Rate Responder

I've read alot on this site about the Rate Responder. How it might need to be turned off and how to check if it's turned on but can someone explain exactly what it's used for? My PM has a bottom number of 60 and top number of 120. I thought between these numbers your PM did nothing.

Clarification would be appreciated!!

Debbie

8 Comments

Rate Response

by J.B. - 2011-03-28 10:03:32

The rate response feature on your pacemaker is activated by physical activity, such as walking running, etc. As we do those things we usually need a faster heart rate so the rate response increases the heart rate.

Your pacemaker is very much in the game when needed between a heart rate of 60 and 120. It is after the rate passes 120 that the pacemaker becomes a monitor only.

Some people do not neet the rate response because thier heart rate will increase as needed without help. If the rate response is on and tryhig to help it can get things confused and that why some are turned off.

Rate Response

by drashmore - 2011-03-28 11:03:15

How do you determine whether it needs to be on or not? I don't get the impression they can tell from you read outs at your checkups.

60/120

by Tracey_E - 2011-03-29 07:03:03

This simply means that the pm will not allow your heart to go under 60 bpm, that's the lower limit. Your upper limit is 120 which means it will not pace you faster than 120 bpm. Your heart can, however, go faster than that on its own. If you use pacing when you get up high and you are active, 120 may not be enough. They usually start us all there but many of us end up higher than that.

need

by Tracey_E - 2011-03-29 07:03:30

RR is for atrial pacing, so if most of your pacing is ventricular, you probably don't use rr.

You need rr on if your sinus node (your natural pacemaker) allows your rate to dip too low, or if it doesn't go up enough with activity. RR takes up the slack, determines when you are in motion and raises your rate for you. Most people with SSS use rr.

If you have an av block, a ventricle problem, most of your pacing is ventricular. The sinus node works just fine but the signal isn't making it through to the ventricles. In this case rr is usually not necessary. Sometimes they leave it on and it's harmless, other times it kicks in when you don't need it to and competes your own natural rate. I have av block and rr is turned off so it's never an issue.

RR

by drashmore - 2011-03-29 10:03:03

I go back in a month, I guess I need to ask more questions. It's a priority and learning process. The last time I was there it was a discussion on my BP and fast heart rate.

When I had the PM put in they said I was a Cardio Block 3. My atrial was working but my ventricular wasn't getting the messeage. My sinus node was not working. When I went to the Dr. last week he said my atrial is pacing 4% and ventricular 2%. That seems like a reverse.

There are just times I feel like my heart is picking up speed before I am. I think part of this is anxiety, of which I am getting a handle on.

Thanks

Rate Response

by J.B. - 2011-03-29 12:03:23

The pacemaker has an accelerometer, which detects body motion. Depending on the pacemaker it can have other sensors, such as detect increase in body temp., detect stress, etc, so they tell me. So far as I know the pacemaker does not say when the rate response is on, but does detect and record high heart rate. To check if your rate response is on check your heart rate and then tap your chest firmly a couple inches from your pacemaker for about 30 seconds. Wait a minute and check your heart rate. It will be higher if the RR is on.

report

by Tracey_E - 2011-03-29 12:03:41

When you go, ask for a copy of the report! A few of the guys here can tell you what all the numbers on it mean.

3rd degree block usually means 100% ventricular pacing because the signal never (or almost never) gets from the atria to the ventricle, so very little atrial pacing is needed. Sinus node not working is the opposite problem and usually means atrial pacing.

Picking up speed could be the rate response. It has a number of sensitivity settings and it can take a few tries to get it tweaked just right, so it goes up when you need it but not every time you sneeze. Or if you truly only have av block (many of us have a combination of more than one problem), you may not need it at all.

This is a learning curve! Don't be shy when something doesn't make sense. We're not professionals here but quite a few of us have been around the block a few times. I'm blessed with a pm rep and cardio who are wonderful about answering questions and explaining things to me.

i love my rate response!!!

by Hot Heart - 2011-04-02 07:04:14

when i really feel the benefit of it is when i need quick short bursts, like running upstairs, and i no longer get really breathless when i first start doing cardio, it used to take my heart a while to catch up with what my body was doing! lol. ohhhhhh.........and since i got rr on, my atrial fib has pretty much gone!

HH

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