Adaptive pacer and HRV

Hey all, it's been awhile but was hoping someone could help answer a question or 2....

I have a Medtronic variable pacer for chronotropic incompetence (hr only went to 80 on 10 minute stress test) it atrial paces 97% of the time....

I have major hypertension with swings in to the 230's despite meds.  I am 59, average weight and  look pretty healthy.  They say my issues are from autonomic dysfunction.  I have been tracing heart rate variability and it is between 6 and 12... which seems to mean I am pretty unhealthy but I  wonder if anyone that has a pacer has the same thing and is healthy?  Also my pacer never has gotten over 120 no matter what I do with activity.  Is that common?   I just sometimes feel I am a walking train wreck and because I don't look sick I must not be... the md's are even stumped and can't figure it out which isn't all that reassuring.  Sorry so long but today is one of those rough days 😢 

2 Comments

Hypertension

by AgentX86 - 2022-01-15 22:51:58

Yes, 230 is quite dangerous.  They should be working very hard to control this. Perhaps you need to go to the next level. I think I'd be looking at a top-tier specialist even if you had to travel to see him.  There are some therapies I've heard about that might help but I think you'd have to to the best to get in on the bleeding edge.

I don't understand "heart rate variability and it is between 6 and 12..." but a max of 120 doesn't seem odd to me at all. Mine is limited to between 80 and 130, daytime, but there is a plateau at 110 and getting above  this hard.  Your EP has undoubtadly set this as your max, perhaps to keep your BP in check. Blood pressure is weakly correlated to heart rate but if the blood vessels are constricted causing a high heart rate will make it worse.

Bottom line is that you have to get that BP under control.  If your medical team can't help it's time to turn it up a notch. Find the best of the best. It's critical to get this under control.

Answers

by Gotrhythm - 2022-01-17 13:40:08

If I'm reaing your post correctly, you want to know if anyone else has heart rate variability issues and a pacemaker and is healthy.

I doubt if many of our members, healthy or not, have ever had their heart rate variability studied, so you probably won't get the answers you're looking for here.

You have been diagnosed with autonomic nervous system dysfunction. In a quick web search I found a Cleveland Clinic article about heart rate variability which also mentioned autonomic nervous system disorders. It also talked about the importance of looking for underlying causes.

If you're not happy with the answers your medical team are giving you, maybe it's time to look to a university affiliated center.

 

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