cycling

Hi everyone. I am a 36 yo who just had my first pacemaker put in on 9/14/10. I'm looking forward to starting cycling again (mostly mtn bike). I've been doing some reading and it seems like sometimes the pms don't respond to cycling well because the exercise response is set to respond to movement, and you don't move much on the bike. My doc wants me to wait until a stress test next week to really try. Just seeing if anyone else has had any success, or issues with cycling or any thoughts on the exercise response features. I have a medtronic ADDR01 dual chamber. I have a second degree AV block type II (mobitz) that developed in late August with dizzy spells and exercise intolerance . My settings have been adjusted a few times since I've had it implanted because I was getting short of breath going upstairs or just walking quickly (before september this year I was doing duathlons that took 2-3 hours) Thanks! Greg

10 Comments

should be fine!

by Tracey_E - 2010-11-02 04:11:15

Your dr is smart to do a stress test! That's a lot more effective than guessing at settings for activity. I suspect what you've read is can be a problem is a feature called rate response, which is sensitive to movement and raises your hr for you. This is great for people who can't get their atrial rate up on their own with exercise. If your only problem is av block, your atrial rate (nature's pacemaker) works just fine, but the signal gets blocked on the way to the ventricles and you pace ventricle rather than atrial. You don't really need rate response because that part of your heart works like it should. Some drs turn it off altogether, some leave it on just because it's there and they assume it won't cause problems. It doesn't always, but it can interfere so I prefer to have mine off.

Exercise response

by Quemal - 2010-11-02 06:11:04

i too ride a bike, road riding though, and some touring. I also have a Medronic Adapta dual chamber PM. I haven't notice any problems with my heart rate.

I use a Garmin 705 GPS, with heart monitor, and noticed my HR goes up rather fast, especially on hills... My average HR, has not changed, up or down since my PM was implanted.

Hope this helps...

Ride safe.

thanks

by gmoehrlin - 2010-11-02 11:11:49

Thank you guys for your responses. When I originally found out and got my pacemaker, I really didn't think there were many other people like me who had one and were active athletes. Its nice to know that others are in the same boat, and that life really can return to normal. I look forward to getting to know you guys om these forums.

Greg

RR

by ElectricFrank - 2010-11-03 01:11:42

AV Block by itself is no indication for having RR turned on. My guess is that with your implant being recent you haven't had a programming session yet. The pacemakers come from the factory with RR turned ON and the docs tend to leave them that way.

The other factory setting that affects active athletic people is the Upper Pacing Limit (or some name like that). This usually has a factory setting of 120bpm which is way to low for any kind of serious exertion.

I encountered this problem when I received my original pacer in 2004 for complete block. After some research I insisted that the RR be turned OFF and my upper limit be set to 150. With that I was back at it again.

frank

PM Techs

by biker72 - 2010-11-03 06:11:20

I'm mainly a road cyclist and I've found that PM techs in general have very little experience with people that exercise.

The stress test is a great idea. Hopefully you'll be able to get the settings properly set.

In my case the RR has been turned off and the MV sensor is doing all the pacing.

Pacer problem

by Mitch - 2010-11-04 02:11:27

I had a Medtronic installed at age 71 in 2006 after suffering a syncope while cycling. Since then I have continued to cycle up to 1400mi. mo. and run,
At first I had lots of minor problems but after 3 trips to get it adjusted all is fine. Like some of the previous comments I had the rate response turned off and that took care of most issues. The Doc that installed it did an "out of the box" install and I was told later that this never works. I was lucky to find a new Doc and tech to adjust. My low rate was set at 60 even tho I had told the Doc my resting rate was 40. When I had it reset to 50 my problems with sleeping and palpitations went away.
I did have problems with a Polar monitor that would jump up to 250 and stay there. I changed to a Sigma cycle computer with HRM. Did find that if the chest strap was up around the ribs it would show correct reading except if I slowed down it would not come down for quite a while. I moved the strap to below the ribs and have had no more problems in over 12000 miles of riding.
Mitch

That's the way to do it Mitch

by ElectricFrank - 2010-11-05 01:11:10

My take on it is that most cardiologists are fairly decent to excellent plumbers, haven't a clue when it comes to electronics. The best bet is either the pacemaker rep or a good EP. My guess is the rep is best because it is his job to have his companies pacemaker work as perfect as possible. While an EP likely is knowledgeable he is under the same gun as most docs to get the patient out the door in the shortest time.

I was fortunate in having an electronic background and could specify my settings myself.

That's a lot of miles you put on your self. How often do you have your oil changed? LOL

frank

No prob

by alexk - 2010-11-15 12:11:46

I mountain bike a little big, and BMX a lot, no problems.

Getting used to the drugs after my '07 implant took some time, but I'd hop on and ride right now, no worries. In fact I raced BMX quite a bit this past weekend.

cycling

by jazzman - 2010-12-02 09:12:34

I too am an active cyclist, aged 59. Living in MN, I hang my bike up in fall and set up a trainer inside. Cycling with the medtronic adapta works fine, however, if I set out for a walk, I am in serious pain, often leading to nausea. Tonight it happened again and my many visits to EP lab have not solved this problem. I have had all diagnostics for blockage etc. and am clear, I have SSS and a second degree AV block. It has been 2 1/2 years of frequent trips to the lab, still no good results. Even wiping down the kitchen counter causes me chest discomfort.

Anyone out there with similar issues/suggestions?

Metric Century

by pureart - 2010-12-24 11:12:09

I have a Medtronic concerto ll icd, installed 7/1/10. I am 56 and have been an avid cyclist riding 50 to 75 miles a week, plus mountain biking 2 to 3 times a month. I received the icd due to an ef of less than 30% but I have always been asymptomatic.
I returned to cycling 5 week after and have continued to feel stronger, doing a metric century (62miles) on 12/22.
Everyone is different but be sure your Medtronic tech knows what you are trying to do, have them adjust your settings to allow for your activities.
Most of my appointments are spent with the Medtronic tech because the Dr doesn't have a clue about the settings aspect of the Icd. I have learned many tips on this site as to what to ask for - I have my rate response on and my high at 160 and that does the trick in my situation.

Best,
Debra

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I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for pacemakers. I've had mine for 35+ years. I was fainting all of the time and had flat-lined also. I feel very blessed to live in this time of technology.