Help deciphering?

When I went to have my PM checked yesterday, the technician said my heart was being paced 79% of the time. He also said it was set at 2.5 volts, and also said something about 0.7 volts. Is the 0.7 referring to my heart only producing 0.7 volts or did I get the wrong end of the stick? I'm looking forward to the first scheduled PM clinic (yesterday was because I had some concerns) so I can get some more in-depth figures.

Is 79% a lot of time to be paced? I have 2nd degree heart block, and occasionally 3rd degree.

Thanks,
Emma xxx

2 Comments

Readings

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-07 09:03:29

The % time isn't that meaningful by itself. The pacemaker setttings can have a major impact on it. If the pacer is set to start pacing on minor arrhythmias the reading will be higher. A very low reading like 0% might indicate a lack of need for a pacer, but even there it depends.

The 2.5 volts is likely the voltage of the pacing pulse applied to one of the chambers of your heart to stimulate a beat. 0.7 volts is probably the threshold required to cause a beat, or could be the voltage your heart produces and it used to time the pacing. Both of these are very common numbers.

Don't get too taken by the term heart block. Nothing is actually blocked (like blocked arteries). A more medically correct term is AV block which means the electrical conduction between the atrium and ventricles isn't doing its job. First,second, and third degree just describe how complete the failure is. This is one of the easiet problems to deal with. The pacemaker senses the atrial contraction, waits a short delay, and then stimulates the ventricles to contract. Since the atrium is being paced by your natural pacemaker its response to exercise is normal. When the pacer is properly adjusted you likely won't notice having it.

This is the problem I have that brought about the pacer and at 78yrs I hike around in the desert and even at 13,000' in Colorado.

By the way you may have seen it here, but be sure and ask for a copy of the pre and post programming report at your checkup. I can be helpful if things don't quite seem right.

frank

numbers

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-08 09:03:50

The numbers don't really matter so much, what is important is that your pm is adjusted and working so that you don't have symptoms. I have a third degree block and pace 100% of the time. All that matters is it's there when you need it, be it 1% or 50% or all the time.

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A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.