Rate Response Problem?

Hi,

I had rate response turned on yesterday because I couldn't get my heart rate up during exercise (jogging). Now today, 30 seconds after starting to jog, my heart rate jumped to 158. I walked and it eventually went down and when I started to jog again, same thing happens, my heart begins to race within 30 seconds. When this happens, it feels very uncomfortable, like when the tech runs my heart up during a checkup. My heart even begins to race 30 seconds after jogging in place! I am worried that if I continue to run, I will get shocked because my upper limit is 168. I can walk fast, up hills, etc, with no problem at normal heart rate. The tech said the PM will have to spend a bit of time learning. Does anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance.

3 Comments

Rate response learning

by golden_snitch - 2014-07-04 03:07:00

Hi!

The tech is right, you need to give the rate response time to learn. My cardio says that Medtronic's rate response automatically learns and adjusts really well. But it won't do so, if you continue to stop running as soon as the rate increases. Despite the high heart rates, you should try to exercise normally. In the beginning, the rate response often tends to be a bit over-sensitive, pacing you up to the max. programmed rate in no time. I have had this problem with different pacemakers and different rate response sensors, it's always the same. It just needs some time to figure you out. If the response is still that fast after several weeks, I'd go back and have it tweaked again.

As long as it is a paced rhythm, you should not get shocked. The ICD is able to differentiate between a rhythm that is fast because it's sensor-driven and paced, and a life-threatening arrhythmia. If you are still worried about getting shocked, let the tech raise the upper limit. To me, 168 sounds very low, the ICD patients I know are not shocked at rates lower than 180 - 220.

Best wishes

Inga

i think i'm having problems as well.

by kmom - 2014-07-04 06:07:59

Last check I had them turn up my Rate response because I couldn't exercise above about 125-130 without getting drastically short of breath. since they've turned it up, i'm having more SOB just doing normal stuff and haven't felt as well. I don't know what they did but when I go in in Aug i'm going to have everything set back to where it was. i'm not excercising because I don't feel like it now. kind of back to where I was before the PM without the dizziness etc. frustrates me! I mean still better than before but not as good as I felt right after I got the PM.

Much better after understanding rate response!

by tbirdzz - 2014-07-06 11:07:57

Hi,

First off, I want to thank you Inga. I followed your advice while I ran again yesterday. I continued to run after my heart rate went up and it seemed to lock in at 145 while running. I felt great. it comes back down slowly when I walk which I think is programmed in too. These PMs are amazing. I feel very positive about running in the future. I can work with this.

Thanks again Inga!

Dan

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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