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Can anyone tell what it means when the rate response is turned off. I have a St. Jude 2 lead for complete heart block.

2 Comments

Rate response

by Hot Heart - 2010-10-06 04:10:37

It means that the heart works on its own to raise the number of beats in response to exercise, whereas with it on, the pacemaker raises the heart rate when it senses you are exercising.

I found a difference with short bursts of exercise like running up stairs, with it off I got out of breath, with it on I dont.

This is a very basic explanation, am sure you will get some more technical info from those more in the know!

HH

RR

by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-06 09:10:31

As long as your sinus rhythm is OK meaning that your atrium changes rate with exercise as it should there is no reason to have RR turned on. With the block you have all the pacer needs to do is sense the atrial beats and pass them on the the ventricles. It is better to have it off if possible as there is nothing that can do as well as our own natural rate control.

frank

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