Pacemaker, Prior Clot and Martial Arts

Hi

Does anyone have any experience of learning martial arts after having a pacemaker implanted? I also have a history of blood clots and pacemaker wire was replaced in the first 6 months due to wire displacement. I'm not on warfarin but I do have clot remnants. I want to learn Krav Maga but I don't know whether or not this is safe - I've asked the instructor and they've said anyone can do it irrespective of fitness etc - but it is always more helpful to hear from people who actually have walked in your own shoes! I have the pacemaker for Bradycardia but have a history of arrhythmias.
Would love to hear from as many of you with any experience/knowledge as possible. I know I should ask my doctor but I all I imagine all I will get is either 'no' irrespective or 'all things risk based so it is your own decision' - I don't exactly trust doctors.
Thank you

C

7 Comments

Contact sports out - on to next

by Theknotguy - 2013-11-25 11:11:15

Yeah, the contact sports are out. Talked with my doctor. I have to wait 90 days for the body to grow around the pacemaker and leads. So as Creaky said, you don't want to replace leads.

However my Cardiologist said he's got people with PMs swimming so they've got pretty good arm movement. Have also heard of some PM people doing marathons - that's a pretty serious training and exercise.

Looks like there's a lot of stuff to do out there. You just gotta find out what works.

Hang in there. It gets better.

Theknotguy

Martial Arts

by Creaky - 2013-11-25 11:11:48

No! In my opinion.
As far as any level of fitness is concerned, sure anyone can practice the arts. But a pacemaker changes things. It's not just the fitness level. The contact aspect makes it way too risky. Having practiced several arts over many years, I appreciate the amount of stress on leads that throws and breakfalls can create. Leads can be dislodged or broken.
I have had my PM for 3 years and am on my third set of leads because they have broken. You cannot keep replacing leads every year or two. It can become life threatening.
So, my friend, don't risk it. Find a safer way to stay fit.

Creaky

No to contact sports

by BillMFl - 2013-11-26 07:11:23

In the past I was pretty good at karate, judo and ju jitso. That was way before getting a PM. Throws, takedowns, kicks and punches could all do serious damage. One sharp blow could do it. Switch to a non contact sport.

damn!

by FighterGirlxx - 2013-11-26 09:11:09

Thank you so much for replying-I am not surprised by the answer but had hoped for something different! I can't do running or overly intensive exercise because of the risk it has but I did want to learn self defence so that I can feel a bit safer at night etc. Back to the drawing board! Cheers guys

Recovery

by LeeT - 2013-11-30 04:11:03


No the contact is far to powerful for the contacts. Don't think you can't stress them you can't ok. Many pacers run races, swim, lift light weights. It's best to think in terms of being physically fit and doing what is necessary to keep your heart strong. Violent sports like, football, boxing, martial arts and heavy weight lifting are very risky. Find a different sport you can do that and finally LISTEN to your Dr. and do what they ask you to do, Good Luck,

Filipino Stick Fighting

by kermiehiho - 2013-12-01 04:12:37

Sad to read this. I had not been doing martial arts, but as a 5' female decided to take a self defense class. I learned to throw/flip people (among other things), and had been interested in taking up taekwondo for a while. There goes that, I guess. Maybe I'll try Filipino stick fighting instead, so I can use my umbrella (similar in shape and size to a stick?) to defend myself. As it is, I play volleyball and use a towel to pad the pm site, so I don't see why I can't do the same if I were to learn stick fighting. Anyone familiar with this martial art?

Pick the right martial art

by Chris100 - 2013-12-08 01:12:06

Hi I am now promoting to 4th degree black belt, been a grand champion 6 times and run my own school. Just had a pace maker fitted and working through with my doctor what I can and cannot do. Full contact and break falls are out but not all martial arts are aggressive and contact based so picking the right martial art is important. Also in my school we adjust the training to fit individual needs with students in wheelchairs, blind or suffer from other ailments. So also the importance of talking with a very good instructor about how it can be adapted is also very important

I love martial arts for the friendship, support, values, etiquette, confidence, fitness traing but also the mind and spiritual side. You do need to very careful on both selection and training and always talk it through with your doctor but definitely do not do the harder styles.

Did know know there are 32 major different styles from the soft styles upto the hard styles. It is all about just being sensible.

You know you're wired when...

You can hear your heartbeat in your cell phone.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.