It happened again today....

I posted recently in relation to this post, but it got hijacked :)

During another tough mountain bike ride, I reached over 160bpm. This is the 2nd time this has happened in the last 2 weeks. My device is set with an upper limit of 150bpm. In the past when I hit that number, I'd be pushed into a 2:1 and the crappy feeling most of know all too well. Anyway, I'm chugging along at 160bpm with no symptoms and I feel great.

I DO try to avoid hitting that high of a HR. Before, once I got to around 140bpm, I would feel something that would alert me that I'm close to the upper limit... that's not happening anymore. The only way I know is by looking at my monitor.

I had my routine device upload today and it didn't show any difference in my pacing percentages. No episodes of anything were noted (thank GOD)... 

Did something with my heart change that it is allowing my to go to a higher HR?

I'm not going to keep pushing it that high and will keep a closer watch on it. 

Thanks all!

4 Comments

Excellent news then?

by Gemita - 2023-10-12 03:11:21

I am sorry your last post was hijacked, but you ask such interesting questions that we can all relate to.  I believe your previous post on the same subject was initially answered very well by PacedNRunning.  When I saw your headline message just now, “It happened again today” I immediately thought it meant bad news, but actually it turns out to be the opposite.  I am really delighted that you are getting such good performance from your “own” heart now.  

Your comment “I had my routine device upload today and it didn't show any difference in my pacing percentages. No episodes of anything were noted (thank GOD)... Did something with my heart change that it is allowing me to go to a higher HR?"  

Did something change with your heart?  Well yes, you have recently had a new Aortic valve placed, you had a relatively recent CRT-D pacemaker implanted because of pacing induced cardiomyopathy and your Ejection Fraction has improved.  Also, what did your EP have to say and did they make any Settings changes?

It seems to me that you have certainly recovered well and are beginning to reap the benefits of a heart that is at last happy and in complete synchrony.  Since you have a defibrillator that would step in if your heart should ever struggle with a high heart rate, I am assuming that however hard you have been pushing lately on your bike, it hasn’t caused a problem and this is also confirmed by how well you feel.  You would certainly be getting symptoms if your heart was struggling to keep up with your exercise.  Your body will tell you when you need to hold back.

My thought is that it is your own heart that is finally able to do the work with the right level of support you are getting from your CRT pacemaker/new Aortic valve.  Your pacemaker/defibrillator will know the difference between a high heart rate caused by exercise and a high heart rate caused by an arrhythmia or other electrical disturbance, when it would immediately intervene and either drop your rate or give you a little shock to remind you that your heart may not be keeping up.  Perhaps your exercise induced heart block is now well treated with your new Aortic valve and with synchronised pacing.  As everything improves further perhaps your electrical disturbances will become a thing of the past?  

Continue to listen to your body and you won’t go wrong.  Great news USMC-Pacer.  What a response so far.  

Gemita

by USMC-Pacer - 2023-10-12 14:21:04

Thanks for your great comments.. You're right and I'm very thankful that I'm feeling great and progressing. I never realized that our electrical system can change as mine apparently has. Very encouraging :)

"Also, what did your EP have to say and did they make any Settings changes?" He basically said the same as others here have said. It must be my heart that is going faster. The deivice will only take me to my MTR of 150bpm. He said they would know more when I have an in clinic visit. I guess there's things they can test to see if there's any changes in my electical system. I was hoping the upload would show something, but as I stated above, I don't see much change.., other than NO EPISODES :)

So, I guess I'll wait to go to my IN clinic check-up and I'll report back. Thanks again, Gemita!

Above your upper limit

by Good Dog - 2023-10-13 08:03:27

When I first read your post, I wasn't sure if you were saying that hitting and going above 160 was a bad thing? Then I realized that it wasn't and you were just alarmed based on previous experiences. I have to tell you that when I was younger and much more active my pm upper limit was 140 bpm. My Doc told me that if and when I could get my heart rate above that it was a good thing. When playing basketball and running like crazy my rate would be so high that it was almost unreadable (at or above 170). I always take my pulse in my carotid. It always made me feel great (mentally) knowing that my heart worked well on its own on the upper end. It made me realize that there was no limit to what I could do! My problem had always been on the lower end anyway. So going forward my philosophy was always to listen to my body. I knew it would tell me if and when I had an issue and needed to slow-down or take a break. So congradulations on your new found youth! ENJOY!

Dave

Thanks Dave!

by USMC-Pacer - 2023-10-13 09:40:07

This is all new to me! Hopefully, I can put this nightmare "upper limit" to bed. It's been a thorn in my side for years!

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

Member Quotes

I am a competitive cyclist with a pacemaker!