Type pacemaker

choices

by Tracey_E - 2016-08-03 16:49:36

Do you know what your diagnosis is? If you have av block, then any of them will do the job. If you have sinus issues, then you want to look  more closely at the type of rate response the device will have. Some of them are better for sports than others if you have sinus dysfunction. Aside from that, they will all do the job. 

They are all pretty small these days. The smallest ones tend to have the shorter battery lives. Placement is more important to sports than size. Ask where they will put it. Many put it just under the skin, just under the collarbone because it's easy and heals the fastest. If they go a little lower and deeper, sometimes even under the pectoral, then it's more comfortable for sports because it's under some cushion rather than just  under the skin.

Most important of all is what your doctor knows and likes best. Someone is going to have to program the device for you and adjust the settings to your specific needs. You want the device your doctor knows inside and out. All the best bells and whistles won't do you much good if you don't have someone nearby who can set it up. It's good to reseaqrch and ask questions, but in the end it's usually best to go with what your doctor recommends. Medtronic and SJM are the two biggest followed by Boston. You can't go wrong with any of them. 

I don't think size should be the criteria

by LondonAndy - 2016-08-03 17:03:49

I have a Medtronic dual chamber model, and I have no knowledge of other makes so can't help much.  Not sure why size is a concern - they all weigh a matter of a few grams, and I suspect that other features such as rate response and where the device is implanted are more important - make sure your consultant knows about your activity ambitions and seek their advice. You might not want it implanted pre-pectoral if you are looking at contact sports, for example.

I have had great no problems with my Medtronic - it responds well to increased activity, but occasionally it increases my heart rate for no apparent reason, which could be down to how it detects movement to work out your activity levels.  Some have piezo-electric crystals that vibrate as you move more, but they depend on upper-body movement as that is where the pacemaker is of course. Others measure electrical impedence, as impedence in the electrical circuitry of the heart increases with exertion, and so this way of measuring can be more reliable, but can trigger too much increase in heart rate when going from lying down to sitting up.

Hope this helps a bit.

medtronic

by coffeesnoob - 2016-08-05 09:41:23

I just received a pacer. First one..It is a medtronic sure scan. My doctor told me this is one he would highly consider if he were to need one.