Pacing

CLS

by golden_snitch - 2016-06-06 13:12:09

What was your heart rate at rest before you got the pacemaker?

I have CLS switched on with 60 - 160 bpm, and resting rate control at +30 (standard is + 20), so that I can have up to 90 bpm at rest. I'm paced about 98% in the atria since my sinus node does not work. My resting heart rate is usually around 70-80 bpm, too, caused by the CLS sensor. I think it only drops to 60 bpm when I lay down, but for instance at work (I have an office job, spend lots of time in front of the PC) it hardly ever drops below 70 bpm.

If you have no sinus node issues, you do not need a rate response sensor and should have CLS switched off. CLS is a very 'dominant' or 'aggressive' sensor that easily overdrives your intrinsic rhythm, so it might cause more pacing than necessary.

Best wishes!

CLS

by Msat - 2016-06-06 15:07:56

My resting heart rate was between 40-60 pre PM.  I have sick sinus syndrome...brady/tachy, aflutter/aFib, and ectopics.  I recently had successful ablation and have dropped all meds except Eliquis; and, of course, that is when resting heart rate went up.  I suspect CLS is the culprit.

CLS

by Good Dog - 2016-06-06 16:19:27

Your pulse rate of over 70 bpm at rest does not necessarily mean you are being paced, although with the activity monitor turned-on, you probably are. I am with Golden Snitch; I would have the CLS turned-off.

I have had my PM for 30 years and have resisted on many occasions when the pacer tech has offered to turn it on. I think that you are smart to try to be paced no more than necessary. I believe it will serve you well in the long term and it is also a good idea to conserve the battery as much as possible. Both my Cardiologist and myself were pretty excited that I was able to get 12 years of life out of my previous battery. 

Obviously, the decision to turn-on or turn-off the activity monitor is really dependant mostly upon you feeling at your best. 

Sincerely,

David

CLS

by golden_snitch - 2016-06-07 02:11:51

David, I only said that I'd have it switched off if there are no sinus node issues. Now, it seems that Msat has a sick sinus syndrome with a resting heart rate of 40-60, so the rate response sensor might be needed.

Msat, if you also have atrial fibrillation/flutter, the higher resting heart rate might actually be good for you and help reduce your episodes. Medtronic has a feature called atrial preference pacing, and it makes sure that you are always paced a little faster than the intrinsic rhythm. They have shown that this helps to reduce Afib episodes.

I have found that CLS basically does the same. The relatively high resting heart rate is can cause is bad for heart failure patients, but for Afib patients it could be an advantage.

You could ask your tech about lowering the so called 'resting rate control' to +10, so then it's base rate plus 10 bpm = 70 max at rest. I have mine set at +30, so I can have up to 90 bpm, standard is +20.

Best wishes!