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Replacement

Had my first pacemaker implanted in 2009, and I thought everything was going great. This was a two lead device, and the lower lead went bad a couple of years ago. We continued to monitor the device, both at home and physical visits at the doctor's office. Two months ago I did my home device check, and two weeks later I got a call from the doctor for an appointment, and since I didn't have one scheduled, I almost refused. Well went in, and the Medtronic Specialist did her thing, and the doctor c...

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Rate response settings too low?

Does the rate response setting of a dual lead pacemaker affect sporting? My PM rate response is set between 60 and 140 bpm. When I am cycling I have the feeling that 140 bpm is too low. It is not my maximum heartrate because I am not running out of breathe at that rate. At least 150 bpm should be better but I don't know if that upper setting of RR at 140 bpm is limiting my max heart rate during cycling. Is there anyone who could explain the effect of rate response and sporting to me?

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biotronik evia dr-t

Due to damage during ablation/flutter/av node reentry/6 ablations total, I have now had my av node ablated due to pacemaker syndrome/av dissociation/dyssynchrony/tachycardia history plus 3rd degree heart block. I am 45 female and very active, working out intensely 3x a week with walking 2 other days, struggling with hypotension and lightheadedness during exertion. During a stress test my blood pressure dropped to 68/40 almost fainting due to several skipped beats in a row, still having av dyssy...

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Scared Today

I got my pacemaker 3 weeks ago and at that time was told that I would never pace from the ventricle unless I was in heart block or had a heart pause.

My pacemaker was for bradycardia, to prevent sudden drops in heart rate, one heart pause, and hypotensive fainting (the Biotronik also helps spike heart rate in response to changes in cardiac output/low BP).

My maximum is 155 and my minimum is 80. Today as I was walking I was paced at 155 consistently. Eventually I got over...

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Question RE defib replacement

Hi all! I'm wondering if anybody could shine some light on how far in advance you were notified you'd be getting an ICD replacement.

Some info:

After a cardiac arrest event, the Cleveland Clinic discovered I had long q t syndrome. I got a St. Jude defib implanted August 2008. I go for check ups annually. I'm about to need a new defib. I usually send a remote transmission annually (and visit the CC once a year) but I'm now sending transmissions about every 4 weeks. I was to...

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checkups

I had a two wire pm and would be phone checked every month with a physical check every quarter. just had a new three wire boston scientific inserted and not required to get tested for 6 months. Any ideas why the difference?

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OMG! Is 2G sufficient

Interference from cable land line and distance from router to bedroom necessitates transmitting my heart data via cell. The provider St Judes uses, uses T-Mobile and AT&T, are unavoidably 2G. No higher G available that St Judes uses.

Assuming brand of medical equipment is irrelevant, is there any reason why 2G is NOT sufficient to transmit "basic" heart data from ICD to the clinic?

Anyone out there with positive experiences using 2G? Anyone with negative? Thanks!

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Top Heart Rate Setting

Went for my six week checkup post implant and everything is good. I have a 1/2 AV heart block, so the top of my heart paces the bottom. They have my pacemaker set to not let my heart beat less than 60bpm or greater than 130bpm. So if I understand it correctly, if the top of my heart beats 140bpm the bottom will not exceed 130bpm.

Before my pacemaker I couldn't exercise very easily, now enjoy walking again. I'm 53 but ~30# overweight (although I don't look it according to my wife...

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PM give me a funny feeling

I had a PM fitted recently because of Brandacardia I have 38-9 HB
the Soran unit fitted, set a tick-over rate of 60 - 7- variable, and my own signal is supposed to take over after that,
I Initialy had the unit set to accelerate as needed, but I found I walked across the Rd with my dog and my pules was at 110; and felt like butterflies inside,
the Tech said ho you'll get used to that, But NO way it was terrible, he called it PACING the bottom chamber, I couldnt stand the feelin...

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Wondering

I'm on my 3rd pacemaker in almost 20 years and am always mindful to ask questions if I don't understand something during pacemaker interrogations but one thing I've noticed on the printout is "no episodes." What exactly does that mean? I did ask once and the technician said cardiac episodes, but what constitutes a cardiac episode on a pacemaker?

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magnet rate

How strong of a magnet is needed to make the pacemaker enter magnet mode? Are we talking like ice box magnets or what?

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I think I may have messed up

I am turning 21 in less than a week. I had a pacemaker implanted in 2012 when I was 18. I vowed to myself that I would not let this define me as the "guy with a pacemakeer". I went to my follow up check and sent in a reading at the 3 month mark. Then I lost insurance for a while and then got too busy! I now work at oreilly auto parts and they don't know that I have a pacemaker. Lately, It seems as if my heart is racing! I live 5 hours from my pacemaker doctor and am a student so I cannot just d...

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staples

Hi everyone! I am so glad to have found this site! I am 56 and had my pacemaker unit put in 10 days ago. I go Wednesday to my first checkup to have staples removed. My pacemaker site is very sore under the bandage( I can only imagine what it looks like) My question is , does it hurt to have the staples removed?

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Symptoms during pacemaker check

I recently had my 6 month pacemaker check and every time the test that slows down the heart occurs, I get very dizzy and have trouble breathing almost instantly and they have to stop that test. Every other part of the check up is fine. I was wondering if anyone else had this and if you think this will be problematic when it;s time to replace the device in about 2 years. Thanks.


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about fine tuning

I seen a message or quote the other day
the person mentioned something about
fine tuning .
when you say that , did they adjust your heart rate ,
when I went down my heart was only beating
40 beats per minute, now it's set at 60.
my question is , what else can they adjust ?

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Wondering

I was wondering does a pacemaker response to anxiety and hyperventilation? For instance you are lying on the couch and you are watching a scary movie does your pacemaker know it has to increase the heart rate?

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Update

It has been almost 10 months since I got my 5th PM.....I had it done the day before Thanksgiving 2013. I just got my PM checked the other day. Very good news. My upper lead is working 1/3 of the time and the bottom lead is working all of the time. I still have 10 1/2 to 12 1/2 years left on the battery. My PM that has been the longest has been 8 1/2 years. I had that one fitted in January 1997 and replaced in July 2005. I have complete heart block.

Becky

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First checkup after implant

I'm having my first follow up visit this week, 12 days after getting my pacemaker. I know the rep (Medtronics) will be scanning my device. When she did it initially at the hospital I was still recovering and didn't ask a lot of questions. Now that I am more with it, I'm wondering what type of detail she is going to be able to give me on how my device is working? Will it just be % paced? Or will they be able to see when it is being used more (i.e. at night?). What kind of info can they print out...

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Tired a lot of the time

Hi everyone,

I am three weeks out from having a dual pacemaker installed. I feel great, except they have set it so my heart rate does not fall below 60. I am tired two hours after I get up. I am taking naps everyday, which I never did. My follow up with the PM manufacturer person is not for another month. Is anyone else experiencing fatigue?

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PaceMaker self tests

Hi, I am new to the Club and have only had a Biotronik dual lead for 10 months to try and help me with my Atrial Fibrillation as I am intolerant to most Heart drugs.

I am curious to know what my pacemaker self tests are and how often are they implemented as I fell sometimes that I notice them in action . Or is my imagination ?
I am rather sensitive to any irregular heart beats.

Perhaps some one can advise me please ?

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