Pacemaker maxed out in 1st jog.

I got my dual lead pacemaker(Boston Scientific Advantio) Tues, Dec 03,2013 and with the exception of a few days with
pericarditis now feel pretty good and have been walking
5-6 miles per day. Yesterday at my wound check, the
PM nurse said I could start jogging with my sling. First
time around the block, I maxed out at 150 within a half
mile. What's that about? So the normal coordination that
existed between my lungs and heart before the PM is
gone. Anyone else have this happen? Of course you have!
Talk to me.

6 Comments

Slow down a bit

by golden_snitch - 2013-12-12 02:12:06

I agree with Ian about the sling. Also, jogging sounds a bit too to me early 12 days after the implant and a pericarditis. Do you know, if the rate response is switched on? Sounds a bit like it, and sounds like it's reacting a little too sensitively. Maybe tweaking the settings will help. But first the leads need to heal in properly.

Doctors think that I have had a pericarditis before my heart problems started - echo looks like that -, and that it wasn't diagnosed and therefore I didn't give it enough time to heal properly. They are not sure, but it could be that this is what kicked my whole heart story off. Just saying...

While I usually don't tell people to take it slowly, in your case I'd definitely say so. You not only have a brand new pacer implant, but are also only a few days post pericarditis.

Inga

One Question

by IAN MC - 2013-12-12 02:12:45

Why do you have a sling after 12 days? There is evidence that wearing a sling is not good after a PM implant and can be harmful ; it can increase the chances of frozen shoulder developing.

If your heart is not responding to exercise in the way that it should you may need Rate Response switching on

Best of luck

Ian

Tweaking

by philip.thecyclist - 2013-12-12 08:12:13

In my experience (of three pacemakers) tweaking of the rate response sensivity can make quite a difference to actual physical experience and performance. The settings on my first PM were so sensitive that even mild arm movements sent my pulse racing. The tweaking was quite simple to achieve, and easy to assess by taking brisk walks during the check-up session. The later PMs were a little more complex to tweak as they had blended dual sensors. PMs have a set of pre-determined response sensitivities (like low, medium high). To quote from one source "If rate resoponse rates are too aggressive, the patient will achieve faster rates more quickly and perhaps faster than desirable. If not programmed aggressively enough, an appropriately fast rate may not be achieved." So there is probably some trial and error to be undertaken.

Having said that, Inga is probably right to urge caution
and take things slowly for a while.

Thanks to all

by comrades78 - 2013-12-12 08:12:22

Thanks for your advice. I'll walk till Christmas and
try again then.

and take that sling off.............

by Jonny - 2013-12-13 12:12:46

just don't lift your elbow above your shoulder.

Rate Response Switch

by charcurran - 2013-12-25 06:12:29

I had this happen 3 years ago. I would reach 150 bpm by just walking. I had to go back and show the doctor by walking briskly up and down the hallway at the clinic. After a few tries "tweaking" the setting on the switch, I finally just had the switch turned off. Ask if that is an option. I figured the more my heart does on it's own the better. And yes, wait about 4 - 6 weeks before jogging. You don't want to pull those leads loose. This month I completed my second "post pm" marathon. One of the directors of the California International Marathon joked that I won the pacemaker division. So all you pacemaker marathoners - shout out.
Finally, I agree with Jonny - the sling was given to remind you not to lift or raise your arm but serves no other purpose. If you don't need the reminder, leave it off.

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