Does anyone have the rate drop feature

Hi,

I have had a pacemaker for a couple of years now for AV block type 2. Rate response is off and I am using the pacemaker about 8% of the time apparently.

Last week, I had an episode of syncope that resulted in some significant facial injuries. I cut and broke my nose (it now points due East). I was on holiday in Japan at the time and was unable to get my pacemaker checked out there. I did have an interrogation done as soon as I returned to the UK. The pacemaker checked out OK and had not recorded any significant incidents.

I have just received a call from the pacemaker clinic and they have offered to turn on the "rate drop" feature of my pacemaker. I understand that it means that the pacemaker will increase my heart rate should my heart rate suddenly drop below a set minimum in a certain timeframe. They suggested that it could possibly prevent future episodes of syncope (no guarantees). I often suffer mildly from postural hypotension (feeling dizzy if I stand up quickly from sitting etc).

I was wondering if anyone else had similar symptoms that had been relieved by enabling the rate drop feature of their pacemaker?

Thanks

Mark








4 Comments

worked for me

by Tracey_E - 2015-04-23 09:04:27

Oh ouch!! And to have it happen on vacation in front of your son, how awful.

I passed out the week after I got my first pm for av block. I'd always been in block and had a low rate so we never knew that sometimes my atrial rate took a nosedive. Rate drop response kicks in when this happens and I haven't had trouble since they turned it on. It just watches for drops that are too fast, so it doesn't stop my rate from coming down slowly after a workout. It's just there for the sudden plummets. The pm can't do anything about bp drops, all it can do is keep your heart rate up. I still get dizzy with fast postural changes but it's more annoying than dangerous. I've never passed out from it.

I should add

by ma_ku - 2015-04-23 09:04:30

I have never fainted outright before. I was taking a (very) hot bath when I started to feel dizzy, so I got out to sit on a bench. The next thing I know, I am waking up with blood everywhere and my son screaming for mummy - she had gone to call an ambulance. The bath had been preceded by a large meal and taking all into consideration, I am not surprised at a sudden drop in blood pressure in the circumstances.

I agree

by ma_ku - 2015-04-23 10:04:50

It was a family party at a Japanese hot spring resort. My mother-in-law kept hassling my wife for us to go and use our alloted hour in a private spa. The food was still being served!

Cue mother-in-law gags..

worked for me too

by scott02467 - 2015-06-21 11:06:23

I was diagnosed with heart block on top of a right branch bundle block so needed the PM just to ensure connectivity, but also have vasovagal syncope which has me blacking out when dehydrated, when even a bit caffeinated (the latter solved by going strictly decaff even for tea) or overextended physically (e.g. large lunch followed by lot of physical activity). My cardiologist chose the St Jude PM because of the rate drop and fuzzy logic which works...when the PM sees my heart rate drop suddenly from a pattern that was in place (e.g. some minutes of exertion or higher heart rate from caffeine), then the PM kicks in. The result is no more blackouts and I can, occasionally, enjoy a cup of coffee even. So yes, it was a great feature for me.

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