Idiots Guide

Rate response

by Tracey_E - 2017-05-01 13:46:39

Not everyone needs rate response. It's there for when the sinus node gets lazy and either dips at rest or doesn't go up appropriately on exertion. Your profile says you have pauses. If that's the case, the pacer will simply add beats when your heart pauses. The rest of the time, your heart may be ok on it's own. If so, you don't want rate response on because it can interfere with your natural rhythm. 

Early days Dave

by IAN MC - 2017-05-01 14:07:05

I was about to make a similar comment to Tracey, if you don't need Rate Response you should be able to run just as well as you did before, if you do need it then you MAY encounter problems .   At this stage I suggest that :-

-  when you go for your 1st pacemaker check-up stress to them that you are different to most of the patients they see . You are an endurance runner and need settings which allow you to raise your heart-rate to meet the demands of your exercise

- ask if you do need Rate Response or not

- establish good relations with the PM technician . In the UK these people are very knowledgeable , ( are officially known as cardio-physiologists ) and are really worth cultivating . Get a good relationship and you should be able to ring them any time for settings-adjustments if required

- float the idea very early on that you would like the PM settings optimised while you run on a treadmill ( yes the NHS will do this ! )

 -  if you do need Rate Response  your Medtronic pacemaker will certainly give you a high enough maximum sensor setting but cardiologists and PM technicians are often reluctant to make it high enough . I think this is  because they simply don't have enough experience of fitting PMs in very fit people.

- I recommend that you buy the book  " Pacemakers Made Easy "  by Carl Robinson.  The author is in the UK and it is not only an Idiot's Guide but is a really excellent reference book  (  find it on Amazon )

- I also recommend that you continue to use the expertise / experience of members on this forum to help you address any queries as they arise.

Best of luck

Ian

Thanks

by DaveM1962 - 2017-05-02 05:00:07

Thank you for yor responses.

I didnt expect to have rate response, and I am not 100% certain if I have. However the technician did say that at the first meeting they may have to adjust it. I no doubt will find out when I head out for a run later this week / next week!

PM Features

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-05-02 11:16:31

Medtronic manuals are available online.  Some of the details are technical but do give good information.  Reading the manuals has helped me to know what questions to ask the Medtronic's rep when I go in for PM adjustments and this has helped build a relationship with him.

You do need to become knowledgeable about your PM. You are your best advocate.

The best advice I have read (on this forum) is to only allow 1 setting or feature to be adjusted at a time.  If more than 1 adjustment is made at the same time and you feel worse it is more difficult to determine the fix.

Yesterday, after 1 year of having a PM, I requested that Rate Drop Response be turned on to control a fast drop in heart rate when I bend over and stand too quickly.  This is a change in my condition that started recently.

Running - Response to DaveM

by sfp1 - 2017-05-02 23:52:12

Hi Dave,

You should be able to try different settings on your pm when you go in for a check up. That is the best way to determine what you need. I was able to try out the rate response setting at one of my visits to my pacing clinic. I walked all over the hospital, up and down stairs, etc. to see if it made any difference in how I felt when exercising. It didn't help so the nurse suggested I stay with the standard setting. 

How often are you pacing? That is another good question to ask. Get a copy of your print out so you can see when and how often you pace. That would also help determine if the rate response would help you. From what I understand if you pace often, then the rate response may be helpful.

Also, it would be good to clarify with your doctor what level of activity is healthy for you now. I've heard from people like GoodDog who got his pm in his thirties who has been able to be very physically active all his life (basketball, etc.).

For my condition, my nurse practitioner suggested I stick with moderate exercise for the rest of my life. She doesn't think aerobics would be good for me. Hard to hear, since I used to dance, but I know there are other healthy alternatives that will work for me because I like doing a lot of different things.

Everyone seems to agree that it is best to start out exercising gradually and build up. Since you are already in good shape it should be easier for you to get back to the level you are accustomed to.

Good luck!

Question for teebee re bending over

by sfp1 - 2017-05-02 23:58:39

Hi again teebee,

I'm always attributing things I'm going through to rational explanations, and then I remeber, oh yes, I have a pacer. I've also had some issues with getting nauseous and lightheaded when I bend over. I finally googled it and realized it could have to do with my heart. 

Do you have any other info/comments on what you have been experiencing when bending over and getting back up? I'm trying to gather info since I go in for my much belated six month check up in June (which will now be 11 months!).

Thanks.

Susan

Thanks Again

by DaveM1962 - 2017-05-03 04:57:17

I really appreciate your comments. I have found some resources on you tube about this subject. I plan to have as much knowledge as possibel before my first clinic session and have an idea about what feels good and what doesnt. Great advice too about only changing one thing at a time. It might be a lengthy process but a good result long term!