50-50 pacemaker working

Hi there
I have had my pm check today to be told that it is working
50-50, All other times they have been pleased and said it has hardly been used. This pm has been in situ for nearly 7 years.
My first pm was 1986 so I am not new to these devices.

I am not sure whether to be pleased or not with todays results.
Can anyone please enlighten me.
Thanking anyone with info
Regards
Fluzy Suzy

4 Comments

Percent Pacing

by SMITTY - 2011-06-27 10:06:05


Hello Fluzy Suzy,

If you feel you should either be pleased or displeased I say be pleased. So the percent pacing by your PM has increased, just notice it still has half of its capability to go and very few, if any, ever reach that 100% mark unless the person has an ablation, or some such procedure. But my experience is the percent pacing can change up or down, so if it were me I would wait until at least one more checkup before I accepted as absolute the percent pacing reported.

So my "expert" advice is to go about your usual merry way and don't give that PM any more thought than you have in the past.

Good luck,

Smitty




50-50

by sarge - 2011-06-28 02:06:30

Fluzy, they say your pacing at 50%, I have a question for you, are you taking any type of anti arrythmic drugs? Such as sotalol or any others? The reason I ask is my percentage goes up everytime I go for check up. I am on sotalol for palpitations and the sotalol slows the heart rate down, which in turn causes the pacer to have to kick in more often. My doc said that if I were to come off the drug my percentage would probably drop back to its original (before sotalol) 13% give or take. But I wouldnt be too concerned on percentages even if it were 100%, only means your battery may only last 4.5 years instead of 5 yrs. It's all good.

50-50

by Fluzy Suzy - 2011-06-28 03:06:49

I forgot to tell you that I am not on any beta blockers, only hypertensive drugs as far as I am aware. I also have kidney disease which in conjunction with my heart disease they have to be careful what medication I am on.

I am also an asthmatic too

Fluzy Suzy

No Ask NoTell !!

by donb - 2011-06-28 09:06:25

Hi, There must really be a void in communicating with both of my Cardiologists. Maybe because they know me too well as they both give me the impression "That what I don't know won't hurt me". As for settings of all 4 of my PMs over the last 20 years all I know is from what I've learned from others on this site. I don't know my % of pacing but I have been averaging about 5 years battery life. My 3rd replacement PM was about 1 & 1/2 years as it eroded. I know I have done very well over the years and maybe it's just best I don't dwell on figures as worrying just won't cut it for me. So Fluzy Suzy, as an old timer we just better go along with the Great Ride!! Take care & Enjoy. donb

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I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.