Pacer set to 70 pulse now avg 55???

I had a pacer implanted in April of 2013 due to a pulse of 38-46 and am on no meds.
Felt awesome in hospital & would not have been able to endure the stress, mental & physical, of my husband's illness which resulted in his passing away one month later. All was really great, physically, UNTIL I went for final follow up-EP said was adjusting so battery would last longer & said would not affect anything. 2 weeks later, I felt drained-couldn't figure out why. Was getting SOB but plowed through thinking I would have to get used to it. ,Well, that was 2 years ago and I still feel miserable.
I keep telling them I feel terrible when tech checks in office every 6 mos. Was told 6 mos ago pacer was set at 70 yet now when I take my BP & pulse on my machine, I get readings of 52-55 sometimes in the 60's Maybe once a day it goes to 70 or 71. BP is not high.
I am female and cut my own grass, clean my gutters and do
other sorts of work including holding down a full time job and enjoy dancing. But, now, I get SOB, very fatigued and tired-life not enjoyable anymore and I am tired of living like this.(do manage to cut grass & get pulse >100 or so &feel better after pulse gets higher)
I know how great I felt after getting pacer, so it isn't like I don't
have anything for comparison. I probably do not understand the workings of a pacer other than the very basics, but I just assume that if set at 70 I should reach 70 even sitting down.
Any input or previous experiences would be greatly appreciated!

3 Comments

checkup

by Alma Annie - 2015-07-30 10:07:01

It seems that you should have a complete check up and also a PM check of the settings. Something does not seem right.
I am so sorry about the passing of your husband. That would be so hard for you. My prayers are with you.
Alma Annie

Similar Experience

by Artist - 2015-08-01 03:08:44

I had a similar experience. My PM was set at 60 and yet I was getting readings of 47 on my BP machine and also by double checking manually. I got a quick appointment with my EP because I thought the PM was malfunctioning. He said that my PM was working well but that when my heart is in AFIB some of the beats are so light they are hard to detect. He adjusted my medications and I have not been experiencing any noticeable AFIB or any BP readings below 60.

Follow up to Pacer set to 70

by heart2heart - 2015-08-05 08:08:52

Had pacer check today by tech-engaged in conversation regarding settings-thanks to this website I was able to speak with her regarding the technical side of settings, RR, etc--after I told her that I took my readings and they were in 50's all day, she did say that the lower end rate was 50. I am tremendously thankful to this website and the members here who are so intelligent! I learned so much from all of you.
They finally changed my lower rate from 50 to 60 with 50 kicking in as lower rate, from 11pm to 6am. Hope to feel much improved in about a week or so. If not, doc said I can come back and he will raise it again. I am looking forward to FINALLY feeling as great as I did after I first had the implanted.
Thanks again to all of you!!

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