Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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tapping on pacemaker

I noticed that tappiong on the unit, St Jude, will increase the HR.I'm having trouble getting the HR to respond to effort when cycling. I tried using a thunping type of massage machine at home and it actually works good when placed right over the PM. It goes from 60 resting seated to 85 fairly quickly. My home unit is 110 volts so obviously wont work on a bike. Has anyone tried a mobile unit, battery operated?

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When to hit the gym....

ok- very fit gym going guy.... had my day 10 visit post PM yesterday- everything is working ok but I think I will be paranoid about my leads dislodging forever. My MD told me a story of a guy at month 6 who went on a roller coaster and jerked back his arms and his leads came loose. Oh well....big questions;

1) Returning to the gym? Pull-ups, pushups, chest, shoulders....I guess I will start very slow with legs, isolated arms, etc....maybe at the month to 6 week mark. Any others out th...

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change settings remotely

Can a St Jude PM be adjusted remotely by cell phone? If so can the user do this? I would like to increase the sensitivity of the accelerometer before cycling. It only paces me up to 75 BM, like a brisk walk. The rest comes from my natural heart, which only gets up to about 105 on a mountain bike. Tapping on the device doesn't do much.

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Crossfit....when to do lifts

I have had my pacemaker 3 months today. Before I got it I was a crossfitter for 3 years. I think it is time to get back to it. My worry is pulling the leads on different lifts. Does anyone know if the snatch and kipping pullups are out for me or can I do them without pulling anything. I know I will need to start out light but would like to at least get a 95 pound snatch again..also, what about overhead squats and handstand pushups? Not sure what i can and cannot do. Love my box just noon...

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TOM TOM CARDIO warning ???

Hi,
The Tom Tom site says consult your GP before using the Cardio GPS device if, like us , you have a pacemaker fitted.

Is this them just covering there backs or is there an issue?

I understood it worked via a light sensor which I cannot see being a problem and am pretty sure my GP will not have a clue. (Although she has been brilliant in every other way.)

I've just asked for one as a birthday present and am wondering?

Thanks nick

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Going off Meds

So I had my yearly Echo and no events this year. In short, last year in March and April I experienced fainting episode while running and sustained vtach. I got an Icd and also on Sotalol 40 mg 2x per day. I continue to run and workout, not doing heavy mileage nor high intensity. I feel great. Docs say I can now come off the meds! I am interested in anyone else on here who has successfully come off meds, but are runners and athletes who still workout and have an ICD. Hope to hear from you! I have...

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4 months in...just ran 10 miles (16 km)!

Hi All,

Yesterday, (4 months and a bit after getting my PM), i completed the Phuket 10 mile (16 km) run... in 28 degree heat!

Admittedly, i was a bit slower than usual, but i made it! I'm so happy (despite the muscle aches) that i have got my fitness back, my PM didn't even blink.

Not so long ago, i didnt think i would ever be able to do something like that again...i was wrong.

Really enjoying reading all the comments on here...You guys rock! Take ca...

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5 k 🏃😀

Feeling like I am a runner again, 3rd age group 265 over all , 1711 in the race. 13 months post pacemaker. Cannot wait till the next race !! 60 and not stopping.....

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Heart Rate dropping gradually- Cardio Exercise

Hi
I am new to the club.Please ignore if I am asking the wrong question.

I had a resting heart rate of around 90bpm two months back.I recently started working out and I do treadmill everyday as a part of the daily routine.When running on treadmill,my heart rate goes to a maximim of 173 bpm.

After several days of working out, my heart rate fell to 75,which I thought was proper as Treadmill makes the heart stronger.But I recently found that my heartrate has dropped furth...

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Cycling with a pacemaker

Girls and Boys
Just passed the 2 year mark with my St.Jude pacemaker and thought I should pass on my experience as a very keen recreational cyclist and former racer. I hope this will give some positive encouragement to people coming back to the sport post insertion.
63 years young, fitted due to A.Fib, very low pulse over night (20bpm) heart block etc.
Currently riding 5 days out of 7, average speed on hilly courses around 25km over 40 to 80 km.
min. 8-10 hours a week on the...

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5 x Marathoner dreaming of more, with PM!

Hi,
Im a journalist. I live in Costa Rica - yes, beautiful, huh! - I ran 5 marathons so far: twice NY, Rome, Paris, and Athens. Now, last month, I got my pacemaker. And first question for the doctor was "can I run more marathons", he said "yes, that little fella on your chest, is like a BMW".
So, I hope to run my sixth in September.
Any marathoners here?

Im 37 years old. Its been just a month after surgery, but I hope this afternoon, the doctor will let me run a...

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Run 100s

Does anyone know of someone who has run a 100 mile ultrmarathon with a cardiac pacemaker?

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Pm for an active person

At 68, I still ski, hike, run. At least I did until recently. Been diagnosed with sinus node disorder. Harry runs in the 40s dipping to 30s while asleep. The only symptom is I get out of breath when I ramp up exercise. Getting a pm in about a month. Doc has mentioned Medtronic and Biotronix as options. Does anyone have thoughts on which pm has the best rate responsive characteristics? I understand there are different approaches to adapting to higher exercise demands on the cv system. My goal is...

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How Soon can I get back to working out

I had my pacemaker put in Feb 4 2015. No issues and after 3 weeks was allowed to start lifting my arm above my head and lifting things over 10lbs. I see alot of different info about when to start working out. Some sites say 12 weeks other say 4 weeks.
I plan to start slow but wondering, whats the average weeks people on this site have waited

Thanks
Kevin

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Re return to high level horse riding and jumping.

Hi. I had my pacemaker put in at the end of December 2014. My biggest problem is getting advice on returning to horse riding and jumping. I compete and agree I can come off if horse suddenly stops at a high jump. I have had varying degrees of advice from people/Doctors from yes you can return to any sport regardless , to a Doctor saying today that it is not wise because of the risk of the falls when jumping. She feels that the leads can be ripped out too easily if I have a fall!!!
I feel d...

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I like to lose weight

I have a pacemaker. what exercise can I do .

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Boxing Gym

Good Day to all!

i'm happy to be here :) Im currently on my 4th month with my pacemaker. before my pacemaker im on weightlifting gym. now that i have pacemaker i stopped lifting, right now im planning to go to a boxing gym will it be okay if im just there for their cardio stuff? no upper left chest/arm movement involved also punching only at right arm. although there's jumping jacks. will it be okay for me? i'm a little scared, is 4 months already okay? thanks for the answers in advan...

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New to this

Hello! I had my pacemaker implanted on January 26. I have been working on getting back in shape. I have noticed I can start an activity and feel great then all of a sudden will feel kind of strange like the energy was drained. If I keep working I can push through but it's diconcerting has anyone else had this experience?
I have also noticed it after eating sometimes.

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Anxious about returning to full sport activities.

I am very unsure of when a person typically can return to full Sporting activities such as golf, front crawl swimming , horse riding , tennis,badminton etc.
I know one had to be cautious of aggressive over arm movements but how long does it take for the leads to be firmly adhesed in the heart or is it always a risky thing to pull the leads out?

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Atrial Tach

I finished 33 treatments of radiation for breast cancer on Jan 15th and decided to take part in the Donna foundation "finish breast cancer" on Valentines weekend by walk/run the 5k.
The last part of the race for me was grueling, I could hardly walk let alone run, but I made it to the finish line in 34 mins. I was ecstatic as any of you out there who have suffered the treatment for breast cancer well know it is more than a race that I had achieved that day.
I went to see my EP the week...

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A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.