Medical device systems and methods with multiple communication modes

An implantable medical device configured to communicate information to an external programmer via conducted communication using communication pulses applied via two or more electrodes, the implantable medical device comprising:

• a housing;
• a controller housed by the housing;
• the controller configured to:
• communicate information to the external programmer via conducted communication using communication pulses having a first energy level applied via the two or more electrodes;
• perform a capture threshold test to identify a capture threshold for the communication pulses;
• change the energy level of the communication pulses from the first energy level to a second energy level, wherein the second energy level is based on the capture threshold identified during the capture threshold test;
• and
• subsequently communicate information to the external programmer via conducted communication using communication pulses having the second energy level.

A method of communicating information between an implantable medical device and an external programmer, the method comprising:

• communicating information between the implantable medical device and the external programmer via conducted communication during each of a plurality of first communication windows;
• determining whether the conducted communication during one or more of the first communication windows captures a heart of a patient;
• and
• when it is determined that the conducted communication during one or more of the first communication windows captured the heart of the patient, communicating information between the implantable medical device and the external programmer via conducted communication during each of a plurality of second communication windows, wherein the second communication windows are different from the first communication windows.