Running Long Distances

I had my pacemaker implanted three weeks ago and started running 5 miles a day yesterday. I am interested in those who run and/or do prolonged cardio exercise and the effect on your pacemaker. I have bradycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and PAC (premature arterial complex) but am otherwise "healthy" - lol! I am also wondering if anyone is lifting weights - I am afraid to start up again and wonder if I ever should do so. Another thing - those of you who have bradycardia and got a pacemaker - did you have heart ablation before this (the way I did). I have read that sometimes that procedure causes bradycardia. I am nearly 68 years old and feel that the pacemaker has given me a new lease on life, but am not sure how long that lease is for!

9 Comments

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-18 07:12:19

I have brady from a congenital av block and have been fully dependent on my pm since 1994 so my new lease has been almost 20 years now! I've been active since the first weeks after I got the first one and it hasn't really had any effect on my pm, I don't think. I couldn't exercise without it, odds are good I wouldn't even be here without it. A few times I've developed minor problems related to working out but they were able to program around it. I'm in the best shape of my life thanks to my pm.

I do Crossfit 5 mornings a week which if you're not familiar is a high intensity varied workout with running, weights, jump rope, calisthenics ... it changes every day. This morning I did rowing, running with a weight vest, sit ups with a sand bag, leg lifts hanging from the pull up bar, and push ups. Yesterday was a barbell day with running, lunges with a kettlebell and throwing med balls. In other words, I do lots of things others on here have been told not avoid!

My official instructions from my dr are don't do anything stupid, stop if it doesn't feel right. I love my dr :o) He told me I have a problem that is fixed, forget about it and get on with my life. Not all drs are that liberal. Some drs have a reason for suggesting we take it easy, either other health problems or the position of the pm makes it unsafe to do overhead work and/or heavy weights. Some drs are just very conservative and recommend no or light weights for no particular reason. And anything in between! Ask 10 drs, get 10 answers.

Ask your dr if it's ok before doing anything new, but unless there's a specific reason why you should avoid weights, start slowly and go for it.

Weight Lifting, etc.

by wbeaudreault - 2012-12-18 07:12:48

thank you so much for making me feel that my life has been renewed with the pacemaker - i guess i am in post-operative "concern" (not really "depression") about what i can and what i can't do - i will have my first followup with the doctor next week and see what she says - i admire your sticking to your work-out schedule - i, too, am someone who knows he has to workout each day to feel alive - and yes, i agree, that every doctor and all of us PM people have different opinions on the subject of exercise - again, i appreciate your input -

can do

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-18 09:12:31

A bit of the blues and concern is perfectly normal. They tell us all about the physical healing but most drs don't mention it's an emotional adjustment also. Once we heal and start to feel better, to get back to activity, it gets easier to forget about it and move on. There are very few things we can't do!

If you didn't get an mri-compatible pm, you can't have an mri. I consider that the biggest drawback but most of you with new ones don't have to worry about that.

We can't arc weld and we can't get a job at a junkyard that has those big magnets that pick up the dead cars. I haven't lost much sleep over those ;o)

Tackle football and competitive karate aren't a good idea but they make protective shirts if that's your thing. You won't damage the pm but it will hurt like heck if you take a direct hard hit to it.

I was told no when I looked into laser hair removal.

It takes a few minutes longer to get through the airport and buildings with metal detectors. We can go through the new 3D scanners but not the metal detectors.

I don't linger when I go through store security. It's safe but if you stand right in front of it, you might feel wonky. The feeling goes away as soon as you get away from it.

That's all I can think of! Home electronics are fine. Some people are careful with ipods and cell phones, etc, make sure they use them on the opposite side. Pm's are well shielded and the magnetic fields are negligible so most of us don't have to worry about it. I run with my Shuffle clipped right over my pm. I read in bed with my kindle or ipad (complete with magnetic case!) propped on my chest. I hold my phone with my shoulder... I truly never give it a thought. You'll get there too! If you have questions, just ask.

induction cooktops and stuff

by RobertS - 2012-12-19 01:12:02

I've had my PM for 8 days now so all this is new to me too.

It is said that pacemaker people shouldn't stand too close to induction cook tops as if the pots are not centred on the rings there is a risk of electromagnetic interference.[EMI]

I tried to find out about this and found two studies that show opposite results. The Irnich and Berstein Study on 2006 concluded that standing too close, touching the post for a long time and not centering the post increased the risks.

The Rickli study in 2003 found there was no risk of EMI for thise with bi-polar or right sided uni polar pacemakers.

So who knows! They all say 'consult your physician' What is he/she going to do? Look up the studies ;). I won't get one but its hardly a limitation - any more than arc welding or Tracey's laser hair removal.

Everything else is fine really and most of it is common sense. Just don't linger too close for too long by things with BIG magnets. Stuff like handsfree phones, cell phones etc just use the other ear. I forget sometimes and have noticed no effects. Likewise with my Kindle and tablet computer thingy. Bought our grandson a toy metal detector for Christmas and when I was putting the 9v battery in it beeped over my pm. No ill effect but made the wife laugh. Modern pms are pretty well screened.

I too asked about microwaves and told it was not a good idea to lie on if for any length of time while it was on!

Have fun and a worry free Christmas.



what we can/can't do

by wbeaudreault - 2012-12-19 02:12:23

wow! i am so appreciative of your reply and of the one before yours - i am a newby to "the club" and have learned from you both - what a great inspiration you both are -
i especially liked your line about not losing sleep over your inability to "arc weld or get a job at a junkyard that has those big magnets that pick up the dead cars" so funny! one thing, though, what about standing before microwaves? i have read pros and cons about that one - ithanks!

Thanks for the LAUGHS!!!

by wbeaudreault - 2012-12-19 05:12:24

okay, i will not lie TOO long over the microwave while i am burning the turkey!
lol!
merry yuletide to all of us, whatever "religion'' or lack of one our PMS and DFS might beep out to us!

microwaves

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-19 10:12:51

A long long time ago microwaves could interfere with a pm so they put warning signs up. It's been safe for about 25 years now! I don't know why some places still put up the signs but they're safe.

Don't Move to Mexico If...

by wbeaudreault - 2012-12-22 05:12:12

My Mexican cardiologist in Puerto Vallarta (considered to be THE one that x-pats go to) told me when I was about to have my pacemaker implanted in Sarasota, FL that it (being a Boston Scientific one) could be adjusted in Mexico. Wrong! I was told by another cardiologist here who tried to adjust it via phone, that my pacemaker is too modern but that he could put in an older Mexican model. Shock! Has anyone else had a similar situation when attempting to be monitored/adjusted out of the United States? I will now have to fly back to the States to get mine taken care of. Yet another untold medical story that I am trying to tell everyone about. Be careful! Even though I did ask questions of my Mexican cardiologist, she did not have the correct answer.

Weight Lifting and Complications

by wbeaudreault - 2013-04-13 09:04:25

Okay, I had my PM inserted the day before Thanksgiving, last year (2012). Started lifting free weights again about 2 months ago, then noticed that the PM has moved position - to the point of it being more obvious now. I stopped lifting weights, hoping that the PM would somehow go back to the original position. I do not know if I have damaged it or not. I live in Mexico where my particular pacemaker (Boston Scientific) cannot be checked from a distance. I do not know what to do now and really wonder about the advice that some PM weight lifters have given me about how safe it is to lift weights. I was not foolish in my weight lifting - did not do any jerky movements or lift too much weight. So I am giving others who lift weights a bit of a caution here. ANY advice or word of encouragement from you would be grandly received. Thanks! Don

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My pacemaker is the best thing that every happened to me, had I not got it I would not be here today.