Exercising???

Good Evening,

I was wondering how many of you work out on a regular basis...cardio and weights???

How long did it take before you were able to do that?

I have my CRT-D implanted on Dec 9th and am still aching and according to the ICD nurse should stay away from weights for at least another 4 weeks...cardio is ok.

Like alot of you, exercising was a huge part of my life, mainly for stress relief. However, I didn't work out for two months prior to the surgery because I was sick and I'm beginning to muscle atrophy.

This device no doubt has made me feel better...

Thanks everyone...Happy Holidays.

Ron

6 Comments

Exercise

by ElectricFrank - 2009-12-21 02:12:03

The nurses instructions make sense. The main risk after implant is dislodging a lead from the heart wall. Anything that stretches the upper part of your body can pull on the lead wires. After 4-6 weeks they become scared into the blood vessel wall which protects them from pulling on the heart wall. Actually, weight training itself isn't the problem. As long as you know the physiology very well, you could engage in weight training, but it is all too easy to forget what you are doing.

As far as cardio you could pretty much start any time you feel like it. The bouncing and tugging on the incision will give feedback on this one. I started brisk walking the day after my implant and worked up from there. I rigged a more substantial sling than the cheapy one the hospital gave me. It helped to support my left arm.

Bottom line is be reasonable and work up gradually.

frank

When I went back...

by turboz24 - 2009-12-21 02:12:26

I was told just 2 weeks was all I had to take it easy for, so I had my ICD implanted on a Friday night, got out of the hospital Saturday, and 2 weeks later on Monday, started lifting weights again.

I did go slower for a while, considering the incision hurt and I wasn't used to it being there/uncomfortable.

I did have some issues with my arrythmia and med changes, which slowed my workouts some, but I had an ablation and was able to get off most of the medications, so I'm back to it.

1-1.5 hrs of weights every monday through Friday.

The ICD currently aches pretty badly when I do lateral raises, but it goes away after a day or 2. If it keeps bothering me, I'll see the doc and see what he can do and if there is nothing to be done, I'll just live with it.

Exercising

by janiejane - 2009-12-21 03:12:47

Hey Ronnie,

I'd say go for exercising as well. The general guidline is not to lift over a gallon with the arm on the side of the incision for 6-8 weeks. The meds may take some time to adjust, so the advise to be reasonable is good. I worked out a lot before my diagnosis, so I had to pull back substantially, but my doctor worked with me. I push the barriers a bit, but tell him everything. I walk, bike, swim & do yoga, without any major problems, just some minor adjustments. If you can, its important to balance the need for an ICD with quality of life and try to continue to do the things you love. I hope you feel better soon! Janiejane

go for it!

by Tracey_E - 2009-12-21 08:12:22

I started walking the day I was released from the hospital, picking up speed and adding distance until I could do classes and weights at the gym at about 8 weeks. I hadn't done much but sleep for the year before so it took some time to get my stamina back and I had to build up gradually. I found I was able to do things I never could have considered doing before, huge difference in my energy level. Good luck!

Neighbors in Colorado?

by COBradyBunch - 2009-12-22 02:12:27

given your uid I am guessing you and I are sort of neighbors here in CO. Anyway, I was told 4-6 weeks before weights but was given the okay for non-arm above head cardio as soon as I had my one week checkup. Work out at least 5 times a week (eliptical, bike, spinning but not a lot of weight training right now) and haven't had any issues except some occasional soreness around the implant site. Plan on getting back into some more lifting after the first of the year but right now was working more on burning calories.

Anyway, doc said just say away from things that would create direct impact on the pacer (took a basketball to it a couple of months ago and it hurt like hell) and her really doesn't recommend hanging by one arm on the left side. Other than that I am free to do what I want.

exercise is great

by Brantfordmuscle - 2010-01-08 09:01:06

Hi,
I'm a runner and ran 10K a week after getting my pacer. I was fine. Listen to the advice, go easy with the weights over your head for a while then very gradually increase.
Good luck.

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