What % of the time do you use your pm?

Hi, I just got my pacemaker a few weeks ago & already had a regularly scheduled appt with a tech. I was just curious how often people use their pacemaker. I was told that mine is being used 54% of the time and that sounded high.. The numbers that I was told as full battery, how much I used and when recommended to replace the battery made me worry a little since its only been 6 weeks. I know everyone is different but I was interested to know how often other people use there pacemakers & how often they've had to change the batteries.
Thanks jill

7 Comments

numbers

by Tracey_E - 2012-07-02 08:07:46

The number is different for everyone. If you are feeling good and able to do what you want to do, then your number is good.

I pace 100%. I'm on my 4th one now. The most I got out of one was 7 years, the least was 2 but that was caused by a bad lead. Change outs are super easy, nothing to worry about. If I get an early appointment, I'm home fixing my own lunch.

pacing

by rwagenblatt - 2012-07-02 09:07:05

Hi Jill,
As numbers mentioned, it's different for all of us. Put 50 pacers togther and you'll get 50 different stories.
I got mine 2 months ago and had my 2 month check up today, all clear to resume all of my normal activitites!.
I have a full block and pace >1% in the upper and 100% in my lower meaning my sinus node is working normally but I'm still totally dependant on my PM
Time will tell as far as battery life goes. My Doc said 10 years, we'll see. Best to you.
RW

Not a big deal

by ElectricFrank - 2012-07-02 12:07:48

The %use of the pacemaker can vary from 0% to 100% (like mine). Actually the number doesn't directly relate to how serious your situation is. Even with my 100% pacing if the pacer quit I don't die. My HR would just drop to around 30 and I would feel lousy. The % is also affected by the pacemaker settings. So there is no high or low.

The battery is the same situation. It's life depends on the number of options that are turned on, the pacing voltage that is applied to the heart, and even how active you are. There is a feature in the pacer that attempts to estimate remaining life, but it is only approximate. It uses some measurements of the battery together with your history of use so far to project a trend. People tend to panic when the estimated life drops a year or two between 3 month check ups. Then the next checkup shows the life is back.

The place where pacemaker life starts to be important is when the remaining life shows less than a year. At that point they may do checkups more frequently.

frank

pacing

by manaman - 2012-07-03 10:07:14

eveyone is different. I pace 65% upper and 1% lower. My first pm lasted 6 years, second one 8 years and so far this one has been 8 years with an estimated 2 years remaining.
Battery change is a breeze!! Quick and easy!
Cecil

100%, too

by Sabine - 2012-07-04 02:07:59

I pace at 100%, too. My PM has been in over 6 years and the impedance is still very low. I was told that there's no way to tell. Some batteries last a long time and some don't.

I'm so glad to read that battery changes are easy! I'm still on my first one.

not a big deal

by SUPERSALE - 2012-07-05 01:07:00

your doctor is keep track everything on your pacemaker

my pace maker will last for 11-13 year every 3 month i will check it using carelink device and it send to my doctor

How much do you use your PM

by Hawkc216 - 2012-07-12 08:07:57

I am paced atrial & ventricular 100% of the time. Last usage report said my PM was running my heart98.7%.
I only have less than 2% of my sinus node left. I was told You need at least 4% to get "jump started" .

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