Too low a runing rate

Am an 80 year old who has been and is very active as a marathon runner. Fitted with a Boston Sci. PM a few months ago. Have made several adjustments with the 50/150 current setting. Problem is it is virtually impossible to get the rate even up to 90. I can go forever at 4.2 mph walking or running with a rate of 84, but almost never can get it higher. Also have experienced at 5.0 or so, a sudden drop to mid 70's which almost causes me to drop. Trying to understand, is this a PM setting problem or possibly a conditioning problem.
Mels

6 Comments

Hi Mels

by Pookie - 2012-06-30 07:06:52

I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your question, but I know I have read about this issue quite a few times on this site.

Until some of the members who have experienced this chime in, there is a "search" located in the upper right hand corner of this screen - perhaps if you type in the words "rate drop" you will find what you are looking for.

Have you had a stress test (on the treadmill) so your doctors can see what is happening?

Good luck & keep us posted.

Take care,
Pookie

Heart Rate and Rate Resdponse

by SMITTY - 2012-06-30 07:06:59


Hi Mels,

My guess is you have a PM setting problem. I'm 83 and while I do not attempt marathons, I did have a problem with low heart rate with exercise. When depending on the heart's natural pacemaker only I can not get a rate above 90. To solve that problem I had the rate response turned on with the high set point set at 110. Now I have no problem getting a rate in the low 100s. If your rate response is not on I suggest that you talk to your dr about turning it on.

If you are not familiar with the RR it is a feature to give us a faster HR when needed and it can be started or stopped while getting a PM checkup and its settings can be changed as needed.

Good luck,

Smitty

rate response

by Tracey_E - 2012-06-30 09:06:56

What Smitty said. It sounds like the sensitivity needs to be adjusted on your rate response. Good luck! Sounds like you're in marvelous shape, don't let this hold you back.

Check this out.

by ElectricFrank - 2012-07-01 02:07:47

What is your HR at the point just before it hits you? The upper limit is not only going to keep your HR from going higher it does it causing it skip beats. So at the point where you are using your hearts output to support 5 mph your HR could suddenly become erratic and drop.

It's also possible that your hearts electrical system won't support the higher rates due to aging.

Mine is set to 150 as an upper rate, but my natural limit is somewhere in the 135 range. I'm 82. I just want to handle my own limit as I would have without a pacer.

frank

frank

Thanks for advice

by mels - 2012-07-03 04:07:09

Thanks Pookie, Smitty, Tracey, Frank, and Idebaugh for your advice. Sensitivity adjustment of PM hits a bell and will be with the tech on this.
Mels

Same problem w/St. Jude

by ldebaugh - 2012-07-03 11:07:58

I'm 66 and have had my PM since 2/2012 with the same complaint. I'm 100% paced, ventricles only. I've had multiple adjustments and am going in for a treadmill test on 7/5. I walk early in the morning (otherwise it's way to hot here) and take my pulse, until today it never went over 107 on my very hilly terrain. Usually I'm horribly sob and must stop multiple times. Today for some reason it went up to 128 and i could breathe!!

Either the PM functioned correctly for once or maybe my atrium coincidently was coordinated with my paced ventricles for once which allowed the RR to go higher. I'm going to be checked out for pacemaker syndrome, could this be your problem? Or are our PM just being quirky?

This PM is definitely for a couch potato, and that's not me.

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

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