Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

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Irregular beats

I have a dual chamber Medtronic pacemaker and am now experiencing frequent pvc's . They are showing up as an irregular rhythm on the home blood pressure machine. I was recently having multiple rate drop episodes and they changed the settings . Has anyone ever heard of this occurring? Thanks for your help.

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Base rate

Hi there,

Yesterday I had my CRT-P pacemaker turned on for the first time since I had it put in on 9th May. I'd been having a lot of discomfort after the procedure as they has trouble getting the 3rd lead into place so it was decided to turn it off until everything had settled down. My AV node ablation is in 3weeks.

So I heard them say that my base rate is 60. 

My question is : do base rates vary? Because I've noticed when I sit down or when I lay down in bed la...

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ERI and voltage

My pacemaker is 11, almost twelve, years old. We've been doing more frequent checks for about a year. At the most recent in-office check a couple of weeks ago, I was told my pacemaker is now in ERI because the voltage is at 2.6v, although the estimated battery still reads 2-3 months. 

Although I've noticed voltage increasing in the last year or so, I'd never thought to question its significance to ERI. But now I'm curious. What is voltage telling...

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ablations

This is an update to my previous question about ablations.  The summary from my last quartely remote transmission on June 20,2022.

  States the Heath trends do not demonstrate significant abnormality.  There fore will  not look into doing anything further for the moment..  

thanks to everyone for their comments on my previous message.

new to pace

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Pacemaker settings

Had a check up today said my lower chamber was pacing at 100% and lower chamber at 84% going back in a couple of days to change settings on pacemaker because Dr said 100% was to high.....has anyone else experienced this ....I have had my pacemaker for almost 3 years

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White noise

I got my 3rd pacemaker may 21. The last 2 check ups nurse mention white noise on reading. Nurse stated leads should have been changed. My next appt I asked doctor he said they are ok. My leads are 21 years old. Anyone hear of white noise?

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Settings

Can someone explain the settings for AV block please. The EP was going to set mine to atrial only but when I explained my symptoms she set it to atrial and ventricular pacing at 60bpm. Not sure what this means and why? It certainly has got rid of all my previous symptoms so must be working. 

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Speaking of monitoring

I was on a once every 6 months schedule, but now that my pacemaker's battery has less than 6 months to ERI, I'm being asked to send transmissions more often.

I have the old style Merlin@Home transmitter which requires I sit down, put the donut over my pacemaker and press START. As the tranmission progresses, different icons light up with a series of beeping tones. It's done when the star icon lights up and I hear a rising C-chord of beeps. Takes about 5 minutes.

Y...

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Using the pacemaker as diagnostic tool

I need to take both medications: anticoagulant (have Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation) and antiplatelet (advanced CAD with 6 cardiac stents)

However, because of the high bleeding risk, this is not allowed to take both for long time.

I also have a pacemaker Medtronic Azure S with Bluetooth capability.

My question is:

Anybody having experience for using the pacemaker as diagnostic tool that allows the anticoagulant Eliquis to be taken as pill in the pocket? (only when...

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Pacemaker Home monitoring

I promised to do a post on this subject.  Some members have expressed a wish to know how many of us receive pacemaker home monitoring and the frequency?   I see Tracey_E has kindly set up a Poll for all pacemaker/ICD members.  You will need to log on to see the Poll and to cast your vote.  

I am in the UK.  I have home monitoring but my husband does not.  I therefore took the opportunity today of asking the cardiac technician during my husband’s pacem...

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Increase in right ventricle voltage threshold

Hello everyone,

Today my husband (83 yrs) had his annual pacemaker check at Kings College Hospital, London (UK).  His single lead pacemaker was implanted in March 2018 for bradycardia, heart block (Mobitz II/Left Bundle Branch Block) and occasional loss of consciousness due permanent Atrial Fibrillation (AF) with a very slow ventricular response rate.

We were told he has 5.5 years remaining battery life, although this of course is only an estimate.  He had no events (hig...

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PM times a pulse like EFI times a squirt.

Looking for information on how the PM's parts sense and chose when and what to output to the leads.  I can't help but look at my devise like I would the ignition and EFI in my bike and car.  There's good stuff on line but it seems to skip over what I need to know.  

I'm new to the club and impressed by the level of discourse here.  ICKABOD

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office visit not covered by Medicare?

I got my pacemaker December, 2021. All is great and I am feeling better. I went for my first 3 month checkup with my electrophysiologist and both Medicare and Anthem refused to cover the visit. What's up with that? I plan to call and ask why but wonder if this is common and maybe the claim was coded wrong?

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BPM

I had my BPM increased from 50 to 60 and feel much better, more active, less swelling of my lower legs and feet. How often can the MICRA be increased and by how much? What are some symptoms that indicate the need for a BPM increase?

Someone posted earlier that Cardura caused swelling of their lower legs and feet but those symptoms don't show up in a web search. Can you lead me to that information?

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Remote Check Notes

Hello All,  I had my second Remote Check for my dual chamber pacemaker.  I don't really understand what these numbers mean.  Is the purpose of this check just to show that the pacemaker is working correctly and how the the battery life is which is 12.9 years.  What does RA paced at 99.6%,  RV oaced at less than 0.1%, HX AF burden 0.1% all mean?  That is all it says.  No other numbers or notes.  Thanks!  Sharon

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Recent remote transmission question

So I'm 3 1/2 years in with my CRT-P, and post atrial flutter ablation. It appears that I am in atrial flutter for the majority of the time, which is why I am on Eliquis.

The report says "Episodes of AF/AFL shows occaisional undersensing with periods of pacing near max track. Review of presenting rhythm suggests RV paced beat comes before LV impulse. BIV pacing programed 0 offset. "

And then later on, the recommendation is to consider VVIR programing. 

So m...

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Two weeks after

Phrenic nerve stimulation, a rare complication of pacemaker:... : Medicine (lww.com)

had just about exact complications, and tech provided about exact voltage ajust to cure the problem.......finally feels great, no more body slams (so far!). Removed bandage and a couple of stitches, but never got any instruction about keeping the site clean! :(. Not sre to do normal shower/dry, or?...... Any advice from experience would be greatly appreciated.

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pain after checkup of heart and pacemaker

I am feeling an odd pain around the pacemaker implant site after going for my regular checkup for my heart and pacemaker.  They told me everything was good (I've had my pacemaker since April 8th of 2021).  That was on the 29th and since then I keep having little pains off and on when I move my arm and it's just around the pacemaker area.  Anyone else?

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Fast heart rate all night with biotronik CL S

Hi can anyone help, I got my Cls activated for the first time yesterday after starting off with just basic levels at 60 during the day, 50at night which was an improvement but didn't give me the quality of life I hoped for. I have chronic bradycardia due to brain injury but can mount a good response to exercise, am just not so good sitting still and can't stand in one place without fainting which is why I got the PM.

The Cls function was sold to me like it would be the dogs boll...

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Need help reading remote report

A friend who originally got a pacemaker because of vaso-vagal syncope asked me for help interpreting the following:

Scheduled remote reviewed. Normal device function.  
18 new VHR events logged 31 seconds to 12 minutes 25 seconds w/ rates 150's bpm; EGMs suggest SVT
AF burden <1%; longest 1 to 3 hours; V rate histogram shows ~90% binned >110 bpm; available EGM suggest SVT
Next remote 91 days. HB

Q. V rate histogram shows ~90% binned > 110bpm

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You know you're wired when...

You prefer rechargeable batteries.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.