Pacemaker setting question

Hello! For those out theandante a slow heart rate. I have NCS. What is the lowest setting that is acceptable? My resting heart rate is 54. Pacemaker is set at 60 and going of too much. I have no syncope sensations just feeling the pacer (Trixie) going on. I am running at 40%. I am going to a new EP Friday so just wanted some feedback. One EP told me we could go as low as 40. Thanks in advance for any feedback. Great to have a place to ask questions openly.

Thank you,
Caryn

2 Comments

Hi Caryn,

by sputnick - 2012-08-08 05:08:46

I don't know if it matters what you have the pm implanted for in the first place, but I have a lower limit of 50 and I do just fine with that. I currently pace 99% ventrically n 12% atrially. I had my pm due to 2nd degree heartblock, pauses of up to 10 secs, sinus node dysfunction n av node dysfunction, whatever they may be!
Like Frank says, it depends what your body can tolerate. There would be no harm in asking if you can try with a lower lower limit n see how you go on
best wishes Jan

Low limit

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-08 12:08:33

The lowest HR we can tolerate depends on a lot of things. I have mine set at 55 which is a few beats below my resting rate.Having it just below resting rate saves a lot of pacing and battery life. If yours were set to 50 you shouldn't pace during sleep or relaxing. Going any lower than your resting rate won't change.

The issue though is how your body tolerates it, and how the pacemaker increases it with exercise. I actually can tolerate as low as 30 without becoming light headed, but I feel lousy.

frank

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I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.