Do you tell the gym about pacemaker

So I am 21 and got a pacemaker 7 weeks ago. I am ready to start working out again but I have always worked out at the gym with my husband but because of the surgery we are so tight on money we can't afford to waste money on the childcare at the daycare. I want to go without the husband but do I mention something to someone at the gym like if anything happens I have a pacemaker? Then there are different workers at different times of the day so is that something they would put in my info? That is where I would also have them put to call my hubby or grandmother if something were to happen. is this unnecessary? I don't want to carry my card around with me at the gym.

Also wondering about cell phones and emergency contact info. Before I got my andriod my older cell could be locked but you could still access the few ICE contacts I had put. My andriod I am pretty sure does not have this option and i keep it locked to keep my daughter off of it but if I were out alone and something happened i worry how would my husband or grandmother know right away? I might look into seeing if there are ICE apps to download but anyone know about this?

6 Comments

Gym workout

by donb - 2012-11-15 04:11:16

Hi Sugarbunny, After reading your posting you have lots of concerns regarding gym workout. My 1st thoughts were that lots of your questions should be brought up to management of your gym. Probably the #1 issue is proper warm up before workout and also proper cool down after workout. Having gone through Cardiac rehab program through my hospital after having my 1st heart stent along with my pacemaker it really helped me with a positive frame of mind.
Also I would get in touch with your hospital & Dr who did your implant for guidance. I know in my case my Cardiologist just suggested a regular Gym but my GP Dr. put me into Cardiac Rehab program which covered all of your concerns. Also depending if you have insurance coverage it would really benfit you to do at least attend a 1st phase program & then go to a regular gym. The #1 caution is monitoring your HR so you don't exceed your upper HR limit and even more important that you do a gradual slow-down after having a high HR. I ran into a problem with a missinformed RN who pulled me off a treadmill "NOW" while I was topped out on HR. She needed the treadmill for another patient "NOW". Well she learned quickly never to do that again as I went down when my HR went from 130 to 60 which is not "cool".
I'm sure your Gym will answer your questions to give you support in your dealing with having a PM.
donb

gym

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-15 05:11:47

The coaches at my gym know about my pm and my emergency contact information is in my file as well as the phone number and password to my OMR (online medical record), the same info that's on my medic alert. Sometimes a different coach is there but I don't worry about that much, if anything happened they'd go to the file for emergency contact anyway and it's all right there.

My emergency contact info is on my OMR, which is on my medic alert bracelet. I try to remember to wear it any time I'm out alone.

As for the phone, my emergency contacts are in as ICE. If someone looked in my contacts, that's what they'd find under that name- the home number, my husband's cell and my sister's cell.

I had my android locked for the first day I had it, I kept missing calls trying to unlock it so I turned it off. No idea how someone could use a locked phone, maybe ask where you bought it?

Hmmm

by ElectricFrank - 2012-11-16 01:11:58

My take is different. Unless you have some serious heart condition besides the pacemaker there is really nothing special you need to do. Just treat yourself like you would when you are away from workouts and build up slowly. Be aware that your pacemaker may need some adjustment as you move up into the higher heart rates so if you feel your heart skipping beats slow up a bit. Then see the clinic and ask to have your lower limit raised.

My workouts are hiking and camping in the desert alone. I've never notified the coyotes or jack rabbits that I have a pacer.

enjoy getting back at it again,

frank

GYM

by skeetandtrap - 2012-11-21 10:11:21

WELL, I AM 77 SO MY WORKOUTS ARE ON THE LIGHT SIDE - 30 MIN. STAIR MASTER AND 15 MINUTES OF WEIGHTS.
DID NOT DO MUCH UNTIL THE 6 WEEK PERIOD WAS UP TO INSURE THE LEADS WERE TIGHT.
BASICALLY I DO WHATEVER I FEEL LIKE TAKING CARE OF OUR PROPERTY AND GOING TO THE GYM.
THE DOCTOR BASICALLY HAS TOLD ME TO HAVE AT IT!
HAVE HAD A P.M. FOR 4 YEARS. ONE PASS OUT.
THIS HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE TO STAND IN ONE PLACE FOR A LONG PERIOD, ITS HOT, AND MAYBE SOMEWHAT DEHYDRATED.

Gym

by Cuse - 2012-11-22 10:11:01

When exercising or traveling I always wear a Medic Alert
chain. The small annual fee is well worth the piece of mind if something were to happen. Hope this helps.

Road ID

by hjfarr - 2012-12-15 09:12:20

I have worn a "Road ID" braclet ever since my PM implant in 2011.You tell them what to inscribe on the bracelet & there is room for emergency contact names & numbers, medications & the make and model of the PM. I wear mine all of the time as I am an avid triathlete and am either in the pool or on the road 5-6 days a week. www.roadid.com/

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To tell you the truth I never even give it a second thought. While growing up it never stopped me from doing anything and to this day my girlfriend or my kids need to remind me that I have one!