Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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Cardiac rehabilitation & exercise stress testing to optimize rate adaptation

I had a state of the art Biotronik Eluna 8 DR-T (dual chamber) implanted last year after my 2nd degree AV block type II (Mobitz) got progressively worse over a period of years of living with it. It usually manifested as exercise induced spontaneous bradycardia with accompanying arrhythmia that would be triggered when I reached a specific HR threshold.

I had the PM programming set initially the day after surgery, and re-programmed twice since then all in an effort to optimize the pacing,...

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under the skin

My implant is under the skin, so I hope it won't be a problem working out.  I practice yoga, fast walk and had just gotten back into weight training this past summer.  I had forgotten how much I loved weights, so I really hope I can get back into that.  I do worry a bit that the location of the device, center of left chest under the collar bone, will not interfere with anything.  I use TRX/QueenX as well as dumbbells and machines for pull downs for back and chest work....

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exercise heartrate

so I'm a Mason, I got my shiny new ICD installed almost 4 weeks ago. Every day when I start walking on the treadmill my heartrate shoots up above 150. I think I'm being paced but none of the people at the facility seem concerned should I be concerned a little or change something. they do monitor me the whole time but it feels like they should say something or is it normal and just my life now.

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Hello, New to PM

I got my medtronic dual chamber PM on 12/7/18 due to sick sinus syndrome.  I just turned a young 66, and have been a type 1 diabetic for the past 54 years.  Fortunately I am now retired.  I used to exercise regularly by walking 6 miles 4-5 days/wk.  The symptoms came on slowly, and were compounded in getting a diagnosis because of another issue that affected my diaphragm.  But once I got referred to an EP doc the diagnosis was simple. I really need to get back to exer...

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hi anyone recommend protection to go over the pacemaker to protect it from straps

 hi anyone recommend protection to go over the pacemaker to protect it from straps from leaf blowers and back pack strimmers and items like this . i been told by technicians that i can use these but i have to be careful of putting these straps over the pacemaker site ..i seen some protections online like PACEGUARD but i am not sure if these are value for money or genuine   or  not why don't the uk make such protections for these devises th...

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new PM

2 weeks with the PM.  Not too bad, a little pulling and occasional weird twinges, but nothing scary.  No warning of a heart issue until I nearly passed out on Thanksgiving and went to ER, learned that my heartrate was dropping to 30 and needed a PM.  4 hours later, it was done.

I am quite a ways away from working out but I came across this site and liked what I was seeing.  I need to find a bra - I am thin with a very bony chest, so the PM really sticks out!&nbs...

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PM Sensor systems

I'm looking for feedback/opinions/experience with CLS sensors as found in Biotronik pacemakers.  I'm about to trade in my Medtronic (accerometer only) for a Biotronik with dual sensors-an accelerometer and CLS.  After doing a fair amount of internet research I was convinced the minute ventilation sensor found in Boston Scientific devices would be the best fit for my active lifestyle.  I've been frustrated with the Medtronic device since I received the...

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Apple Watch alarm settings

I’d like to buy an Apple Watch, but can’t seem to find an answer to a very important question for me... can you set an alarm on the Watch so that it will warn you before you hit your ceiling while you are exercising? I see that it will warn you if your heart rate spikes during inactivity, but I need to know this while I’m running. I’ve hit my ceiling before, and I don’t want to do that again. 

Thanks!

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Snow skiing frustration

My family and I used to snow ski a lot, so much so that he owned a condo at a world class ski resort.  The kids grew up, got married and I got an ICD.  Doctor says I can’t snow ski anymore... it’s in the DO NOT DO list.

So we sold the condo and had to find new sports to do together as husband and wife.

My frustration is that I (we) had to give up something we love to do.  My ICD has never gone off and it was placed, I was told after the fact, as precauti...

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Pacemaker

Hi, had my pacemaker fitted 26th october, thinking of going to a indoor swimming pool any advice, can I do this so close after surgery, ?

