Settings range

Reading postings seems to tell me I should wake in the morning refreshed and ready to go. I don't. My PM is continually being adjusted to accept the fact that I am still a runner in training for a marathon. Settings are 50-150 for the PM. Adjustments for the upper end have been to loose(Hit 120 or so crossing the street) or to tight(can't even get to 100). We are fooling with the high end but I am wondering if the 50 could be too low for me, and that could be the problem. What does a higher low setting actually do for a user? Would a higher low end possibly be a benefit to me? I am 80, had PM for SSS about 6 months now and have been a competitive runner for almost 40 years(Yes, I have a knee issue as well. Mels

3 Comments

Great to be running at 80 !

by IAN MC - 2012-08-01 02:08:11

Hi Mels. ... I will rewrite your last sentence to describe me..... "I am 73, had PM for SSS about 11 months now and have been a competitive runner for around 35 years ( No I don't have a knee issue at the moment but, like all runners, have had periods of knee problems, cortisone injections etc etc )

My lower limit is also 50 bpm but that setting may, or may not, be right for you. What was your resting HR before you had heart problems ? If it was way above 50 , then 50 may be too low.If the setting is too low for you then you will not be getting enough oxygen to all the organs in your body and chances are that you wil feel more tired than you should. A big problem is to ask yourself the question " How should 80 yr olds feel ? ". I never know if I am tired because I am 73 and am very active or are the PM settings not at optimum?

The upper limit is something of a minefield ; cardiologists will throw various formulae at you to determine your maximum HR... 220 minus your age etc etc. To get it raised at the age of 80 will need all of your persuasive skills but if you are a really fit guy , 150 may be too low.

I suggest that you do a treadmill test then the docs may realise that you are not like the other 80 yr olds who they see. I assume that in your various setting adjustments they have played around with Rate Responsiveness and the activity settings, if not, that is something you could explore.

But I guess you may need to do a reality check. You are 80 yrs old with an electrical problem in your heart. It is possible that this is as good as it gets, if you strongly feel that this is not the case then push the docs to resolve your problem.

Best of luck

Ian

Lower limit

by ponch - 2012-08-01 02:08:51

I am 70 and have been a competitive runner since the mid 70's. I had a defibrillator implanted because of vtach 4 months ago. When it was implanted, the tech who was making adjustments stated that the "ONLY THING" the device will do is jolt me if my heart rate reaches a certain upper limit. At my first interrogation, at a different hospital, that technician said my pm was working 35% of the time!!??? I asked how that was possible, as I received no jolts. Her response was that it was pacing me in the evening to bring my heart to 60 /min. Well my resting pulse has been 50 to 55 for the last 30 years and I requested lowering the lower limit. She said she will check with my cardiologist, so we'll see. My motivation is that I don't want to use up the batteries needlessly.

settings

by mels - 2012-08-07 07:08:26

Thank for the advise and opinions on my settings question. Unfortunately for me I am on hold for a few weeks from training- suddenly popped a hernia and am having surgery. Be back soon, Mels

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