Resting HR

Hi, Just looking for comments on a couple of points.
I`m 66 and been active in sport all my life until I started running out of puff a few years ago. Last year I had a mitral and tricuspid valve repair along with a `maze` procedure. They also felt I should be fitted with a CRT-D PM . In general I`ve been quite happy and feel much better. It took quite a few attempts to get the programming correct . Exercise is not a problem now and I know my limits!!
Since the op I seem to suffer from regular headaches while relaxing which my GP has put done to migraines but I`m not sure. The only constant throughout all the ups and downs of recovery is the resting HR is set at 70bpm . Previously while in good shape it would have been 45/50bpm. I`m thinking the headaches are caused by the high setting and it would be better set to say 60bpm? Once I start to exercise the headache stops.
My other question . Has anybody experienced a HR change while talking? If standing and in conversation my HR seems to increase with the resonance in my chest from talking?
Cheers Mab

7 Comments

resting rates

by Tracey_E - 2014-10-14 09:10:37

You could ask about lowering the minimum rate, see if that feels better. The higher rate means more oxygen, can 't imagine why that would cause a migraine but who knows.

Do you know if you use rate response? It senses movement and raises your rate for you. Some of the more sophisticated ones sense your breathing in addition to movement. That may be the change in hr you're having when you stand and talk. There are sensitivity settings that can be adjusted, though imo if you went through a lot of tweaking to get it just right for exercise, I'd probably not mess with it. I'd rather have a little breathlessness occasionally than struggle to work out, but that's just me.

My own experience was migraines that started after a car accident. I didn't figure that out for years, spent much time tracking diet and activities to figure out my triggers but in hindsight, I never had them before that car accident. I found a good chiropractor who specializes in neck (as opposed to more sports medicine oriented). He adjusted my neck, no more migraines. If I start to get one, I go back and he does it again. Unfortunately it's not a permanent fix, but that also means you have nothing to lose by trying it. Worse case it doesn't help. Long way of saying,I wonder if they messed with your neck during your assorted procedures and that's the root cause of the headaches.

HR

by gleesue - 2014-10-14 10:10:50

I have been very active all my life too and am close to your age, 67. Sports, biking, coaching soccer, weight lifting, snow skiing, jet skiing etc. To me 70 seems high for someone in good shape. My low setting is 50, but I did need to go back several time to be tweaked before things were set right. I had to have my sensitivity reduced, but my PM still will get set off if, for example, I hit a bunch of bumps when I am in a golf cart. Not much I can do about that.

I cannot say much about the headaches. The Doc needs to answer that. However, I would ask about getting your minimum hr reduced.

Jerry

BPM

by jmpetra - 2014-10-18 03:10:06

I'm 64 had the PM just over 2 months. My heart rate had been in the high 40's and 50's. They set my PM at 60 and it always feel like its pushing me. If I walking or exercising or moving around I don't notice it, and its probably higher then. I asked my dr to set it lower and he said they can't/won't set it below 60. Recently I found out about sleep mode and I "made" then turn it on for me so the low rate is 50 from 10pm to 8am.( 1/2 hour slow down and 1/2 hour speed up built in). Regarding HR, I notice if I flop into bed the PM kicks up my HR for a while. So certain motions I guess - but talking - hmm odd. and I don't think I could stand a low of 70bpm. I'd ask my dr to turn it down, and if he is hesitant - or before - ask a tech to be present, they can do it in a few seconds.

Mine is set to 50 bpm

by COBradyBunch - 2014-10-22 11:10:08

Don't know why they can't bring it below 60... When I got my PM I had a RHR of 54 (I am a cyclist btw) and they originally set me to 70 which is what the tech said. After talking it over with my doc we negotiated it down to 50, much to the techs chagrin who swears I should have stayed at 70, even though I wanted 40 the doc said that was too low. I rarely use my pacer now (there for SSS and that caused 'pauses' of up to over 30 seconds and needless to say, me ending up on the floor) so 50 seem to be the magic number for me. Talk to your pm doc and not just the tech and tell them you want things changed.

oh, and I am 55 btw

by COBradyBunch - 2014-10-22 11:10:40

just wanted to add that, got the PM at 50

HR and headaches

by dkburnes - 2014-10-23 03:10:35

I am 65 with a dual lead PM for three months. I had the PM set for a sleep mode (10PM - 7AM) of 50, which helped me sleep much better. I am still waking up feeling as though something is pressing on my chest. I get short of breath, when showering and dressing. Talking also is hard sometimes. I'm an exerciser and walk 45 minutes daily without any problem. I am have daily headaches as well. Any comments are welcome

HR kicks up

by NormaLou - 2014-10-30 11:10:20

jmpetra, I was glad to see your post about flopping into bed causing your HR to kick up. My PM does that too and it has always concerned me. It lasts about 30 seconds or so. I keep forgetting to ask the question when I have my PM checkup. Thanks.

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Today I explained everything to my doctor, he set my lower rate back to 80 and I felt an immediate improvement.