feeling the pm working

from the beginning of having a pacemaker I have been aware of it twice in every 24 hours. I feel rapid beats for a few seconds at 9 in the evening and 11.45 in the daytime. You can set your watch by it! does anyone else have this? If so, what does it mean? Does it 'go to sleep' at night?

4 Comments

Ask pacemaker's tech service...

by PatientStudy - 2013-11-01 10:11:12

Jillc,

Your observations that your symptoms recur at exactly the same time each day (11:45am & 9:00pm) are very helpful in narrowing down what you're feeling and its cause.

I don't know the precise cause, but in all likelihood, the device is probably doing some kind of self-check at that time - either doing an auto threshold check (maybe once on an atrial lead (am) & once on the ventricular (pm)), or perhaps a battery voltage test. Regarding the type of self-test, there are many possibilities depending on device type, brand, model, etc).

On your ID card for your device, there should be a toll free number. Call them some day when you have 15-20 minutes (though it might take only a couple minutes- wait times vary a lot).

Ask them for technical service for pacemakers (sometimes called "brady" - rhymes with lady - tech support). Explain to the tech support person that you have this feeling at 11:45 & 9:00 each day and you can set your watch by it. Also, tell them how long it lasts (eg 3-4 seconds,etc). If it's the exact same feeling you get when your device is tested at the cardiologist's ofc, tell them that. If it's a similar but somewhat different feeling, then share that. Precision helps.

They should be able to give you an idea of what the cause is (ie is it an auto threshold test, a battery test, etc?). Also, you might ask them if the test interval can be reprogrammed to run once a day or every other day instead of twice a day. Write down whatever terms they use.

On your next in-office device check, ask the technician if he/she can adjust that feature that the tech support person told you about. Some auto tests can be adjusted, some can't. If it is a threshold test, they might be able to program it to run at a longer "AV delay", thus reducing symptoms. (Unfortunately I don't have time to explain terms like threshold or AV delay, but the tech will know what it is, and hopefully whether or not it has relevancy to your symptoms).

If at some future ofc check you see a different technician, maybe ask them the same questions and see if their opinions match the former technician's. Be as precise as you can when you ask. Sometimes you might get different answers since these things can be complicated.

If you do something like the above suggestions (particularly calling your device company's tech support line), you might write about your resulting experience here (it will probably be helpful to others).

Blessings,
John

BillMFl

by BillMFl - 2013-11-01 11:11:12

In my case my pacemaker does its self interrogation once a day. It was originally set for 2am and used to wake me up. Like you, I get strong sensations in my chest when it does its system check. The pacer check can change to clock setting to whatever time you prefer. Mine now goes off at exactly 6:18 pm while I'm watching the evening news. Your pacemaker checks its own function each day at the preset time by sending a pulse down each lead going to your heart. It is checking for things like continuity and impedence to verify that your lead hasn't broken or come loose, etc. Many if not most people are not aware of this event. Like you, I can feel it very strongly for the short time it is doing its checks. Its nothing to worry about. The pacer tech can change the time of day and also the signal strength to make you a bit more comfortable.

so helpful!

by jillc - 2013-11-02 07:11:16

thank you both for your very helpful and comforting replies. Not exactly worried about the two daily episodes - more puzzled. thank you again.

Same

by RosyEatWorld - 2013-11-04 11:11:33

The first 2-3 days I had my implant I could physically feel my heart beating against my chest at night when I was still and it was quiet. It was so strange because I had never felt that before. It hasn't happened again since then.

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Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.