Turning rate response off

i am asking to turn off Closed Loop rate response  on my Biotronik tomorrow.    Anyone else done this?  What can I expect?  What questions do I need to ask rep?  Will this do away with all rate response?  I don't need pacing except to prevent long pauses (18 secs) and low HR during sleep (probably induced by beta blocker to treat aFib).  Currently pacing at 58%.  Hoping to get down to single digits now that I am off beta blockers and rhythm control meds.

5 Comments

might want to consider

by Cabg Patch - 2016-10-18 16:23:10

You might just want to run out and buy malpractice insurance so if things go wrong you have someone to hold responsible...

Why?

by Grateful Heart - 2016-10-18 16:39:19

If you have SSS as mentioned in a previous post, you need Rate Response on or you may feel pretty crummy when you are walking or exercising.

Don't get caught up in the numbers.  I have a CRT-D that's been working 100% of the time for the past 8 years.  You pace what you need.

You're taking a risk with 18 second pauses.....just my humble opinion.  

Grateful Heart

Thanks Grateful

by Msat - 2016-10-18 16:52:04

Thanks for your reply and concern.  As I understand it, I will still pace if rate drops below 60.  So cardiac arrest should not be a problem.  I have the option to just deactivate CLS and still have motion rate response, but I would prefer to see what me heart can do on it's own.  My pre PM stress test did not indicate that my heart had any trouble getting the rate up, so I really don't think I need rate response.  If anything, it may be making me feel worse.  I have had no stamina since the PM was put in.

i hope if I am confused on how this works, someone will set me straight.  My rep is not real chatty and doesn't like questions much.

rate response and SSS

by busby - 2016-10-18 18:01:09

I have SSS but do not need rate response on as I can reach a higher rate while exercising on my own. i found rate response was really uncomfortable when I first had my PM put in 13 yrs ago, so it was turned off at my first visit. I do, however have rate drop response turned on, as this helps when my heart rate drops suddenly. I also had long pauses before my PM -up to 30 secs with syncope. I don't have afib, but this should not need rate response.

rate response

by charcurran - 2016-11-16 15:58:27

I just emaill my dr. about turning off the rate response. He doesn't think at my age (67) that I should have a h.r. over 150, but I'm a competitive runner and at times need to get my h.r. higher to compete. I'm expecting an long discussion as doctors are trained to be over cautious. Like you, I had the pm because of long pauses (much shorter than 30 seconds), but was told I couldn't take meds for afib unless I had the pm first - because the meds would increase the pauses and when your heart beat pauses too long, you pass out. But the rate response switch shouldn't be needed. 

 

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