Help with settings

Hi
Implanted with Medtronic Adapta 2 years ago because, although my A/F was fairly infrequent, coming out of A/F back to sinus was causing long pauses. Always had a low pulse, low 50s resting. More A/F since PM, plus more PACs and PVCs. On beta blockers. 65 years old and fit and have now traded intensive gym classes and now do more swimming and hiking. Have done the Camino de Santiago for the last 3 years ( 500 miles with pack over 32 days ). Always feel better during the walk. Planning on going again next month.

My problem is that apart from the lower rate, 45 bpm. I am still at factory settings and I feel I could do better with a few changes. My cardiologist has agreed to put me on a treadmill to see how I react and then see about any changes.

Can anyone suggest what numbers I should be looking for as someone who is pretty active. My main concerns are the
Upper Tracking Rate 130
Upper Sensor Rate. 130
ADL Rate. 95

I also have a Maximum Rate of 110 but I think that is to do with the Conducted AF Response which is turned on.

Sorry for the long post but I would appreciate any suggestions as to what I should be asking them to change.

2 Comments

Further to my post

by Maximus - 2014-08-06 02:08:53

I'm 65, don't seem to be too dependent judging by my PM reports. The Rate Response it turned on and my understanding of the manual is that during moderate exercise my rate would go to the ADL rate, now 95 and with vigorous exercise up to the Upper Sensor rate now 130. Also reading the manual, if I hit the Upper Tracking Rate, now 130 it will go into pacemaker Wenckebach block.
That is why I'm looking for guidance on numbers. My treadmill is on Saturday and it would be nice to have some figures in the back of my mind.

A couple of ideas

by SteveE - 2014-08-06 10:08:58

You didn't state your age, but even if you're "older" like me (66), depending upon how pacemaker-dependent you are, you might benefit from having your upper tracking and sensing limits raised a bit. Mine are set at 160, although with my beta blocker I rarely get near that rate.

You also didn't say so, but if your device has rate-response, minute-response or other demand-driven variables, discuss which one or ones should be enabled on your device. You want to be sure that your device will raise your heart rate whenever you need it, and some of the mechanisms do not respond to certain types of movement (for example, some of the accelerometers that sense the motion of walking or running do not respond to the demand of bicycling, so a respiratory response feature works better).

Often it is best to have a clear but detailed discussion of your activities with the technician or doctor who will adjust your device. They can then review what settings and features are available for your device and discuss with you how best to use them.

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