PACEMAKER VP100%

Hi everyone. I come from Vietnam. My father has implanted a pacemaker (PM) since April 2016. PM manufactured by St. Jude medical. 
The PM runs from VP18% (June 2016) to VP100% (8/2/2018), threshold 0.3V 0.6ms, Impedance 525 Ohm.
My father tested PM in Nov 2017 with VP63%, Threshold 0.5V 0.4ms, Impedance 560 Ohm. 
My father suffered bradycardia (slow heartbeat). I am a bit of surprised and sad when I realise that the PM runs completely after only 2 years. It is too fast, isn't it??? Or Normal??? After out of battery, is there any chance for him to replace other new PM??? Without PM, my father will go to the morge, won't him?
If diet or life-style changes, VP100% will change. VP100% decreases to below index, doesn't it? 
His stomach was cut 2/3 in the past. He eats rice, vegetable, meat, milk, etc, less fat, less sodium, less sugar. I would like Dad live longer than. 

3 Comments

questions

by ROBO Pop - 2018-02-08 13:03:48

I'm afraid you misunderstand pacemakers, hopefully I can explain a few things for you to help.

When the battery on your father's pacemaker get low, the doctors will know and replace the unit. They replace the entire box (called a generator) but leave the wires in place and reuse them. on average a battery needs to be replaced about every 5 to 7 years. Some a little longer some shorter. I am on my third device and change is no big deal.

His pacing percentage is a function of his heart rate without the device. The slower his natural heart beats the higher percentage of time the pacemaker will kick in and pace him. There is nothing to worry about. I am paced 100% in both ventricles (VP) no big deal. If for any reason his pacemaker stopped, it does not mean his heart will stop, his heart will still beat on it's own, he'll just feel tired and exhausted.

There is no reason to think his pacemaker will shorten his life. In fact it's more likely his life will be longer because he has the pacemaker. Your heart pumps blood containing oxygen and nutrients out to the organs of your body to keep them alive and healthy. When the heart rate slows, then your organs do not get enough oxygen to stay healthy and begin to slowly decline.

Don't worry so much, everything sounds pretty normal for him.

About diet

by Gotrhythm - 2018-02-08 13:49:59

ROBO's explanation is good. Let me add a few things.

A good diet is important for other reasons than heart health, bu life-style changes most likely won't make any difference in how much your father is paced. The causes of rhythm problems are often unknown and different from coronary artery disease.

Rhythm problems change over time. I start out paced about 34%. Now I'm paced 100%. It isn't unusual that your father's percentages have increased. What ROBO said was true. Your father's heart is still able to beat on it's own. And let me add, it's really, really unlikely that your father's pacemaker would stop. Today's pacemakers are very reliable.

Your father is lucky to have you. Hoepfully, with a pacemaker he can be with you many more years.

Ask his doctor if he is trained in His bundle pacing

by Terry - 2018-02-08 18:33:07

His bundle pacing activates the ventricles naturally. Some doctors still bypass the cardiac conduction system, resulting in ventricular remodeling and heart failure hospitalization in 10% to 16% of patients. To learn more about recent research, Google His bundle pacing or see His-pacing.org or you could also Google cardiac conduction system.

All the best to you and your dad, Terry

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.