Thanks Reg

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Still Not 100%

I recently had a pacemaker put in back in Sep.  The doctors is still tweaking the device to meet my standards.  Still don't feel 100% myself still.  I am 50 y/o and frequent the gym (light weights and cardio) and take martial arts classes.  My question is will I ever feel 100%?  Also, I can feel the electric pulses from one of the leads.  Is this normal?  My doctor says the lead is in place and working properly.  Anyone else have this problem. ...

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Regular exercise

I’ve had my pacemaker and ICD in since June and have resumed more regular exercise. I swim 1.5 miles 4 days a week and cycle 3 to 4 times as well. Neither at a rediculous rate. But it occurs to me that as I become more fit, and my native heart rate wants to rest at a lower rate, will that require an adjustment. 

I am set at 60 bpm now. My heart feels great when I’m exercising  at a higher bpm — I stop to check my rate periodically mostly to see how smoot...

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Parachute jumping with a PM

I am now 82 years old and hade a tandem parachute jump for my 80th. Birthday. I was told that I should not have done that with a pacemaker. As I am now 100% paced after having an AV ablation. Can I still go for another parachute jump at 3000 ft. ? I had no problem before but now ?

Any advice would be welcomed.

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Elevation change?

Hello again, 

I have a quick question for any hikers with pacemakers out there. In a few weeks, I'm going to Colorado  and will be hiking in some of the mountains up there. Apart from not being in great shape since my last surgery and due to the elevation change, I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips or tell me how the elevation may affect me. I'm from Georgia, if that gives you any kind of hint of the type of elevation I'm used to! 

Thanks fo...

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bagpipes

Hi all, I am a fanantical bagpiper.My CRT P is a month in and I am wondering about opinion when I should start playing again..? I have been given the aok by the device technician.However the drone stock edge sits right on the wound which is quite painful at this stage.Piping requires an unbelieveable amount of thoracic movement and blowing force for the bag to stay inflated.Any pipers out there with any advice please thankyou..?

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Fightsport with pm in abdominal muscles

Hey guys,

I have a pm in my abdominal submuscula, or in normal words, beneath the muscles of my upper abs. The placement is just under one of my ribs. I got my pm in 2012 so it's been a while now and I am completely used to it being there and mostly know what I can and cannot do with it. For example, I know I can work out and lift heavy weights with it just fine, but I cant trains abs with added weights or ab-weight-machines, or else my pm will displace. Lately, I've been very i...

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Pulmonary Function Test

I had a full - on Pulmonary Function Stress Test preceded by a spirometry test yesterday.  -  I was wired into this, that, EKG belt, mouthpiece, BP cuff, Oxygen sensor and a few other items while on a treadmill. HMMMM--- good thing treadmill use is part of my daily exercise regime!  Treadmill started slowly, - 1 mph -  @ no incline, and for the next 15 minutes it was ramped up to 4 mph at an incline of 15.  Yeah, it got me huffin' and puffin'  -...

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Exercise after pm implant for total A/V block?

Hey all, this is my first time here. I received my pacemaker on August 1st this year, after being hospitalized with level 3 A/V block, suspected to be caused by Lyme Carditis, though I do also have Fabry's Disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so it could be any of those.

Anyhow, my pm is set at 60bpm, and is a dual chamber. Whenever I am doing any activity where my heart rate gets up (I'm not sure of exact bpm, it may vary?), my heart feels very strange, the beats are very...

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Re biventricular pacemaker

Hello. I have just booked in to have a biventricular pacemaker. I have been enjoying crossfit for a year and am very keen to continue. I have been reading through some of the posts about returning to crossfit with a pacemaker. I just would love to know does it matter what type of pacemaker it is or do I have every chance of returning once I have healed and comfortable to do so. I actually did mention to the doctor to place the device under muscle so I can do as much movement and not be too re...

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trekking in high elevations

Had my pacemaker inserted Feb 2018 and about to trek to Everest Base Camp in Dec 2018.  My cardiologist says I'm good to go but I'm soooo nervous.  Anyone else make this trek and what wonderful information can you offer?

Thanks!!

Elizabeth

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You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.