questions"

I received my pacemaker on January 1, 2013. due to heart block. I have an exhausted feeling most days Doctors have cut the Lopressor I'd been taking for 20 plus years, from 50 mg twice a day to 25mg twice a day Last week the cardio doctor thought I could be dehydrated and stopped the water pill I had been on for years. This has seemed to help, but still tired . I turned 70 a week before surgery and had led a very active lifestyle. No doctor seems to think anything is wrong, just time will help. My settings are 60/120 I know my rate can't go below 60, but does this mean it can't go over 120? A stupid question I know, but no one has explained it.

2 Comments

PM Settings

by SMITTY - 2013-02-27 11:02:47

Hello Jean

Like you say your heart rate can't go below the PMs low setting of 60 because the is where the PM steps in and keeps the rate at least that fast. As for the upper set point (in your case 120) generally speaking, when your heart rate reaches that level the PM steps aside and is just a monitor. It continues to monitor so long as your HR is above 120 but gets back into play whenever the rate drops below that point. As for how high your rate can go, it will go as high as the heart's natural PM thinks your activity needs.

Regards,

Smitty

rates

by Tracey_E - 2013-02-28 08:02:13

There are no stupid questions!

If you have block, that means your sinus node (nature's pacemaker) is working normally, all the pm is doing is completing the broken circuit when the signal to beat is blocked on the way to the ventricles. It won't let you go under 60 but odds are you won't anyway because your sinus node works.

Upper rate of 120 means it will only pace you up to 120. Your heart can go faster on its own. If you are active and don't feel well, suddenly get very tired or legs feel like lead or dizzy, check your pulse. If it's exactly 120, then your atria may be going faster but the ventricles are pacing so they can only go 120. If that's happening, they can turn that number up higher if needed.

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

I am active and healthy and have been given a second chance.