Update and HRM Interference

I had my Boston Scientific two lead pacer installed 2 months ago.  I've been gradually getting back into regular aerobic training.  I still have some trouble with pacing during exercise and hope to get it worked out at my 3 month follow-up appt.  My question for the group is have any of you experienced interference from wearing the chest strap for a HRM?  I'm talking about the pacemaker not operating correctly.  I'm beginning to suspect that my Garmin chest strap might be causing my pacemaker not to respond.  Whenever I wear it my HR refuses to climb to meet the demands of the workout so I feel exhausted during a workout just like I did before getting the pacemaker.  I dunno, this might be all psychological, but my best workouts are those when I don't use a heart rate monitor.  Everything I see on the internet says monitors should not interfere with pacemaker function.  What's been your experience?  Thanks for sharing.

3 Comments

Interference

by Grateful Heart - 2016-09-19 12:49:00

The HRM will not interfere with your PM but some HRM's do not work well with PM's.  Some have luck with Garmin.  I have a Polar HRM with a chest strap that works well for me.  It was verified when my HRM read 215 after an intense exercise class and my next device check showed 217 for the same date and time of the class.  It made me a believer in Polar. 

The PM has many different settings as I'm sure you know.  It sounds like it may be a Rate Response setting issue.  If you needed the PM for sick sinus syndrome (SSS), then your heart rate may not rise appropriately with exercise.  If you have RR turned on, it may just need a setting adjustment or sensitivity adjustment.  It can take a few tried to get it right for you as it did for me.....we are all different.   

Just explain to your Doc the problem with exercise and they should work with you to get the settings optimal for you.  Good luck.

Grateful Heart

HRM

by marylandpm - 2016-09-19 14:01:08

The pacemaker atrium sensing level is set lower than the ventricles sensing level so for that reason I use a SPO2 finger oximeter that also displays you pulse rate. That way I'm sure I am not interfering with the pacemaker.

 Check out this book by Jamie Bisson. "Cardiac Pacing Explained"

 

 

 

Vivofit

by gleesue - 2016-09-20 12:20:34

I use a Garmin Vivofit with a chest stap. It has never caused a problem. I  have checked it and it is also very accurate.

Jerry

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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