looking for options for running

I posted a like to my settings on my profile page, I've tried varrious ways to copy and paste them but not smart enough to make it happen, so here's my issue, I haven't been on for a long while as I gave up fighting the system and have left those settings untouched for about 8 mths now,
When I run my HR increases most times to 160-170 range for up to 8-12 maybe even 16 mins then will come down to 90-100 and stay there untill I fight through shortness of breath till I finish my 4 mile 9:30-9:45 min pace run or stop to walk a few secs 10-15 once I do this my HR will not raise and I walk jog in to finish. Then if I did have to walk my next 2 to 3 runs are terrible. HR stuck below 110,,, if I wait a couple a days or go out and push through 1 breathless run without stopping then something resets and I get several days of Ok running. There is never a time when I feel that I'm getting in shape feeling and runs are getting easier. The effort is always high with the run just short of anaerobic . I've been in and out of MVP mode among others. I can go out for my normal 4 mile run and run fast from the start 8:00 min pace and run/walk with 16 to 20+ short walk intervals and HR stays up in 150's and I'm run a min to a min half faster per mile and finish time is 4 to 5 mins faster, so that leads me to believe I'm in good shape but the PM is some how acting like a governor on a car,, thanks upcoming appointment in a couple days this Friday june 26,2015

5 Comments

Wenkenbach maybe?

by rolsmith - 2015-06-23 03:06:27

If you exceed your devices ability to pace it can automatically slow you down – it is called a wenkenbach setting I think. My Medtronic device only paces to 175bpm so if I get over that it drops my HR by 50%. Feels like downshifting in a car. The trick I have found is learning to get close to the max but not exceed it. The occurrence should only happen briefly though, so it would be good to get checked if it seems to impact multiple days. Beta-blockers also help :-)

Also, not sure if anyone else has experienced it but a chest strap heart monitor gets whacky with my device as my HR gets higher. The only thing I have found that works well for me is a fingertip pulse oximeter which I use more as an occasional check on the treadmill.

Similar issue with walking

by Lurch - 2015-06-23 04:06:14

I do not run, haven't done any running in about 25 years. However, I starting walking a couple of months ago trying to work through the effects of a low EF and Beta Blockers.

I have to monitor my HR to avoid getting sick. My ICD kicks in with HR above 150, but I have found that if I got my HR above 115 BPM when I first started I would get sick. That number has climbed since I have been doing daily walks of about 6 miles. I now get up into 130's for awhile on walks.

I monitor via a FitBit Surge. It does a good job of letting me see my HR without having to stop and take my pulse or without chest straps. Not sure how well it would work on a very strenuous workout, but for walks, works well. It also provides a GPS map of my walks along with my HR at all stages of the walk so I can see where I was pushing it...

Hi Stillrunning..........

by Tattoo Man - 2015-06-24 04:06:25


...................this may have something to do with your Rate Response setting......have a word with your Tecchie.

For Rate Response look up at top left of home page for Abbreviations.

Best wishes

Tattoo Man

Help on settings-adjustments

by Stillrunning - 2015-06-24 04:06:35

Thanks all for the input could some of our SME's on settings give me some possible adjustment options, based on the above with my current settings, I can try to post them all but I have them saved on One Drive and Cloud link is https://www.dropbox.com/s/xnkasq763whb6pc/Pacemaker%20Model.docx?dl=0

another idea

by knb123 - 2015-06-24 09:06:22

Hi there - I used to be a Zumba fanatic until I developed osteoarthritis in a hip, and now it's a no-no for me (too painful, even with protective measures), so I can imagine your frustration at not being able to run as it has been a huge part of your life.

I think rolsmith and Lurch have given you good advice. When you see your doctor this week, you can quiz him/her until you've gotten answers. Another question you might ask your doc is if he/she knows of any doc with a PM who is also a runner. That person might be another source of info for you.

Finally...do you belong to a running club in your town? Friends of mine who run say they're a great source of networking info on a wide variety of topics: jobs, best shoes, restaurants, etc.

Good luck and let us know how you came out.

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I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.