Rate Response Question

I believe my EP turned my Rate Response on during my last visit.
I was having episodes of A-Fib and she thought the rate response being turned on may help me achieve a more normal beat during A-Fib episodes. I was feeling pretty good and didn't notice any episodes for about a month. Like everyone else, I have been under a lot of stress lately and it's beginning to consume me. I started working out again to help alleviate my stress and to clear my head. I notice now that when I'm doing anything physical it feels as though my heart cannot keep up with my activity. When my body is demanding more from my heart my heart doesn't seem to be able to keep up. I do have a slight cardiomyopathy that may be causing this but I haven't felt it in the past. It is possible the rate response is causing this? This is the first time since they turned on the rate response that I've really pushed myself.
Any ideas???

3 Comments

maybe

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-08 09:11:02

Rate response senses motion and raises your hr accordingly. It could be that the sensitivity on the rate response needs adjusted, or the upper limit so you can get up higher. I'd call and ask to be checked, it's probably an easy fix.

Rate Respose Slope

by ppt - 2009-11-08 11:11:23

My Medtronic Dual Chamber has a setting for the slope of the Rate Response - how quickly the heart is to respond to requests for more metabolic support. My first setting was at Low, then changed 2 weeks later to Medium, then again changed 2 weeks later to Medium High and so far so good ! :-)) There is also a High setting but so far it does not seem to be necessary for me. Your EP should be able to help you a lot here ! Good luck ! :-)

rate response

by golden_snitch - 2009-11-09 01:11:39

Hi!

Could be that the upper rate limit is too low like Tracey said. Regarding the "slope for the rate response" ppt was talking about: it's not that the pacer will pace you more quickly when the setting is "high", instead you'll get the fastest response by the pacer when the setting is "low". That's because a high level of activity means that you are well trained, have a good endurance, and when this is the case the heart rate doesn't increase as fast as when you are not in such a good shape.

However, it might not be the rate response at all. If your heart rate gets faster than the pacer paces you, it will still do that, doesn't matter if the rate response has been switched on. So if you were doing well when exercising before, you might not even need the rate response. The rate response is just there in case your heart doesn't react properly to activity.

Best wishes
Inga

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