changing pace of pacemaker

My pacemaker is set at 60, I guess it is the lower limit.  My lifestyle requires me to be active and hence my doctor has advised me to change it to 72.  Can anyone explain what that means?

Does that mean that my pacemaker starts acting when my heart rate goes below 72 instead of kicking in at 60 which happened earlier?  I am slightly confused about the whole issue. Should I go for the operation?  Will it be a major surgery?

3 Comments

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by Tracey_E - 2012-06-04 09:06:35

Changing it usually just means changing the settings, which is done by computer, not surgery. Why do you have it? Depending why you have it, the lower limit may not even be relevant.

I'm confused...

by jenny97 - 2012-06-04 09:06:51

Changing the setting of your pacemaker from 60 to 72 should not require surgery. It is simply a change made through the computer during a pacemaker checkup appointment. It is not invasive at all. As you noted, changing the setting from 60 to 72 means that the PM will kick in when your heart rate goes below 72. Depending on your symptoms, this could be helpful. However, I don't really understand the reference to an active lifestyle, as a higher rate is not always required to maintain an active lifestyle.

In any event, if the doctors are talking about a surgery, you should definitely get more information.

Good luck!

Changing PM Settings

by SMITTY - 2012-06-04 09:06:59


Your pacemaker has two settings. One is the low setting and one high setting. Like you said the low setting is for your pacemaker to keep your heart rate from dropping below 60. I’m not sure I understand what your dr is talking about when he said since your activity makes you need a higher setting. However to change the settings on a pacemaker is no more than getting an EKG and takes about 15 min. IT DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY SURGERY. If your dr tries to tell you otherwise change Drs now!

Now there is a setting called rate response that is sometimes activated when a person is active and they need a faster heart rate quicker than their heart’s natural PM can give them,. But this too involves no more than changing some internal setting while hooked up to an EKG. Again no surgery is involved.

Good luck,

Smitty

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