Effect of Accelerated Pacing Rates on Exercise Tolerance, Quality of Life and Arrhythmia Burden in Patients with Evidence of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common form of heart failure where the heart muscle is too stiff rather than too weak. People with this condition often struggle to exercise and feel short of breath with exertion. Many of these patients also have a pacemaker — a device implanted to help regulate heart rhythm — and researchers believe that simply adjusting the heart rate settings on the pacemaker may improve exercise tolerance. This trial will randomly assign participants to have their pacemaker set to a slightly higher resting rate (75 beats per minute) versus the standard setting (60 beats per minute). The key question is whether the higher rate improves how much oxygen the body can use during exercise, which is measured at 12 months. You may be eligible if you are aged 18 to 90, have a pacemaker, and have been diagnosed with early or clinical HFpEF. The study is based in Adelaide, South Australia. If successful, this could offer a simple, no-drug way to help patients feel better and do more.