BPM PM Question

  Went for a Pacemaker check up yesterday. 

  I asked the tech about my bpm being around the 63 mark at rest for a couple of months after I had the PM implanted and was told my PM only kicks in if my BPM drops below 60.  I then asked if I was no longer reliant on it as my BPM at rest is much higher, often in the upper 70s and 80s. She checked the results and told me I was 100% reliant on my PM. I don't understand. I have a dual lead pm, one because my beats dropped into the 30's causing me to black out and the other to arrest the missed beats. The tech told me yesterday I was no longer using the lead which corrcted the missed beats.  I am so confused.

4 Comments

Conduction

by jcb - 2017-06-23 11:45:02

Your pm does 2 things

1. It generates pulses if your heart doesn't generate pulses often enough.

2. It conducts the pulses from your atria to the ventricles if your natural conduction is blocked.

In your case the second reason is probably the reason the pm is working 100%. 

 

Understanding how your pacemaker works

by Gotrhythm - 2017-06-23 13:27:29

I don't understand what you mean by "arrest missed beats."

I have found several youtube videos which help one to understand the electrical system of the heart and how a pacemaker helps. Try watching this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR0nWe47eek

(Not a live link. You will need to copy and paste the url into your browser.)

If you still have questions, come back.

 

reply

by PhilUK - 2017-06-26 06:05:11

  Thanks for the replies.

      I was under the impression my PM kicked in if my heartbeat dropped below 60bpm (bottom chamber?). My BPM used to hover around the 63 mark. Nowadays it doesn't drop below 70 so why would my PM be working 100%? 

     The 2nd lead was fitted to catch the missed beats in the upper chamber I believe. The tech says I am not using this lead now which makes me think my electrical circuit in the top chamber has come back online.

      I watched the video, thank you, but that does not expain what I am attempting to ask. 

      I was fitted with the PM to bring my BPM back up as it dropped into the thirties and was mis firing too.  Sorry if I am confusing things.

New tech

by PhilUK - 2017-12-21 04:39:14

 I had a new tech last week when I went to have a check. She explained things much better for me.  Lead one is in the top part of my heart and i'm only currently using this 6% of the time. She says it only kicks in when my HR drops below 60 usually whilst sleeping and is quite normal. The second lead is in the bottom large chamber. This is where I have the 100% signal blockage. Pretty much what you guys were telling me, I just couldn't quite understand it exactly.

  Thanks 

              Phil

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I've seen many posts about people being concerned about exercise after having a device so thought I would let you know that yesterday I raced my first marathon since having my pacemaker fitted in fall 2004.