Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

Post Message!

Rate response problems with Medtronic Azure pacemaker while cycling

   I am a 69 year-old experienced male cyclist, having ridden for over 35 years.  I began cycling after experiencing a hip injury that still prevents me from running.  I always ride with a chest-strap heart rate monitor.  Around 12 months ago I began experiencing fatigue, dizziness and low heart rate while riding, occasionally at first and then with increasing frequency.  I was eventually diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome/bradycardia, and had a Medtronic Azure d...

Read More...

Accurate heart rate monitoring post pacer

I am post Medtronic DC pacer 6/30/20 for trifasiclular block. I am generally doing better but wondering if anyone is having trouble with heart rate monitors. When working out on Zwift my HR (via Bluetooth)increases fairly appropriately but at one point starts decreasing despite continued heavy exertion falling back. to the 70's. On the other hand my Apple Watch records a high rate at the same time. Any explanations?

Read More...

Lifting with opposite arm

Nothing was said after surgery or in the post op paperwork about restrictions of weight  lifting with the arm opposite of your pm. Are there any. Yesterday i lifted a jug of water about 40#'s with my off arm, going to call dr today, but thought i'd ck with you guys first, thanks

Read More...

Exercise and PM adjustments

I have a dual chamber pacemaker/ICD set for 50 bpm. The EP wanted it set low enough because when it paced I became "symptomatic." He wanted to all but turn it off. So rather than flipping the off switch, so to speak, he put it low enough that I just wouldn't pace. 

Since then, I have gradually returned to my cycling and have become as non-competively proficient as I ever was (minus the long six-hour rides). But now I go through definite periods when my breathing...

Read More...

Over-training?

I'm now 7 weeks post-pacemaker implant, which was done to prevent blackouts I was suffering due to low resting heart rate. It only kicks in if heart rate drops below 50bpm.

I'm a very keen cyclist, 33 years old. I was in good shape before this but lack of training over last 3-4 months is starting to show and I want to get back to full fitness.

Now that the device is in and has been checked my doctor has basically said I can start to train to get back to where I was fi...

Read More...

Pacemaker tuning for mountain biking

I am a 71 year old mountain bike enthusiast but I can't keep up with my friends anymore. I had my pacemaker put in about 5 months ago. After the initial disorientation I started taking data on heart rate during my rides (apple watch). I felt that my heart rate was too low (130 bpm) during steep pitches. Gradually we've increased that over the months to 150 bpm with the slowest recovery time possible and supposedly a pretty sensitive to motion response.  I am learning how to...

Read More...

New member advice request

Hi All

I am due to have a pacemaker fitted next week and would be grateful for any advice on settings to enable me to continue running to a similar level than at present.

I am a 63 year old  male and ran a sub 20 minute 5k before lockdown with a HR max of around 155 to 165 when racing and 125 to 130 when running steadily 

I would be grateful for advice on settings and questions I should ask to find what suits though appreciate from other posts that it might take fu...

Read More...

skydiving

Hello,

Last week I was looking for information on skydiving with a pacemaker. I couldn't find anything conclusive and there are a lot of contradictory opinions. I had my pacemaker installed 4 years ago for a 3rd-degree heart block. I'm only 51 now. My husband thought it would be fun to try skydiving and I hoped I would be able to use the excuse of my pacemaker and not be allowed to go. I called my PM doctor and he told me there should not be any issues(great, no excuses now!!)&n...

Read More...

Heart rate and excercise

Hi

Last week I had a telephone appointment with a cardiologist I haven't seen before and I explained that I am still suffering with breathlessness and fatigue, so his response was you need to improve your fitness levels. 

I have done a couple of brisk power-walks on the treadmill and I still experience the issue of my heart rate getting to about 120bpm and then crashing to the base limit of 60. It then will only recover by about 20-30bpm thus meaning my workout is ex...

Read More...

Bodybuilding with Pacemaker

Hello all,

I got my pacemaker on 07/06/2020. Prior to the pacemaker, I was an avid weightlifter and competitive bodybuilder. My doctor cleared me to exercise about a week ago, but told me I should avoid any intense weightlifting or repetitive movements ( which exercise is a series of). Has anyone had any issues with the device or leads when lifting? Also, if there are any bodybuilding competitors on the forum, how has this changed the way you prepare f...

Read More...

