I yr. checkup

Hi everyone,

Ok so I just had my 1 year checkup on my pm. This may sound like a silly question but here it goes.
I have a Medronic EnRythm pm. I asked the doc what I was pacing at. I am pacing at between 18-20%. No episodes of PSVT or A-Fib. So I have to ask myself, did I really need the pm in the first place. What are your opinions on this?
Would love to have any imput
Thanks,
Mona

2 Comments

You likely need it.

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-07 12:03:01

The pacing percentage is a statistical measurement taken over the time period between check ups. 20% means you are being paced one fifth of the time. The question is what happens during those times if you are without pacing. You could have a slow HR in which case you would feel fatigued and possibly light headed. You also could have complete arrest in which case it would only take about 15 seconds before you lost consciousness and a few minutes to death.

I not trying to shake you up. The pacer is there to support your hearts electrical circuits and even 1% could be important.

frank

there are no silly questions

by cqmccann - 2009-03-09 11:03:06

Hi,
My cardiologist told me that sometimes the placing of the PM creates a more stable system. In other words, people have had PM's installed and they were not turned on and those people did better just by having the wire in their heart. It somehow stimulates your autonomic nervous system to straigten up and fly right. It sounds bizarre but there have been studies to prove it. Also, as stated in Franks comment above, you needed it that 20% so it is worth it. If you feel better, it was worth it!
cqm

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