Rate responsive pacemaker

how pacers work

by Tracey_E - 2018-05-10 10:29:38

A pacemaker can make a slow heart go faster or an irregular heartbeat more regular. That's it. If the heart is going fast on its own, the only thing the pacer can do is watch. The only way a pacer might help is if you had an av node ablation but that's considered a last resort because your atria will still be going too fast and the ventricles will be dependent on the pacer. I assume meds aren't helping? 

Meds don’t work

by LemonPledge - 2018-05-10 12:39:21

No meds aren’t helping and after I have an ablation seems I’ve gotten a new arrhythmia or they are just showing their ugly head after ablation. 

I wish I could post a picture. When doing research and came across the rate responsive pacemaker it even says it can increase or decrease 

Comment was half cut off

by LemonPledge - 2018-05-10 12:40:28

Rate responsive pacemakers have special sensors built into the pulse generator that can sense increasing activity by means of increased body movement (vibrations) and/or increased rate of breathing. The sensors will automatically increase or decrease your heart rate according to your body's needs. Your pacemaker physician can "fine tune" the sensor(s) to meet your individual needs according to your level of daily activity. Rate responsive pacing most closely mimics the normal heartbeat.

Defibrillator

by Gotrhythm - 2018-05-10 14:04:00

I wonder if you're talking about a pacemaker plus defibrillator, called an ICD?

For some conditions they can pace the heart out of an abnormal fast rhythm, or they can deliver a shock that stops the heart, so that a normal rhythm can then be started.

That's all I know.

yes but

by Tracey_E - 2018-05-10 14:07:55

Yes rate response does all that, however when you slow down it only backs off. It doesn't have a way of stopping the heart from beating on its own. Pacers send a a tiny electrical signal, the heart responds by contracting. It doesn't actually beat for us, just stimulates the heart to beat. It's a gas pedal, not a brake pedal. 

Talk to your doctors, let them know how frustrated you are. Maybe ask how aggressive they've been with the ablations, if they've been conservative it's time to step it up. A risk of ablations is ablating too much and ending up with a pacer, but it sounds like that only doesn't scare you but might be your preference.  Make it clear you are that miserable.

Are you seeing a cardiologist or electrophysiologist? EP's are cardiologists that have advanced training in electrical systems and are a better choice if you're not with one already. 

I have a fast heart beat...

by Liza68 - 2018-05-10 18:58:42

Hi, i am liza(sorry if i make mistakes when i am writting i am from Romanian), i have a fast heart beat and the doctor put me a ICD last week so if you need one i think they will go for it maybe you dont need one! I have a ICD and 3 time a day meds so the best thing that you can do is to speak with your doctor about all your problems and what is best for you! 😊

icd vs pacer

by Tracey_E - 2018-05-11 22:14:46

A pacer will get your rate up. An icd is there as a safety measure in case the heart gets into a dangerously fast rhythm. It shocks the heart, sort of a reboot. All icd's are also pacemakers because sometimes the heart needs to be paced after a shock. They are not interchangeable.