Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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Stess Test follow-up

For informational purposes I thought I'd provide an update.  Just completed a stress test this morning.  The Boston Sci. tech was in the room to monitor me as well.  The doctor wanted to rule out the pacemaker at being the cause of the v-tach I'm experiencing during exercise.  Their first thoughts were exercise induced RVOT might be my problem.  However, the stress test revealed the pacemaker might actually be the cause...

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Jogging/running?

I'm a little over 12 months in from having my CRT-D implanted, while it has been a slightly bumpy ride I'm starting to feel like I'm getting there. I've been attending cardiac rehab (NHS) and slowly increasing my exercise levels. In truth I found it really tough to begin with but feel like I'm making reasonable progress now.

I've started to do some jogging and gradually increased the duration to around 8k. I'm pretty slow and it takes me 50mins or s...

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Running with a Pacemaker

Hi!  I had my pacemaker implanted in 2015 after my heart rate kept tanking out and causing me to pass out.  Due to a HORRIBLE family history of early cardiac death in both parents, it was decided I needed a pacemaker.  I get it, and I'm grateful.  But, I've struggled with running ever since.  I've done a couple of half marathons and one full marathon (which was dismal) but now that I'm training again, I'm having a hard time, struggling with what fe...

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Breath Shortness

About 6 months ago (Nov 2016) I played tennis and was very short of breath. Went to my cardiologist and a pulmonist who both said I'm fine.

I recently went to a osteopath for a sacroiliac problem and I mentioned my shortness of breath to him. He said his father had the same problem and changing his pacemaker setting cleared it up.

Has anyone ever heard of that?

Maury Hill

Westport, CT

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UUGGHH!!

Hello Again,

My background: Boston Scientific Essentio MRI compat implanted in June-2016 for bradycardia and low heart rate during exercise (it would climb, but not as high as it should).  Max tracking rate was originally set at 140 with rate response sensititivty setting at 8.  Begin to run again and out of the blue started having ventricle tach pop-up after 30 minutes of activity, which of course threw everything out of whack.  More tests came back negative fo...

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What is your max rate setting?

Curious question for all endurance junkies.  My max is set at 150 and, believe it or not, I think it's too high for endurance sport at my age of 45.  At first I thought the max setting was too low and had it raised, but now think the lower setting was better and it was the sensitivitiy setting that was the real problem.  I sometimes wish I could just adjust the darn thing myself.

Anyway, what is your max setting?

Thanks. 

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Upper body weight training

Hi there, 

i was wondering I'm 6 weeks post implant and wanting to get back in the gym. I love lifting weights nothing heavy but around 10lbs on each arm. I wondered if there was any arm/chest excercises I should avoid due to the pacemaker. I've heard you shouldn't really do 'flys' can anyone out there help? Please don't say to ask my doctor, I like in the UK and had my operation done on the NHS and advice/help is very vague/minimal. Thank you so much&n...

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Recovery expectations

Hi, I'm a newly wired body. I have found this site to be a real comfort and source of information as I go through this experience. It's nice to be able to read practical and real life experiences rather than just the medical side of things. It gave me a better handle on the panic that set in when the idea of a pacemaker was first suggested to me.

I was hoping someone could help me with understanding what I should expect now that I'm wired. I had my PPM installed on 23/3/17 a...

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swimming

I had pacemaker installed 3/3/17. I also broke my right wrist (had to get pacemaker before wrist surgery could be done because of low heart rate with anesthesia).  I used to swim a lot (my entire life, I'm 53), now I'm worried I won't be able to do anything in the pool between wrist and pacemaker!  I'm not fast, never have been, but I love the water.  I used to do a lot of freestyle and backstroke, and if I have to reduce pool time, that's fine, but I'm...

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Newbie

Got my pacemaker on Thursday April 6 2017.  Still in denial that I needed one but went with what was best.  Feeling good, not much pain just a dull ache in my shoulder.  Keeping the arm as active as possible without reaching above my shoulder height.  I love to play tennis every day so the 6 weeks will be a real downer.  Hope to be back playing asap.  Do other tennis players have any advice on things I should be careful about when starting back?

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Threshold and slope adjustment

HI all,

I'm a 67 year old male that had a St. Judes 2-wire pacemeker installed last November in response to the development of Afib.  I needed the Packemaker because the 25mg of Metoprolol my cardiologist wanted me to start taking was going to slow my heart rate.  After 35 years of running I had a resting rate in the low to mid 40's and a sleeping rate in the low 30's.  The pacemaker is set on the low end at 60 bpm.

I began running again about six weeks...

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weightlifting

Have any of you lifters out there tried DB shoulder presses keeping the weight in close to the body.  I am new to this site and am 3 months out since implant.

Thank You Kindly

Trainer

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Sky Diving?

Has anyone gone sky diving with their pacemaker? Or should I just call my doctor on this one?

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Running with a pacemaker

Hi,  I am a 30 year old female with an AV Block and may have to get a pacemaker. I am a long distance runner (100km trail marathons). WIll having a pacemaker effect my running, Does a pacemaker change the way you live your life. I am currently struggling with the symtoms of my AV Block, however, I am worried about what changes a pacemaker would have. Has anyone had positive experieces with endurance and pacemakers. Or was in difficult getting back to sports. 

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Re: Hiking with ICD

New ICD recipient as of Jan 6

I was fairly athletic before my VFIB arrest and emergency ICD implant.

Im about to get my azz off the couch but I'm paranoid about the zzzzing 🔥

Wish me luck 

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ICD protector

Hi,

I have been using a chest protector fitted in a 'shooters vest' (see Elite Sports) for martial arts  for 2 years now and it has allowed me to continue at both judo & aikido practice, which I have done since 1965 and have no intention of stopping.

                                                          &nbs...

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Anybody ride horses?

hi everyone. Has anyone ever taking up horse back riding. I've been riding for 2 years and I love it. It's low impact but great for loosing weight.  I was 115 pounds 2 years ago now I'm 106 pounds. Its also good for your body and soul.  All ages can ride horses. You can just ride for fun or you can compete. For the past 2 years I have been competing my pony and we are doing great. 

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Pacemaker report vs. fitbit report

Hi Gang!  So Im on my second fitbit here.  I got one to get a daily snapshot for myself as i start to exercise again.  Bottom line here, the fitbit compared to my PM records are waaaaaaaaaay off.   Fitbit is 20-30 beats off in every category: Max heart rate, average daily hi/low rates.  ugh!   It seems to closely mirror the hills and valleys on the chart, which is good, but it maintains that 20-30 beat difference.   So, any...

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Aching pain over PM due to exercise?

I hope everyone is doing well! I have had my PM for almost three months, after being cleared by my doctor I have got back into bodybuilding. Slowly incorporating chest and shoulder movements, putting emphasis on dynamic stretching, along with adding some cardio sessions as the cut begins. Recently I've been experiencing some aching pain over my PM area, I've taken it lighter on my chest but it still is persisting. It's not crippling but it is annoying. Any ideas?

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Post op week 2

I just walked 2.5 miles, slowly but it went well. Just wanted to share. Thanks! Denise 

 

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You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.