New pacer. Exercise issues

Thank you Crustyg. Since decreasing the ADL sensitivity my tachycardia with minimal exertion has resolved. I am still perplexed as to why my HR remains at 130 (maximum ventricular pacing limit) long after I crest a steep hill and then gliding for a significant amount of time. Today this occurred on road bike on smooth pavement. It eventually comes down but I do not need 130 going down a hill!  I wonder about the deceleration adjustment. I think it is set at 10 minutes. What is...

Read More...

Resume Biking

I'm post dual lead BostonScientific PM implantation device for 6 weeks now.  Been going well so far!  I'm very eager to start and try to reassemble my previous life to the PM. Cycling is very important, so I'm curious about how long it took others to resume this activity (mountain biker and road/gravel rider, serious about it but it's still all about the fun).  Some of the post-op directions/suggestions were no strenuous activity for 3-6 months. What have you be...

Read More...

Post implant exercising

How long after implant can you golf as long as you swing very easy? My doc saying 4-6 weeks. I've also read several places 2-3 weeks, going at it easy.

Read More...

New pacer. Exercise issues

 I am a 67 y/o recent recipient of a Medtronic Azure XT DR pacer for heart block and chronotropic incompetence. I am very active preferring cycling as my exercise of choice. I have struggled with random fast heart rates occurring with minimal exertion walking. Upper limit HR 130 seems to gradually upslope when cycling but once I hit it the rate tends to hold despite easier exertion at crest of a hill. Also noticed that bumpy downhills (gravel rides) keep HR elevated as well. Still workin...

Read More...

HR dropping while on climbs cycling

Had a PM (Medtronic Azure) for about 18months, going back a few times for technicians to retune. Can run fine with hr in the 165/170 region and consistent.

Problem I am having though is that when cycling it is not picking up movement correctly, in that when I start climbing, half way up a hill it thinks I've stopped moving so starts reducing the HR. Wouldn't be so bad but leads to basically hitting 'the wall' , dizzy and wandering a bit on the road. Not good with tr...

Read More...

Question -- about sports with a pacemaker

Hi All

I'm totally new to this site and could use some advice if you have time to share.  

I just turned 60.  I will need a pacemaker.  I never passed out but did get ligh-headed a few times in the last year.    The doctor monitored me for 14 days a Zio patch and my heart stopped 3 times for 1 second each.   My normal beats were around 49-61 beats per min.    I avoided all sports  during the monitoring period.  &...

Read More...

Really beginning to get cycling again.

I am 78 and a lifetime cyclist. I am 4 months post op when I recieve a replacement Aortic Valve (Via TAVI) and a single line Boston Scientific pacemaker. I am in permanent Afib according to the ECG and the PM is doing its job.

After 6 weeks I was exercising whithin reason. Over the next few weeks with the support of my Cardiologst the PM Tech and the Cardio Rehab, I am getting out and really enjoying an active cycling/sports life again.

The PM has been set 50 low an...

Read More...

tachycardie

Hi Germita,

The upper limit setpoint was adjusted from 170 to 200bpm -it was decided that my physical efforts during competition and training could exceed the 170bpm mark so pm rep. found it justified to increase upper limit allso as a safety precaution that this incident won't occur again.My first bike test I couldn't pass the 145 bpm threshold due to the pm holding back- my 2nd bike test as I explained I had to do some serious cycling that took me to 182 bpm.During cyclin...

Read More...

Rate Response Boston Scientific S606

I have a Boston Scientific Altura 60, S606 DDDR Pacemaker instralled 29Nov 2010. Last regular interrogaiton 4/11/20. Was told I had 3  mos of battery left. What I could see of the monitor showed the battery indicator way  to the left either in the ERT or EOL range; I am not an  MD, and I could not see it well enough to be sure but it was way to the left, and the electrophysiologist said 3 mos. In April I began walking 2 - miles per day up from 1-2 miles; in June began swimming...

Read More...

rowing

Hi all hope you are all well.

I recently bought a rowing machine and was told to keep my heart rate no more thasn 150 as I`m now 70, (old gummers assoc!), anyway.. has anyone had issues with digoxin because I take it azlong with elequis, and I find my hear still races a bit when exercising, I thought digoxin doesnt let it get to high..the other day when on my rower my heart rate went upto about 165 but came back to normal with 4-5 minutes, wonder if beta blockers are better. thank you f...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

Intel inside is your motto.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.