Pacing clinic

[Gundoglady]

Have just had my 2 year pacemaker check up, and have found out that I'm being paced 97% of the time (this is explains why I can't tell when the pm kicks in!)

I'm not sure how I feel about this 🤔

I guess on one hand I pleased and happy that there is a solution to my problem, but, I guess I'm also slightly shocked that my heart block was that bad?

Anyway onward and upwards, I still struggle walking up hills, but other than that I feel pretty good x

[Prada47]

Nice to see the positive well done you, sounds as though your Pal is taking care of you.

Best Wishes

[Bigdan]

What was your pacing percentage to begin with? And was it type 3 heart block?

Glad you're generally feeling good but those pesky hills don't get any easier!

Regards, Dan.

[Cricket23]

Hi Gundoglady,

I wouldn't be concerned.

I have a PM/ICD for HCM. Pre the device, my resting heartrate was 50 (I did lots of exercise). My heart is now paced at 60, so my heart is being paced almost 100% of the time. I still do loads of exercise.

Do you take beta blockers? I ask as the consultant told me that I needed the PM, not because of a dodgy heart, but because the beta blockers would make my heart rate dangerously low.

Cheers,

C23

[Alison_L in reply to Cricket23]

Hi Cricket. My ICD is set to kick in at 40, and on Bisoprolol it would regularly pace me (mostly at night), although still only 1% of the time. I've recently switched to Carvedilol which has raised my HR slightly - according to my Polar watch, it now rarely goes below 45 - so my ICD is presumably saving its battery at the moment!

[Cricket23 in reply to Alison_L]

Wow, that's low Alison. Yes,I do wonder about those battery saving moments myself! Out of interest, do you find the new meds better? I'm on 3.75mg but sometimes I get tired. I was on 5mg, which really whipped me out.

Cheers,

C23

[Alison_L in reply to Cricket23]

I was on 5mg Bis and switched to 12.5mg Carved (the equivalent) at the end of Jan because I had numb feet. My feet have come back to life, but I now fall asleep at the drop of a hat! I didn't have that problem on Bis.

[Cricket23 in reply to Alison_L]

Thanks for the reply. Isn't it strange how the meds cann effect us differently.

[EMBoy]

Hi,

I have a Mobitz type II block and am being paced 20% of the time (3% atrial and 17% ventricular). I am well aware that type II block is progressive and can suddenly become stage 3. Do you think this is what happened to you? At least you have the pacemaker to keep you going, and I'm glad you are pleased about it. It's only 7 months since my PM implantation, but each day is better than the last, and life is good.

If you are having trouble going uphill, perhaps you should ask your cardiologist to turn on the rate response on your pacemaker. This will allow you to be paced at heart rates higher than your upper setting -mine is set to 130 bpm and it seems OK for me at the moment, but more active people may need higher rates.

Best wishes and thanks for sharing your experience.

[Kimkat]

What type of heart block do you have? You shouldn’t feel the pacemaker pacing by the way