Pacemaker settings?

[JRlover]

Had a pacemaker fitted two weeks ago. It was set at 50bpm and in the last few days I've had severe breathlessness. Pacemaker Technician at A&E has reset to include "reactive response" so that rate will increase with my activity. This has solved the breathlessness problem. I'm wondering why it's set as low as 50, when "normal" is between 60 and 80, and I've seen a report that optimim is between low and upper 70's?

[JudiHalf]

Hi, I have just had a pacemaker fitted, mine is set at 60bpm which is good for me, it would be best to ask your pacemaker clinic why it is set so low and ask them to adjust it if possible.

[Crystal614]

Hi, My pacemaker is set at 60bpm. There is a sensor in my pacemaker that recognises body movement, resting, walking etc and paces accordingly. It depends why you needed a pacemaker in the first place and they may have their reason(s) for setting the pacing at 50bpm. Best to speak with the pacing team to find out if the pacing can be increased.

[Westie2012 in reply to Crystal614]

Mine is set to kick in if my heart drops below 60, I’ve struggled with getting more breathless over the years since having a om, when I’m walking a bit quicker than usual or uphill or even a slight slope it causes heart to race and sometimes I hsgevyo stop to fry my breath back , I’m waiting the results of a cardiac stress test to see if there’s any respiratory reason . Cardiologist doesn’t think it’s heart related.

[Crystal614 in reply to Westie2012]

I can get breathless if I walk at a fast pace or walking up a hill/slope. I asked for the pacing to be increased slightly but the pacing team won't do it, I have Microvascular angina plus other things going on with my heart and they don't want to put any more pressure on it by making it work harder. Fingers crossed for the results of the cardiac stress test.

[EMBoy]

50 does seem rather low - mine was set at 60 to begin with, and reduced to 55 at my first check-up. Apparently they set it so that your heart does as much work as it can before the pacemaker does its job. I don't have my rate response turned on, so can't comment on that.

[ChasNick]

Male 81. My pacemaker is set at 50. and my ICD set to fire at 171.

[Gladiator1951]

Welcome to the "pacer club". Increasing the minimum BPM setting will result in a higher "% pacing" value, meaning you will become more dependent on the pacer. Your cardio is probably trying to balance the right setting to achieve the best value for you. Good luck!

[Hanibil]

Hi mine is set at 80 bpm have no problems

[jab31]

mine is set at 70 and I can do almost anything