the story of my life

Dear Ms. Walheim,

Thank you for contacting Medtronic Patient Services with your question regarding heart rate monitors. 

A heart rate monitor has a very low risk of interfering with your heart device since the monitor chest band transmits very low level magnetic pulses to the wristband.  If your heart device is not delivering pacing pulses at the same time the heart rate monitor is collecting your heart rate, the heart rate monitor will function normally.

One alternative to the chest band heart monitor is a portable fingertip or earlobe monitor that uses a light source to monitor the heart rate.  The infrared sensor detects tiny changes in infrared light due to the pulsing of the blood with each heart beat.  The fingertip or earlobe monitor does not transmit any magnetic pulses.

I encourage you to visit our website to learn more about your heart device and electromagnetic interference (EMI) at:

www.medtronic.com

We appreciate the opportunity to help you.  If we can be of further assistance, please contact us again.  Our toll free telephone number is (800) 551-5544 x41835.  We are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time.

Regards,

Julie, Medtronic Patient Services

[THREAD ID:1-4UPT29]

 -----Original Message-----

From: rs.patientadvocacy@medtronic.com [mailto:rs.patientadvocacy@medtronic.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2011 8:51 PM
To: RS Patient Advocacy

Subject: Share Your Story

site: http://www.medtronic.com/your-health/bradycardia/personal-stories/index.htm

patient prefix: Ms.
patient first name: andrea
patient last name: walheim
patient middle initial: e

condition: Bradycardia

sex: Female
age: 40
device category: pacemaker

story: I have written and continue to write about my story (see links to my blog below). I am an elite mountain bike racer and had a pacemaker implanted in April 2009 for second degree heart block that only presented during extreme exertion (racing or training). It was very tough to diagnose and even after implantation of the ADAPTA DR we had to make many adjustments to make it so I could race and train again. I am back to racing. I am desperate to find a heart rate monitor that works with the Adapta, as most HRMs cut out when the pacer kicks in (I am only paced 8% of the time, and only during exercise). Can someone there recommend one?

here are some of my posts concerning the Adapta:

http://pinkyeti.blogspot.com/2009/04/62808-ground-zero.html

http://pinkyeti.blogspot.com/2009/05/beginning-7608.html
http://pinkyeti.blogspot.com/2009/04/42109-implantation.html
http://pinkyeti.blogspot.com/2009/05/pacemaker-adjustment-3.html
http://pinkyeti.blogspot.com/2009/05/pacer-adjustment-4-field-test.html

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_________________________________________________

 

from:          andrea

to:              patientadvocacy@medtronic.com

                
          

Julie, I think you need to review my question again.  I am not concerned about my HRM interfering with the pacer.  I am an elite cyclist and it is not practical for me to use an earlobe or fingertip sensor.  I was wondering if there are any HRMs that will work once I am paced.  The pacer interferes with the HRMs (I have tried several) to the point where they are useless while I am exercising.  Are there any HRMs that are able to record my heart rate once I am being paced?

yes this is why I am the bionic woman..cute no?

Thank you


andrea walheim

- Show quoted text -

Glance into the world just as though time were gone: and everything crooked will become straight to you.

Friedrich Nietzsche


___________________________________________________


Dear Ms. Walheim,

Thank you for your reply. Medtronic is not aware of any heart rate monitors that will work when your pacemaker is pacing your heart and the heart rate monitor is taking a reading. Unfortunately, the information I provided you is all that is available on heart rate monitors.

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you. If you have any questions, please contact us again. To reach us by telephone, our toll free number is (800) 551-5544 x41835. We are available Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time.


Regards,


Julie, Medtronic Patient Services
www.medtronic.com