1 week on a PM

This site is Great!
I really did not know what to expect with a PM.
So tonight I'm Googling "pacemaker/shortness of breath/blogs ... and I find you guys.
Biggest issue with me was bpm constantly in the mid 40's. OK if you are an athlete but believe me, I do not inhabit the carcass of an athlete.
So, basic rate is now at 60 bpm and all is fine. Big Difference in the way I feel, especially in the morning.
BUT ... I get up out of my chair and walk around and at that points it goes up to about 85+ bpm and i'm immediately out of breath. Not all the time but too many times to ignor.
I saw the practice's staff PM tech yesterday and he adjusted the high end down some but still not enough. I see the Medtronic rep next week and I'm hoping (based on the info I'm picking up here) he can get it down where it needs to be.

4 Comments

shortness of breath

by donb - 2009-01-24 08:01:15

Hi maryanne,
It's good to hear about your recovery. With all the variables with the newer PM's they can really do the job, too bad that in so many cases the settings aren't optomized. I really was happy with my Medtronic Enrythm but as Elecytric Frank explained about exceeding the top limit I found exactly what happens. I got to say it again, you guys really make this site. That goes for all of you supporters.

I'm still on my event monitor for another 10 days, learning a lot. Don't know what's in the future but I'm doing really well, rythm has been stable and of course I'm best with lots of activity. I'm getting used to the below 60 BPM at rest but I guess the monitor will tell all.
Thanks again Don

Like Frank said!

by BillMFl - 2009-01-24 09:01:55

My initial experience 7 years ago was much like yours. My cardiologist considered me an "extreme outdoors athelete". That was his definition in my records. I trained heavily, was very active in high altitude climbing and adventure trekking. My normal resting pulse was about 60, but suddenly became about 40 no matter what I was doing. Really good insurance paid for an in hospital 4 day battery of tests included cath that totally evalutated my cardiac situation. Slightly enlarged "athletes" heart, high ejection fraction 70% on echo, 67% on cath. No obstructive artery disease. Final dx of sick sinus sydrome. Received a dual chamber pm. Atrial paced 30%, no ventrical pacing so far. BUT, as frank pointed out, there is a function that most pms have that can sense movement or increased activity and kick in when you don't need it. This function really helps people with various stages of heart failure who need a boost to even get up and walk around. For those of us with healthy exercise capacity, that boost can cause all kinds of uncomfortable symptoms. When you explain your symptoms to your pacer tech, he/she can alter delay rates or shut that feature off. If I have uncomfortable pacer related symptoms, I don't wait for my regularly scheduled appointment. I call and get right in asp. Keep a little daily log of how, when and where your discomfort occurs and it will help the tech make the right adjustments. I just got a new Medtronic this week, had a long chat with the tech after surgery, and so far the pm has worked perfectly. Better than my old one for sure. Don't be shy and be your own advocate!!

Hang in there.

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-24 12:01:26

You probably have the infamous Rate Response turned on when you don't need it. Check it out with the Medtronc rep.

Also, ask for a copy of the pre and post programming report. It is very helpful if you need some help in understanding what is happening. Several of us here can help understand the readings.

frank

shortness of breath...

by maryanne - 2009-01-24 12:01:47

I just recently had my PM changed and had my PM check up..and like you I was very short of breath.

Let me preface this by saying I have had a PM for 24 years and this would be my 5th PM.

Anyhow I go for my appointment...tell her how I am feeling..you know what she did...she shorted my AV delay...what this does is make me more PM dependant but I don't feel the fluctuations of the HR .....I am generally in the low 50's...but prior to the adjustment I could go from 52 - 80' or 90's on simple exertion. Now with the AV delay adjusted I feel pretty good....no more lightheadedness...nausea....I was actually able to run for a few blocks today post open heart surgery....so all is good.

PM's have many adjustments in them that can suit your lifestyle and it might take a few visits to get it right for you...

welcome to the club...cheers.....Mary Anne

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.