Rate question again

I know I asked before However..

I was explaining to a nurse over the weekend about what happens when I run. No matter what pace or for how long w/in 60 - 90 sec of starting to run my rate goes to 150 and stays untill i stop running. I have run 4 times this week 15 mins shortest up to 75 mins longest same thing each time. I called Medtronics told them i had i appointment with Cardiologist 8-25, they said go sooner. I called now appointment 8-3 Cardiologigist and Medtronic Rep. The call to Medtronic was after my first run.
My question is??? the Nurse (RN) is not a Cardio nurse but was very concerned said are you trying to give yourself a stroke,, got my just a little worried, Hate to call the cardiologist again to ask if I should stop running till after I see her? Or is the RN just overly concerned?
Ps:
I real do think it is a sensitivity adjustment problem with the pacemaker. If I tap on the PM I can easily raise my HR from 60 to over 100 with 1 min. I also do not believe this is something the pacemaker can readjust/learn on it’s own. I just want to make sure I am not going to kill myself by running….

6 Comments

thanks Ian

by wjs1954 - 2014-07-07 10:07:13

The RN like i said is NOT a Cardio nurse, she was/is just worried about me..
yes like you i have been running for years just new at such a high HR at a extended period. just making sure it is ok to continue to train till I get in to See Doctor & PM REP for Treadmill adjustment on 8-3..

thanks.

pretty sure you are saying no problem RIGHT....

Hi wjs

by IAN MC - 2014-07-07 10:07:54

The answers are still the same as when you last posted but the comments from the nurse ( ? was she really a qualified nurse ? ) must have scared you :-

i) I see that you are only 60 yrs old . Going up to 150 bpm, no matter how quickly , is absolutely nothing to worry about. That's what hearts are meant to do, to get more oxygen pumping round when you exercise

ii) Your HR shouldn't rise quite so quickly after such minimal exercise though.

iii) I have the same PM, the Medtronic Advisa and had exactly the same problem until they altered the sensitivity of the Rate Response setting. It is a simple fix so see your PM guru as quickly as possible and get it adjusted

iv) Your PM does have a Rate Optimisation feature which means that it gets to know you and makes fine adjustments to the settings on its own over time BUT, as far as I know, it wouldn't make fundamental changes to the sensitivity setting if it has been set incorrectly

Best of luck

Ian

Yes, no problem

by IAN MC - 2014-07-07 11:07:02

but , as a runner, you will know that " how you feel " is all important . If I were you, I would wear a heart monitor and see just how high it does go .

If it gets to really scary levels don't carry on ; if you can, why not bring forward the date of your adjustment .

Ian

depends

by wjs1954 - 2014-07-07 11:07:02

when it jumps up not good, takes about 15 minutes than get a headache nothing to stop me from running. usually last only a few minutes than just feel slow try to push but can not run as I did.
With that said, I went from about no running to 75 minutes and the weather in CT is a bit on the warm side. Pretty sure it is conditioning and weather holding the pace down and not the PM. I am also sure the 10-15 lbs of extra weight I am carring around does not help matters ;>).. Guess i just keep hitting the roads....

max

by wjs1954 - 2014-07-07 11:07:14

only goes to max setting of 150 never any higher, before PM many long runs including marathons never above 154 and that was only for last 5 minutes of a 3 hour run. most long runs of 10 - 18 miles were 118-136 hr.

So it is no problem ?

by IAN MC - 2014-07-07 11:07:35

If the sensor for the Rate Response only accelerates your heart to 150 and no higher , providing you don't then go into some sort of block you probably feel fine.

As it's only 20 or so beats higher than your normal distance running heart rate, then it's nothing to worry about IMHO. How do you feel at 150 as a matter of interest ?

Ian

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

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