Gurn

I am 81 and had a pacemaker fitted in December 2010
which has worked perfectly with no problems.
However, although it has a rate-responsive function it has never been switched on. I sometimes get out of breath when walking up hills and wondered weather switching on this function would help. I asked the technition about this and was advised that this was normal. I am never the less anxious to know why this should be the case and weather it would be reasonable for me to request that it should be switched on.
even for a trial period. Can anyone advise me.Gurn.
.

3 Comments

I am 100% paced after an AV

by janetinak - 2013-05-07 10:05:36

node ablation for Afib & my rate Response is on & after got adjusted (up 'cause I got more active) I feel great. What harm would it be to get it turned on & see if you feel better. I'd talk to the Dr not tech about doing this. Can always get it turned off again.

Janet

can't hurt

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-07 10:05:53

Why did you get the pm? If it was for av block, you shouldn't need rate response turned on because it can compete with your natural heart rate but that doesn't mean you don't have a secondary atrial problem that could benefit from rr. You have nothing to lose by trying it out. Have you checked your pulse when you get out of breath on the hills, see if your rate is up?

Another option is ask them to hook you up to the pm computer while on a treadmill in the office. Then you can quickly see what your heart does on exertion and if your rate is going up as it should.

H Gum

by IAN MC - 2013-05-08 07:05:37

I see that you are a golfer. I hope you don't have too many hills on your local course .

I guess your technician is right when he says that it is normal to get out of breath on exertion but it depends on how much out of breath and how challenging the hills are.

If you believe that you are getting abnormally out of breath then refuse to leave the technician / Dr until they have at least tried Rate Response ( there are different RR sensitivity settings, try the setting which gives you least help from RR and see what happens )

But there may be other causes for your breathlessness........... e.g age / lack of fitness / drugs/ your underlying heart condition ; but regardless of cause you need to persuade them to try to deal with it.

Best of luck

Ian

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

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