pacemaker dependence

I went to my dr. today and got ok about pacemaker shifting. The problem I am now faced with is that my heart top is only working on its own 14% of the time, the bottom only 6% so the pacemaker is doing most of the work. what happens if the pacemaker has to do 100 % of the work? I was told not to worry that the battery had about 10yrs on it, does the pacemaker still do the job of your heart? all of my check up signs are perfect so i have no problems with any thing else. thanks for everyones help on the fliping issue.

4 Comments

Same here

by dad4dds - 2013-02-25 08:02:06

I am also 100% paced. Your pacemaker monitors your heart and makes it beat when it does not do it on its own.

batteries

by Tracey_E - 2013-02-25 08:02:32

And how much you pace is only one of many factors that determines how long the battery lasts. Safety margins, voltage, extra bells and whistle all affect battery life. Changes are super easy. I'm on #4. If I get an early appointment, I'm home fixing my own lunch. Don't lose any sleep over how long the battery will last!

dependence

by Tracey_E - 2013-02-25 08:02:45

Your heart is doing all of the work! All the pm does is make a small signal that mimics what your heart should be doing on its own, then your heart responds with a contraction that's the beat. As they adjust your settings and get it fine tuned for you that number will change. Many of us here are 100% paced and have been for many years. I've been 100% since 1994. There's no magic number that's good or bad, what matters is if you feel good. If you feel good, then you are pacing the right amount.

thanks

by samopat - 2013-02-25 10:02:02

thanks for your info, this helps a lot as I am new to pacemaker life, I am thankful for others that can give me support and advice, without this club I would be worried and would not know how to find others that have the answers to my questions. thank you for your answers!!!

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Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.