pacemaker settings

Can anyone tell me how and when pacemakers are set for an upper limit. I have just had mine adjusted because I was getting breathless when doing tasks like gardening and also I want to be able to walk in mountains. I have noticed that, since the change to my pacemaker setting, my pulse is now always between 70 and 80, thus never triggering my pacemaker which is set at 60.

1 Comments

It Might Depend?

by Many Blessings - 2013-02-10 11:02:44

Hi Martyn,

Mine was set right away, as soon as it was put in. I had an AV Node Ablation, so I am 100% dependent & paced. I'm not sure if that matters or not.

My initial problem was chronic uncontrolled high rate A-fib (rate was extremely high during the day and never went below 100 even during sleep 24/7.) Because of that, my AV Node was ablated and a CRT-P was put in. My range was set initially set at 90-150 bpm since my heart won't work and doesn't have a range on it's own. It's now set at 80-150.

Again, it may just depend on what your PM was put in for and how well your heart fluctuates on it's own. Does it ever go up over 70-80 on it's own with exercise or activity? Or, always stay there since the change? I'd let your doctor and PM tech know what's going on and your concerns about walking in the mountains with your rate this way.

There's a lot of others out here who will know and tell you for sure what's going on, so hang in there for some more answers.

Take care

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I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.