Most Recent Messages in Checkups & Settings

Post Message!

pacemaker settings

Can anyone tell me how and when pacemakers are set for an upper limit. I have just had mine adjusted because I was getting breathless when doing tasks like gardening and also I want to be able to walk in mountains. I have noticed that, since the change to my pacemaker setting, my pulse is now always between 70 and 80, thus never triggering my pacemaker which is set at 60.

Read More...

what type of doctor follows you?

For those with cardiomyopathy and a crt-d, I was wondering what type of doctors were following you? My cardiologist who specializes in heart failure is leaving and I wondered if I could just see my EP for my follow up visits. The office seems agreeable to that, and I would love to have just one doctor. Does anyone just see their EP and the PM techs for their treatment? Thanks-

Read More...

info on pacemaker

We are all picking up bits and pieces from each other the hard way, so thanks to all on the site. I would like to know several things - is an 'interrogation' just a pacemaker check or what?- how does your pm phone in its situation on what has been happening since last reading? can anyone have that or is just particular models this applies to? when the report arrives in your hot little hand from letterbox or email is it sent by your cardieman?

My cardieman who checks mine will tell m...

Read More...

Rate Response and Hypertension

I just got rate response turned on yesterday. Is it a coincidence that my blood pressure went up? I have fairly serious hypertension and I wonder if rate response is really appropriate for me. I take beta-blockers plus other hypertension medicine. I have only had the pacemaker for 6 weeks. It was put in due to bradycardia. Before rate response was turned on, my HR was always 60. Now it goes much higher, about 95 after walking up and down an 8 step flight of stairs once. Thanks in advance...

Read More...

is this ok ?

hubby had pm cheak up today and was told alls fine just top part going to quick is this fine i ask ? as had letter from pm doc few weeks ago wanting to see hubby ats top part of heart is irregular due to see him this friday so how can pm tec say alls fine mmm i wounder also is bp of 140/80 normal or high can someone please tell me thanx everyone

Read More...

Pacer Check

Well, I finally got in for my 3 month post pacemaker implant check up, which turned into a 4 month checkup due to a cancellation in December. Doc says everything looks great, pacemaker is pacing but my heart is pacing on its own more (which means if it keeps this up my battery is going to last a long time!)

I posted a while back about my heart rate going up while driving or riding in a car and I said I would let you guys know what the doc said about it. He said there is a sensor in t...

Read More...

Second Opinion

Have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and doctor has recommended a pacemaker. Though I am taking a blood thinner now - I feel great.

Should I get a second opinion?

Read More...

LAP

My pacemaker is monitored by sending quarterly readings over the phone. Is there any connection between sending the report and me starting to feel tired and listless?

Read More...

Just checking In

I just thought I would chime in as I have not been to this site for a while.
Just visited my cardo, I am in good shape, HR at the doctors office was 119/72 (I am happy!), The St Jude rep was there, she checked my PM, all looks good (my setting are 55 low-160 high. My pacing is 22% upper / 1% lower ( I guess that's good). This hasn't changed since the implant (August 2011). I guess the jogging and biking is helping a lot, and I feel really good. My goal this year is to run a half marat...

Read More...

is there a source for programs.

I hope someone can advise me. I have a Medtronic adapta pacemaker installed December 11, 2012. I was having a problem sleeping and so a few days ago they programmed the sleep mode. I don't know the technical name, something like hysterical which I am beginning to be after many failed attempts on various sites especially the many medtronic sites. Don't they want you to know? My understanding, mainly from reading posts on this site is that the PM would be set at 11:30pm (my choice for bedtime) to...

Read More...

Just had my first 6 week check

and was surprised to learn that my pm was pacing 99% of the time. Glad I had it put in as my bradycardia would not have got any better. That apart all went well. Readouts are fine and show the pm is doing what it should. Battery should last 9 years so the machine says. Seems long given the amount of pacing but time will tell! Also got a copy of the x-ray of my leads in situ. Nifty stuff - grandchildren think its brilliant.

And have to say I feel fine. No pain from the implant site an...

Read More...

From too slow to too fast

Just had my six week PM checkup with my cardiologist and I am not a happy camper. Have you all had the experience with your cardiologist that he really does not know what the PM can and cannot do?. I was having a slow heartrate and pauses which is why I got the pacemaker.. All he seems to know is that now my HR won't go below 50 because PM will kick in. I asked about my palpitations at night and he says it could be because I am in and out of afib. I thought it might be that my pulse was in the 8...

Read More...

% Increase ?

I've had my PM since 2011 when I had my first checkup 6 mo. later the bottom was at 40% and the top was 0%.
Now the bottom is at 70% and top 4% so my question is, Does this mean my heart is getting worse or is it that I've started exercising more frequently?
I had a heart attack in 07 and 2 stents then 4 more over the past 6 yrs. but 2 failed. My last cath in 11/2012 showed 40% blockage but the cardiologist said it was okay and he left it alone.

Read More...

Office Checkup

After sending a Carelink on 1/7 they called on 1/14 for me to come in for office check. After we get it settled that there were to be NO changes without my OK, we agreed on lowering the ventricle pacing voltage from 3.5V to 2.25Volts to increase battery life. The higher voltage was set several years ago when I had a loss of capture event. I've reminded them regularly that the self tests, Carelink, and office tests showed the lower voltage was called for, but they were concerned that I might lose...

Read More...

Getting a new pacer with remote monitoring

I just got back from the Doc's and he's implanting a new medtronics pacemaker on Wednesday! He said this one will have remote monitoring. I was looking it up on the web and do you have to have a landline phone or can this be done by cell phone?
Any of you have this and what do you think about it? It's been 9 years since the original one and this is my 1st new implant!
I'm also more scared this time around...any of you experience that and what was your recovery like?

Thank...

Read More...

Blood Pressure & PM's

I am on my second pacer put in 2007. Reason: I have Carotid Artery Disease and any pressure on my neck will stop my heart. Never had BP problems until I had the second one put in, and it went up to 203/87. Had to take (2) BP medications for a year before Dr lower me to one pill only. I stay at 140/ 80's all the time.
Now here it is 2013 and all of a sudden on New Years Eve night (Not drinking or partying), I experienced chest spasms, fast heart beat and nausea. No chest pain. Scared...

Read More...

Question about settings...

I'm guessing from what I've read as well as how I feel when I walk a bit (3 days after implant) that the settings to start with are kind of "one setting fits all". Is there any info I need to arm myself with to get to the proper settings for me as quickly as possible?

Read More...

No check ups

I had my PM almost 2 years. I have only seen my cardiologist once since my surgery. I am monitored every 3 months using my monitor. I do see my regular doctor ever 3 months. How often do you see your cardiologist for a check up if everything is going ok as far as you know.

Read More...

afib

Went in for check on last tweaking, and how I felt. Tired a lot, weak in the knees, short of breath. Well all old BS was set at was 60 bpm and thats what the old boy did. So he(the tech) also found a lot of arrhythmia type ATR the longest 7 24 33 some 4 24 or down to i0mins or even 30sec. when he was looking at it he ask me what blood thinners I was on. I said aspren. He said Huh. And showed me the log, of which I got a copy. He turned BS on it now is DDDR, He had me speed walking the halls to...

Read More...

Trying again

I did mention this in a reply to a posting but would like some input.
1 year old PM with 2 years life left in battery? Only pacing 17% of the time. I vaguely remember the tech mentioning the short life-span at the first interrogation, but she said it must be a glitch. Possibly a dud?
Any thoughts?
Shirley

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You have a $50,000 chest.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.