bpm faster than pacemaker setting

heart rate between 60 and 100 bpm is regarded as normal

by Gemita - 2024-08-26 02:22:26

Sharron, while the pacemaker can do a reasonable job of keeping our base rate from falling below the set lower rate limit, it cannot stop our own heart rate from increasing naturally or during a fast arrhythmia.  In any event a normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm, so a 66-68 bpm heart rate would be perfectly normal.

You mention your husband was feeling poorly at the time he took his blood pressure/heart rate.  Those blood pressure/heart rate readings would not concern me but if he continues to feel unwell I would contact his doctors for advice.  When you say he was feeling “poorly” what symptoms did he have?  Any chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue?

Perhaps your husband’s blood pressure fell?  The pacemaker as you may know cannot control blood pressure or stop it from falling to levels which could make him feel poorly.   Perhaps he was having some heart rhythm disturbances too at the time?  His doctors will ask him questions and decide what needs to be done.  Perhaps some additional heart rate/blood pressure/heart rhythm monitoring or other tests might be needed?

Hope otherwise you are both okay?

bpm faster than pacemaker setting

by Sharron2 - 2024-08-26 04:04:31

Thank you for your response Gemita, 

He felt more tired than usual. He has moderate Parkinson's and orthostatic hypotension is a feature of this disease, so his normal blood pressure is usually 110/65. The 140/85 is higher for him. He will check his blood pressure more regularly after this. He does have an artificial aortic heart valve from the 1980's, but he rarely has arrthymias as he is pretty attuned to them.

I agree if he continues to feel something is amiss a doctors follow up will be needed.

Thank you for your concerns, thankfully we are doing well. I am just the hovering spouse!

Sharron2

Re: BPM Setting

by H van Dyk - 2024-08-26 16:36:21

Usually most pacemakers are set to 130/60. You might call this the default setting. The value of 60 only means that the bpm cannot be lower than this. So even at night when a person is asleep, his/her bpm will still be at least 60. Mine is often between 65 and 75.
You did not mention the age of your husband, but if he's an older guy a blood pressure of 140/85 is not an alarm signal, in my opinion. However your medical team or your family doctor knows best!

BP of 140/80s

by Rch - 2024-08-26 19:25:02

Hi Sharron

Sorry to hear about your husband's health condition, but as others had stated, a bp of 140/85 isn't high enough to be concerned especially when he doesn't feel well. He might be under the weather with some viral illness of some sort. If his baseline SBP is in 110s, I suggest you check his BPs and HRs 3-4 times a day supine, sitting and standing up positions, and preferably in both arms. Wait at least a minute between positions. If you do see significant discrepancies between arms or in different positions, you should discuss with your provider. He might need some medication adjustment.

You didn't mention all his meds or if he's on any anticoagulants if it's a mechanical heart valve. However, if he has any fever, looks ill or lethargic, please call his provider as this may need urgent attention unrelated to BPs or pacemaker! 

I wish both of you well and a speedy recovery.