart rate was due to surgery, sometimes that will correct itself as the heart heals from the surgery.

As knotguy said, it is what it is, don't get caught up in the numbers. Even if they dropped a bit, you've got a long way to go before you didn't need it. Many of us pace here every beat, and have for years. If we feel good, that's what counts. 

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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