Does heart function improve with exercise?

hi there

I've just had my pacemaker checked, it's two years since I had this new one implanted, and it is my second pacemaker.

When I was having it checked, the technician noted that my heart rate was now 45 bpm, whereas, in the past, it was below 30, which I think, personally, is a fantastic improvement. I asked if this was due to exercise, as I have been exercising a lot recently,l and she said that she didn't know! I think that she was pretty new to the job, but wondered if anybody else had had the same experience?

I am 80% paced, and 35 years old, and hoping to try for a baby sometime soon.

:-)

Thanks
Becks

3 Comments

Does Does heart function improve with exercise

by ebfox - 2012-02-11 05:02:16

Hi Becks,

I think it may depend upon the condition that necessitated the PM in first place. In some cases, an autonomic rhythm restores to some degree and in others it does not. I am basing this on a comment one of the nurses made while I was in the hospital following my procedure. She said that she had seen cases where a PM was implanted and after some period of time the patient's SA/ AV nodes regained their abilities and the PMs were removed.

This would be a question for you to ask your EP (I am planning on asking mine the same question). Whether or not exercise has anything to do with it (or any other therapies) I would sure like to know.

And good luck with that baby-

EB

does heart function improve with exercise?

by rebeccamcgrath - 2012-02-11 05:02:38

Hi EB

Thanks you are most kind :-)

Well, I have congenital complete heart block, but I was completely asymptomatic, so, I had No idea that I needed a pacemaker until I admitted myself to A&E with delayed concussion.

I was told I had a slow heart beat, but I said that was quite normal, as I"d had it all my life, and then suddenly, I was whipped up to the cardiac ward, and the rest is just history.

I have no idea if my SA/AV nodes will ever regain their ability enough to have my PM removed, I doubt it, but who knows hey? Stranger things have happened :-)

I love my PM, and forget that I have it! It's only when I get it checked and they switch my pacemaker off that I remember what it was like pre PM, when my heart was around 49 bpm :-)

Good luck with your EP, and let me know how you get on :-) I've really upped my exercise of late, and i just wonder if one day I will be less than 80% or so dependent :-)

Who knows!

I'm dreading having new wires though! eeks, that's a whole new story :-)

Speak soon

Becks

45 versus 30

by Pookie - 2012-02-12 06:02:14

Do you mean that your heart rate was 40 when you were having our PM interrogated; where the PM Tech turns your pacemaker so low as to find out your intrinsic rate?

I've had my pacemaker since 2004 with oodles of interrogations and when they turn my pacemaker down to find my intrinsic rate (how low it will go without the aid of the pacer) mine has been all over the board: from the very low 30's to in the 50's. Probably depends on how long I've been sitting in the waiting area and/or probably depends on how long I get to lay down (and rest) before they actually do that part of the test, etc.

I guess an idea/suggestion would be to record your rate every time you have your pacemaker interrogated to see if it always stays above 30:)

A very good question for your EP if you have one, if not I'm sure your cardiologist could answer it.

Take care,
Pookie

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.