Pacemaker set HR 40BPM

[Gladys23]

Hi All

Many thanks for all the kind replies and advice.

I had a dual lead Essentio MRI Pacemaker L111 fitted. I had a very cheerful Doctor doing the insertion. I took about 1hr 20 mins to do and I was awake the whole time but under sedation. All the staff were great and very kind. Dr came to see me after the event so I asked what he had set the heart rate at , he said 40 bpm as the heart does not like to be paced.

I am feeling OK just find difficult to sleep on my back and not to lift my left arm above elbow height. I cant have a shower for 7 to 10 days. I have booked hairdresser for W and B 8 days after the pacemaker was fitted.

So pleased its over got check up in 6 weeks

[EMBoy]

Hi Gladys23,

It's great that your operation went ahead without any problems. You'll find that the first 7 to 10 days goes by quite quickly and you can start getting back to normal. For me, the best bit was being able to have a proper shower after a week without one.

A setting of 40 bpm seems a bit low to me - mine was initially set at 60 and reduced to 55 at my 6 week check-up, but I guess we're all different and I'm sure your consultant knows best.

Good luck with your recovery.

[Alison_L in reply to EMBoy]

Hi EMBoy. My ICD is set at 40, and fortunately doesn’t have to do much work. Just occasionally when I’m in a really deep sleep at night when my heart tries to drop below that. ❤️‍🩹

[Gladys23 in reply to Alison_L]

Hi Alison-L

Thanks nice to know that yours set at 40 as well !! makes more sense to me now

Take care

[Gladys23 in reply to EMBoy]

Hi Emi

Yes cant wait to have a proper shower. The doctor said set at 40 as the heart does not like to be paced . My heart rate is about 60 normally only saw 45 on my monitor results when I had a 7 second pause. Guess its a back up.

Thanks and take care

[Pouchielou1972]

Hi Gladys23 . My ICD is set at 40bpm and thankfully my heart hasn't needed either the pacing or defibrillator functions as yet. I was told I could shower from the day after it was implanted because they had used surgical glue on my wound, so nothing can get through it, so I'm presuming you must have had stitches instead to not be able to shower for a while.It was really tricky not being able to lift my arm above shoulder height for 6 weeks, as it meant showering with one arm and getting others to brush my hair etc. I had to learn to sleep on my back propped up and would pin my arm down under a cushion at night to stop me raising it during my sleep.

I remember I got the all clear to lift my arm above my shoulder, I struggled to for a few weeks as it had kind of locked up after being restricted for so long.

Getting through this period is tricky, but once you're through it, life goes back to a relatively normal state.

[Gladys23 in reply to Pouchielou1972]

Hi Pouchielou1972

Thanks for that, its good to hear that you have yours set at 40 as well !! Yes I have stitches and it is very difficult not to move arm above shoulder height.

Good idea to pin your arm down with a pillow at night. Just taking it easy and resting.

Take care

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to Gladys23]

Hi Gladys23 make the most of resting so you can give your body the best chance at healing. Thankfully this tricky period won't be for long and you find differently of doing things for the first 6 weeks, then things will start to feel more normal again once you're able to use your arm properly again

All the best with the healing process which will be behind you before you know it 🤗

[Gladys23 in reply to Pouchielou1972]

Hi pouchielou1972

Thanks it is a bit tricky trying not to do much . I am taking it easy just made tea and toast and washed kitchen tops over.

take care

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to Gladys23]

Hi Gladys23 try your best to take to take it easy to help with your healing. Wishing you all the best x

[Hylda2]

So pleased all went well. Mine was set at 70, now 60 as I also had an av node ablation so totally dependent on it x

[Gladys23 in reply to Hylda2]

Hi Hylda2

Thanks for your reply. Take care