Hills and Stairs

I have had a pacemaker for 15 years and have been able to lead an active life with lots of physical activity: weighttraining, biking, swimming, vigorous walking, etc.

However, I get into trouble if I have to climb a moderately steep hill or climb stairs over one story. I find it helps to gently paddle my pacemaker, more or less in beat to my gait. It also helps if I swing my arms vigorously.

Isn't there a pacemaker out there that is sensitive to a hill/stairs and calls for faster pacing?

Hans van der Slagt

5 Comments

Pacemaker With Rate Response

by J.B. - 2011-02-13 10:02:54

Any pacemaker that has Rate Response should do what you want and it is possible yours has that feature. Since it requires separate adjustments from the other functions of the pacemaker it may be that the Rate Response it is just not adjusted properly to meet your needs. Ask your doctor.

So far as I know all of the current models have a rate response.

That sounds familiar!

by Edouard - 2011-02-14 01:02:19

I do between 4 to 5 sessions of intensive (+/- 3km) swimming per week and have no problem. Lately, however I've been severely short of breath and dizzy just walking briskly from point A to point B or climbing a flight of stairs. I saw my cardio this week and he believes that because of my SSS, I'm suffering bouts of tachycardia. Thankfully, the episodes are short lived and for the time being, we'll just keep an eye on things, with a holter being used in mid-March. I don't believe I have rate response - my PM is a Sorin Rely 2-lead unit, fitted on May 25 2010.
Regards
Edouard

Rate Response

by SMITTY - 2011-02-14 03:02:28

The primary "activator" for the rate response is an accelerometer which detects body movement, such as running or having the PM paddled. The RR also has other sensors to make it increase the heart rate, so they tell me. I don't recall all of them but I do remember body temp. and stress or anxiety.

If your is not increasing your HR when you walk un stairs, it should be and my just need fine tuning. Mine wasn't and it is now. In fact I can walk on level ground at a moderate pace and my RR will come alive.

Smitty

Stairs

by Angelie - 2011-02-14 11:02:34

I have rate response jacked up to the 9's, and it doesn't do a thing for stairs. I HATE IT.

Going up is one thing, and the rate doesn't increase. Going down, the rate does increase due to all of the bouncing.

Rate response still has issues, and I'm with you can't wait until they get it more "fine tuned".

m scott

by doublehorn48 - 2011-02-15 01:02:18

I've had several pacemakers over the years. They have been fine tuned and retuned. I always have trouble with stairs. I've always thought that the pacemaker just couldn't instantly sense my need for a faster pace and that it was simply behind. I usually pause and after a few seconds I quit breathing hard and I'm able to keep going without gasping for air. I always remember that the cardiologist promised me that he would get me back to 95% of the way my heart was before the viral infection that caused my problem. The hard breathing is simply the 5%.

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

Member Quotes

It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.