battery

my husband purchased a digital recording of oxygen level and pulse for himself. i thought tonight i would check my pulse.first it was 44 then 46. i have had my medtronic p.m. since 2006. this past summer they said i may only have a year left before replacement. is this what happens as i thought my pulse rate would not go below 60. i am sure this is what they told me seven years ago jessie

5 Comments

an hour later

by jessie - 2014-01-27 11:01:26

my pulse is 76...????

May Be New Battery Time

by SMITTY - 2014-01-27 11:01:36

Hello Jessie,
Below is something I wrote based on my experience when the battery on my Medtronic had to be replaced. If you are concerned about the battery life and what will happen, this has helped others and may help you. Fortunately for me I had learned of the symptoms before my time for battery replacement got here. One thing I did learn is the life of a pacemaker battery cannot be accurately predicted and for that reason we watch for signs that tell us when the time in near. Even when those signs show up we still have 2 to 5 months of safe pacemaker operation remaining. A simple PM checkup will tell the condition of the battery.

When the battery power reaches a certain level known as EOL (End of Life) or the PM goes into ERM (Elective Replacement Mode) or called a VVI (I don't know what that one stands for) there is enough battery power left to safely operate the PM for at least three months.

You will know when the EOL, ERM, or VVI level of battery power is reached as the PM shifts from being an on demand PM to a full time PM. As a full time PM it will make your heart beat at a constant 65 BPM, regardless of what the low setting may be. When this happened to mine I knew it without a doubt. The low setting on mine was 80 and one morning I got up with a constant heart rate of 65 with a some irregular beats thrown in for good measure. It got my attention immediately. You say your low setting is 60. But when the PM determines the battery power is such that the battery should be replaced your heart rate will become a constant 65, give or take a couple of beats. The HB stays at this level regardless of your activity. The only exceptions are you can still have A-Fib and/or skip beats,

The thing is, don't be concerned about being left without a working PM because of a dead battery. Our PMs have enough safety features built in them we will not be left out in the cold without any warning the battery has reached the end of its life.

Good luck,

Smitty

Jessie

by jeanlancour - 2014-01-28 01:01:23

If you are using an oxmeter on your finger it will not give a true reading with fingernail polish on. Otherwise it works good.

thanks jean

by jessie - 2014-01-28 09:01:44

okay did not realize that will remove it and check jessie

thanks smitty for answering me

by jessie - 2014-01-28 12:01:51

okay so i need to call and get in for a p.m. check. i have an appt for august but need to get checked shortly.thanks again jessie

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.