Pacemaker was set to high

Hello my husband R (70) is an avid bicycle rider. He and his friends ride about 36-50 miles per day 5 times per week. ON December 2013 he was diagnosed with Swallow Syncope (very rare disease) after he passed out while eating during Christmas Eve dinner. He was taken to the ER and admitted into the hospital the same day. When he swallows, his Valgus nerve slows down his heart. After he underwent all kind of heart testing, and his heart was not the cause for his losing consciousness, the diagnoses of swallow Syncope was made; also due to the fact that he had several episodes while connected to the monitors when his heart slowed down to 27 and 30; all of these happened while he was eating or drinking fluids. The doctors recommended a Pacemaker as the only solution to avoid this from happening.His cardiologist told me that he wanted the pacemaker set to 40-45 bpm so as not to allow his heart to go any lower (passing out) . Two days later his surgeon talked to me right after my husband's surgery and told me that the surgery went really well and that he choose a St. Jude Pacemaker model PM1210 and set it to 50. I immediately told him that it was not what his cardiologist had said he would get; the surgeon told me not to worry because during my husband's first appointment with his cardiologist the rate could be changed. I told him about my husband's resting heart been on the 40s due to his active biking too, but again he told me not to worry. Later on during my husband's post op appointment with his cardiologist, we found out that this particular PM can not be set any lower. We are concerned about this situation, and will like to know what to do. It can't be good that his heart is stimulated more than needed. Any suggestions? Thanks


3 Comments

Don't worry about rate

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-19 11:01:13

My heart rate was 20 when the EMT's got there. Then went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance. Woke up six days later in the hospital.

They set my PM at 60 BPM. They don't want you to drop below 50. I'm getting along fine at the higher rate.

For me, the electrical voltage settings of the PM were set at a higher rate right after implantation. They kept it at the higher rate for 60 days. After the heart was "trained" they dropped the rate. However the beats per minute were kept at 60.

Even though the heart rate is higher than what your husband has experienced at a resting rate it won't hurt him at the higher level.

I don't have the medical reason why they made the settings as high as they did. However they do have good medical reasons why they do. I'd discuss with the medical people. You deserve an answer. Knowing why they did what they did will help with both the mental and physical adjustment of your husband and yourself.

Theknotguy

Hi

by Moner - 2014-01-19 11:01:54

Hi Ronnie,

I just sent you a private message.

Moner

>^..^<

No problems for me

by valley01 - 2014-01-20 08:01:26

My heart rate was 35-40 before PM and I am very active and run. My PM (installed 10/1/13 after ablation and heart rate dropped to 30) is set at 50. It took awhile to get used to is but I haven't had any issues and don't even notice it now. I no longer feel like I'm going to pass out. 50 is still much lower than "normal" people.

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

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Good luck with your surgery. It will improve life amazingly.