EP wants to turn off rate response

During the first 2 weeks after PM implant I felt my heart speed up periodically, in addition I had frequent palpitations. It felt un natural so I became alarmed. I called my EP who insisted I wear the 24 hr holter. WHile wearing the holter I recorded 60
palpitations within the 24 hr period. I turned in the Holter on a Friday and called my General Practitioner who got me in immediately. He gave me a beta blocker and the palpitations went awa within a day.

On Monday my EP called me and stated that he wanted to change the PM settings. I went in today to the PM clinic and told them I felt fine. The Tech stated the EP wants to turn off the rate response because he coorelated my Palpitations with the rate response going off. My settings are 60 - 110. I told them that I felt fine since the beta blocker and that I'd be OK leaving the rate response ON! AFter confirming with the EP the Tech told me OK!

I have Syncope and think that the rate response may help with my dizzy spells. I'm a newbie and probably am off basis!

I am on week 4 after implant.

Anyone have thoughts on my situation?

5 Comments

hmmm

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-18 10:09:52

Well, you didn't mention what condition caused the syncope and dizziness. Knowing what it is might change my answer but here are my thoughts...

I would never take any cardiac meds or cardiac advice from my GP over a cardiologist or EP, definitely not take any meds without at least talking to the EP first. GP's just don't have a good understanding of what the pm does for us and how the settings work so their first response is to medicate.

My take on it... the rate response on the pacer is causing the palpitations, the beta blockers are stopping it. It would be a lot better to program the pm than to take beta blockers- no side effects.

Rate response means the pm makes your atria beat faster when you are active. This is a setting for people whose heart does not get high enough on its own. Many people don't need it and have it turned off.

Turning off rate response

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-19 01:09:37

I agree with TraceyE. If you don't need rate response you will feel much better with it off. As far as the syncope is concerned they set a lower limit which will keep your HR from going too low. On some pacers there is also a feature called Rate Drop Response which senses when your HR is dropping rapidly.
And no meds is always better if possible. Like I tell my GP I take 100mg of None a Tol daily.

frank

Funny I read this today....

by Pacing13 - 2008-09-19 05:09:23

I too had the same feeling and I am 12 weeks after implant (4th). I never had the feeling before but with my new implant it was daily that I would feel my heart speed up. My pulse would be anywhere between 120 - 160. The pacemaker clinic nurse that checks me everytime noticed my rate responce was on and it never was with my old pacemaker. It was turned of this past Wed 9/17 and let me tell you, since walking out of the clinic I have not had the feeling since!

My advice, turn it off if not needed!

Good luck
Pacing13

been thinking

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-19 06:09:23

Ok, I woke up thinking about this and it is really bugging me. I don't like to say anything negative about anyone I haven't met but I'm very concerned that a GP would prescribe heart medication to a brand new pm recipient instead of referring you back to the EP. I have a gripe with doctors who will try to treat something they know nothing about rather than refer to someone who does. I don't trust them! And you get too many fingers in the pot, so to speak. All decisions related to your heart should come from one doctor.

whew, ok, got that off my chest :o)

to new at this game

by walkerd - 2008-09-23 08:09:52

i know i must be dumb but what is an EP? learning some of these terms. I see it all the time.
thanks dave

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