Can someone explain please!

Hi, I have a shiny new Medtronic Ensura MRI compatible pacemaker 5 weeks ago. My previous system was removed and replaced. I had my check today and I don't understand the technicians explanation of these settings. Rates- upper track 95 bpm, upper sensor 140 bpm. I also have ADL rate of 95.

I had my pacemaker for heart block, I like to walk and bike. I have to say I feel a lot better generally since I got my new pacemaker, my old one had two broken leads, but I haven't tried to do anything very energetic yet.

She also told me my rate response was on, but my mode is AAIDDD, this is rate response off isn't it? I'm not sure i need rate response anyway, but I would have more confidence if she hadn't said that.

Thanks in advance!

Vicki

4 Comments

Concerned I can't exercise

by vicki2806 - 2012-11-03 09:11:42

Hi, yes I'm sure the rate response isn't on. I'm more concerned that I will struggle when I exercise as I have heart block which come on when I exercise, this means I 'hit a wall' at times and I think (though I'm not sure) at with these settings that if my heart blocks kicks in at say 100bpm my pacemaker won't pace and I'll hit that wall. Am I right?
Vicki

rate response

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-04 09:11:26

If all you have is av block, you want rate response OFF. It can interfere with your natural rate and cause problems if left on. She probably just misspoke, I'm pretty sure without the R in the mode, rr is off.

With av block, the atria beats normally, we just need help when the signal doesn't make it to the ventricles. Yours will pace the ventricles up to 140. Don't worry about lower limits, all that matters for ventricular pacing is the upper limit. Lower limits are for atrial pacing. I'm not sure what upper track is but I know for sure that with av block, the ventricular lead is going to kick in and pace any time the atria beats but the ventricle doesn't.

If you are working out and suddenly feel dizzy or super tired, check your pulse. If it's very close to 140, they may need to make the upper limit higher. They don't like to put it much higher than where we need it so they'll always start conservative.

exercise

by SUPERSALE - 2012-11-04 11:11:44

I RIDE MY walk and bike DAILY FOR 30 MIN.. I HAD MY PM SINCE MAR 12 I CHECK MY PM EVERY 3 MONTH AT HOME I WAIT 4 HRS SO I GET MY REPORT ABOUT MY PM

Still not sure!

by vicki2806 - 2012-11-06 05:11:58

Thanks Tracey, that was happening before I got my pacemaker and leads replaced, I was hitting a wall when exercising, to the point where I felt it was dangerous to go swimming or cycling with my niece and nephew as it happened when I was dong both of those things with them and I physically couldn't move- my nephew cycled off (he's 5) and my niece swam out of my reach into deep water. I couldn't move to do anything about either of these.
So now I need to know its not going to happen and I'm just not convinced yet. I just need to get a bit of confidence back I guess. I actually mostly use my lower rate.

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