Impedance alert??

At my last check up in march my dr became concerned because my impedance line was on a downward curve. He briefly said that usually means heart failure. He said we would watch it and he thought it maybe a false reading because I had lost 20 lbs. can someone explain the impedance line and how it works?

Recently I have been have more shortness of breath while working out and while jogging I feel fine up until I stop to walk and then feel like I may faint. I have to urinate more at night and have noticed skipped beats that take me down into the upper 40's heart rate. I feel dizzy until heart rate returns to high 50s.

Background on me: I'm a 30 yo female with icd for long qt syndrome. My last echo was 5 years ago and showed ef of 50% and mild tricuspid valve regurg. Had an ablation done 2 years ago for svt.

Thanks for your help.


4 Comments

OptiVol?

by golden_snitch - 2014-07-16 04:07:31

Hi!

I can only guess that what your doctor is referring to is not the lead impedance, but to a feature that allows your device to measure your fluid status (fluid build-up in your lungs). This feature is called OptiVol, and it's available in some Medtronic devices. It works by measuring intrathoracic impedance. Medtronic has some very detailed information on this online at:

http://www.medtronic.com/for-healthcare-professionals/products-therapies/cardiac-rhythm/therapies/unique-features/optivol-fluid-status-monitoring/#tab2

Hope this helps!

Inga

diuretic

by georgeazarmitchell - 2014-07-16 11:07:24

are you on any diuretics?

diuretic

by georgeazarmitchell - 2014-07-16 11:07:24

are you on any diuretics?

Additional info

by pattibish - 2014-07-17 11:07:06

Not on any diuretics.

You know you're wired when...

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

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