Just Do It

Hi all, I have been in and out of this room many times since I had my first pacer. It was installed in Spring of 20001. In 2006 I had a replacement. Now - July 2009 - I am told I will have to have my third one sometime around Spring 2010. I have a Guidant 1290 and it seems it is doing its job. I have never had pain or any complications - ever. BUT my pacer now is pacing 100 % and I wonder why it is this way. The first pacer lasted five years and now this one will have to be replaced after 4 years. I used to be a runner but blew a knee out so I got into bicycling about 11 years ago.I ride hard and never have I felt any discomfort. So, I wonder why all of the sudden my pacer is pacing all the time. One thing I know and that is I will make an appointment to see my heart Doc.

2 Comments

Increasing %

by ElectricFrank - 2009-07-15 11:07:04

One common reason for a change in % pacing and battery useage is the settings. At implant mine was left at the factory defaults with Rate Respnse On. In this mode the pacer determines your HR based on body movement. If the pacer determined rate is higher than your natural rate it takes over and forces pacing. If the pacer rate threshold is set too low it causes unnecessary pacing which increases the %. This also increases battery drain.

Another thing to keep in mind is that whatever caused the problem leading to needing a pacer may be progressing. The pacer doesn't repair the heart. It just supplies support to work around the problem. I checked your profile and you are 2 years older than me. At our age no matter how healthy we are the old body starts to change.

A related item is that as our heart becomes accustomed to being paced (or gets older) the required pacing voltage increases. While this doesn't affect % pacing it does add drain on the battery.

I'm just happy to be able to be as active as I am at this age. I do Jeep runs in Sierra's or Rockies and often hike around old ghost towns at altitudes over 10,000' .

best,

frank

just do it

by cyclebob - 2009-07-16 10:07:01

Thanks for the response folks. I saw my Doc yesterday and he said the sane thing. That being the heart is a little older and requires a little more attention. I cleared all situations with him and at 81 I am in very good shape - well, gotta go for a 30 mile spin on my bike........ Thanks

You know you're wired when...

Your favorite poem is “Ode to a Cardiac Node”.

Member Quotes

Life does not stop with a pacemaker, even though it caught me off guard.