Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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27-Year-Old Marathon Runner -- Getting PM

I am a 27-year-old marathon runner. I have run four marathons and, incidentally, plan to run the Boston Marathon in two weeks.

After experiencing some heart flutters, I had a series of tests done that revealed that I have bradycardia as a result of a problem with my heart's "electrical system." I had an EKG and echo. I also wore a heart monitor for 24 hours, which revealed that, while sleeping, my heart beat went down to 21 BPM. It further revealed that there were up to 4.4 seco...

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kitesurfing

Has anyone in this club had any experience with kitesurfing after a pacemaker implant?
I'm 57 and an avid/extreme kitesurfer. I recieved my implant 3 days ago and my doctor says he has no case records to advise me from. He did the implant below the muscle for additional "impact" protection.
Aside from waiting about 6 weeks before resuming activity can anyone shed any additional light as to precautions or limitations moving forward?
I welcome comments from any and all people who...

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Which pacer ?

I have had my Medtronics pacer for about 5 months now for bradycardia. I am also on sotalol for afib and that keeps me in nsr. I am an avid bicyclists, mostly mountain bike. When I ride I wear a heart rate monitor. I had the pacer programmed while on the treadmill and my doctor says it is set right. My problem is when I'm climbing and pushing my self hard some times my heart rate is 110bpm when I think it should be much higher based on my level of activity. Other times when I am just c...

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Jogging

I have had the implantable device three weeks. Can I jog now?
I am 70 and fought the vagus vagal syncope but the fainting episodes that started last summer just continued every 6-8 week intervals. I have a hard time getting my head around the situation I am in: i.e. if I am jogging will the pacemaker prevent me from going to the ground if I have a syncope episode or will the pacemaker merely shorten the amount of seconds I am on the ground. If the syncope occurs when I am sleeping at n...

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Badminton

Hello,

Could you please help me with my question. I've had a three leaded PM for two years, implanted on my left side and I'm left handed. Do you think it would be safe to play badminton? my worry is damage to the leads.

Thank you for your help.

Baz

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good, cheap heart rate monitor?

Hi,

This is my first time posting, though I have spent a lot of time reading others' posts. I am 44 and had my pacemaker installed Feb. 13th. Finally feeling confidant enough to exercise..feel great on the illiptical and can't wait for the weather to get a little warmer to try some actual running outside.

My question is this: can anyone recommend a heart rate monitor for running? I don't want to break the bank, but wondered if anyone out there has had good/bad experience...

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high pulse

I went for my pacer check and the tech told me I had an alert message when my pulse went up to 174 for about a minute. When he told me the date and time I remembered we had been dancing that night. He did not think much of it since the rhytm was normal and it was only one occurrence in four months.When I saw my cardiologist today he said he did not like that high pulse and should keep an eye on it. Any comments?

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generator change

hi

i had third generator change ten days ago---i am 48 years old and was exercising three times a week--is it safe for me to use an exercise bike now?

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Weight Lifting & Swimming

Hi im Stu and I'm a 29 year old kiwi living in Australia. I have had a limited history of vasovagal syncope - triggered only by a fear of needles. In Nov last year, I was having minor surgery back home in NZ and had two vs episodes where my heart stopped twice for 10secs each time. I had an ECG and they discovered Bifascicular block - RBBB & left posterior hemi block. I was recommended by my cardiologist their to have a pacemaker as a 'back up' should there be a time in the future that I get sym...

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HR while exersizing

I am 25 days post PM.....and back at the gym...but afraid, due to ignorance, as to what my heart rate should be...I just walk on the treadmill 3.6-4 MPH and my heart rate, which I never paid attention to before, is now a focus...I am scared of getting above 130. Bought a pulse oximeter and use it a lot...
Is there anyone who can share how they got back on the workout horse?
Also, while I am using the leg press, hip abductors, and calve press...when did you go back to the weights for th...

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Avalanche Beacon

So to start off I am 23 years old. I was born with WPW and have had a pacemaker since I was four. Two summers ago I also found out that I had an enlarged heart and extremely low Ejection Fraction. Anyway I felt like sharing a very funny story that happened to me this winter.---- My brother and I are extremely into snowboarding, I have been riding since i was 9, and my dream has always been to be able to hike up the Mountain and ride the fresh powder. However, in order to be able to do this one m...

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Recovery time and exercise

Hey gang, just signed up. Thanks to you all as I'm feeling better now after reading through the comments. I'm 53, exercise daily, running, bike and weights. Typical story I guess, shortness of breath, light headedness (no fainting) . Thought I'd better get it checked out and now here I sit in the heart institute set up for a pm implant Monday. AV block 2nd degree. With my activity level, should I ask them to place the pack under the muscle versus skin (I understand it bounces around less and is...

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afib at rehab

Hi... Lou here again...

I posted a few days ago about exercising and concern about what certain limits I should set...also about the fear of dislodging the pm leads...got some wonderful feedback...
Decided I was going to get in gear and not worry about these things...Just do the exercises and get on with it...
Went to rehab this morning and had a major afib episode...

First off...Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I know I need to stop worrying and get myself i...

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basic activities

Hi...

I am presently in cardio rehab... about 4 weeks after pm corrective surgery. Rehab is going great...but I'm still very reluctant to do anything using that using that left arm. I was told 4 to 6 weeks to not lift the arm overhead...I have been overly protective, but am concerned about dislodging the pm leads. I guess I'm looking for how to determine when I can resume "normal" activities...I do well on the bike and treadmill exercises, and walking is fine. I am monitored during...

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scuba diving

Is scuba diving ok with a pm? Haven't been able to get a straight answer.
Varmit

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VT and pacemaker settings?

I have just discovered from an interrogation and stress echo that I have been having bouts of VT. Can these be caused by a pacemakers setting being set wrong for exertion? (The symptom that brought me to the cardiologist was post-exercise exhaustion when I have been trying to push myself on hikes.) Cardiologist is suggesting I have angiogram to see if I have a blockage (very unlikely with my history, but not impossible), but I am double checking with an EP to get that side of the story. Any...

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Unusual Pacemaker firings

Hello everyone!

My name is Anthony and I am new to this forum so allow me to give a brief history... In May of 2011, I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). I had an Ejection Fraction of approximately 12%, so as you can see, I was a sick man! The CHF was caused by years of uncontrolled high blood pressure. I of course went on a cocktail of diuretics, ace inhibitor, and a beta blocker. I was at that time implanted with a Medtronic single LV lead pacemaker. I watched my die...

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When for my first run post PM

Hi,

Just did my first run post implantation. Was gonna wait until the weekend but felt ready. It's been 2 weeks and 2 days since the operation and I have been walking several miles a day since the day after the operation, and stationary cycling since last week (inspired by TraceyE).

I took it easy and did 4 miles at 8min/mile pace. Quite a bit slower than my normal pace at this distance. However, it felt fantastic and I really didn't notice PM at all. I was worried it was...

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Pacing during stress echo

I don't understand what my pacemaker does. Yesterday during my stress echocardiogram the pacemaker was pacing during it and I was told that that makes the results difficult to interpret because they make the heart look like it is working harder and that there could be a blockage. I thought my pacemaker should only pace if my heart goes below or above a certain rate, not while I am exerting myself in general?

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How soon can I excercise

My new pacemaker was implanted about 3 weks ago. This is my second one implanted to upgrade to a biventricular ICD. Is it safe after 3 weeks to start walking the treadmill I was told could start swing a golf club after 4 weeks and start playing hockey again after about 12 weeks.

Anxous to start getting back into shape a little. Any advice?
Jim

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