First pacer check, pacing at 37%

I was wondering for all ya'll out there who've had pacers for a long time, I got this question. I asked it before in one of my other posts but didn't really get an answer. At my first check-up, 1 week post implant, I was pacing at 37%. I was sort of surprised at that number, because it seemed kind of high. I guess I just wasn't expecting the pacer to pace that much, just once in a while. 37% sounds more like once in a while. It must mean that I must have really needed the pacer in the first place. Please tell me what ya'll think.

5 Comments

So....

by Angelie - 2008-09-09 04:09:19

I guess if the pacer wasn't pacing any % of the time than it clearly wouldn't be unnecessary, but I guess since it's pacing it confirms the necessity. ( I don't know- I think I might be in denial a bit. Or I feel like the docs are just trying yet another experiment that may or may not work)
I think the 37% pacing after only having it one week surprised me. I guess I really felt as if I didn't need it, or that it wasn't pacing much because I couldn't feel it. Now almost 4 weeks post-op, I get bad PVC's with position changes, or when my heart-rate rises, but I just try to ignore them and continue on.
-Angelie

yep

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-09 07:09:47

sounds like you needed it! A third of the time is not insubstantial. I think it's always a shock to find out how much we depend on them. I'm sorry to hear you're getting pvc's. Can they do anything about it?

I've always paced 99.9%. A few months ago I started having problems when I work out and we eventually figured out that I start beating on my own sometimes when I get my hr over 130. Whoddathunk after all these years?! So, I got all excited that I didn't need it so much anymore and when I went for my last check I asked what the percentage is now... 99.1%. I think I still need it LOL

Implications of % pacing

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-10 01:09:42

It isn't only the percent, but how that percent is distributed. Suppose you are shown as pacing only 1% of the time. If this is due to being paced 1 beat out of 100 and the pacemaker quit, you would hardly notice it. But 10% could also be missing 100 beats in a row out of 1000. If the pacer quit you would be without heart beat for at least a minute and would pass out. Clearly you are dependent.

Now take someone like me. My ventricle is paced 100%. However, when pacing is turned off (I have the Medtronic rep try it every so often at my checkup) my heart doesn't stop..it drops to about 35-40. I don't feel very good, but I stay conscious. So am I dependent or not?? When I get close to a battery change I will claim to be dependent so I can get it replaced before it quits.

frank

I know how you feel - sort of.

by ixdes - 2008-09-10 06:09:53

Hi,

when I had my first chekup I was told my PM was pacing about 2% of the time, and that was nothing. To me though it was a great shock as I had been told I needed the PM to stop me passing out, but that it would probably hardly ever be needed. My bottom rate is set at 40 bpm, so for me at the time, finding out it is pacing on average about 1/2 hour a day was a big shock. If some days it is not used at all, then other days it must be working quite a bit.

I have not got used ot the fact that I need my MC, and look at it from the point of view that for 2% of the time I am feeling a hell of a lot better than I did before. My wife says I look a lot better since having my PM, but she may be after a new handbag LOL!

Just try not to worry about it and let it do it's thing. It will get easier - honest.

Simon.

Pacing Percentages

by richan - 2008-09-14 05:09:00

Hi Angelie,
At my last visit with my PM tech, she showed me my printout. My top half is 100% dependent and my bottom half is 60% dependent.
I'm not exactly pleased with that much dependence!! However, it is still better than the alternative. I'm still very happy to get up every morning.
Hope things are going well for you.
Be happy and be well,
Richan

You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

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.