kayaking, weight training chain sawing and kendo

I will probably get a St. Jude two chamber in a couple of weeks because of a 2nd degree heart block that occasionally causes syncopy.
I was concerned about compatibility of my pacemaker and my normal routines of kayaking and weight training. You folks have been very informative and reassuring. Holding off for 2-3 months and then a gradual pickup is fine.
Some web info suggests that the electric field from a chainsaw could interfere. Does anyone have any experience?
Are there any of you that do Kendo? It seems like the armor will protect the chest but I am concerned about the striking motions.
I am hoping to take up the martial art after recovery.
Bests regards.

5 Comments

yes, yes, yes and I have no idea

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-12 04:09:54

Kayaking is fine! I do it every chance I get

Weight training, I do it 5 days a week. Some drs will give limitations but most do not. Make sure they know in advance that you are very active. Ask them to place it a little lower and deeper than usual. You don't want the bar to sit on your wires when you clean it.

Chain saws are fine. Arc welding is not ok. Industrial magnets are not ok. Just about anything else you can name is perfectly safe. Pm's are very well shielded.

Martial arts, the motions are fine. You don't want to take a direct hit to them device when sparring. You will not damage the pm- it's a hunk of titanium- your skin is not so tough.

chain saw

by smokinjack - 2013-09-12 05:09:54

I would talk to your doc about the chainsaw.My going home instructions included 'NO Chain Saw" The motor is too close to your PM when using.

Kendo for beginners

by donr - 2013-09-13 01:09:32

Tracey: Kendo is a Japanese martial art form where the opponents wear heavily padded suits, including a helmet w/ full face protection. Padding is heaviest around the shoulders & chest area.

Each combatant is armed w/ a stick about 6 feet long & about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. The stick is NOT padded.

I'm not exactly sure how they score the matches, but the objective is to beat the pure living crap out of the other guy. Using the stick, of course.

IMNSHO, I don't think any cardio in his/her right mind would tell him "OK" for Kendo. This one is a "Proceed at your own risk" sort of thing.

Don

Chain Saws

by cwhitlock - 2013-09-13 11:09:34

I don't know about chain saws, but I can't ride a Honda motorcycle. It makes me real short of breath...so do drills, circular saws, etc. Like previous comments, definitely ask your Dr. A friend of mine, who has a defibrillator/pacemaker, was told she can get in a tanning bed. I have a double lead Biotronik pm and was told I CAN NOT use a tanning bed. I guess it depends on what you have/manufacturer...I don't know. :)

Chain Saws

by donr - 2013-09-13 12:09:48

Just fine - IF they don't trigger problems w/ a Rate response mechanism through the vibration. I use a chain saw - but only when I need to.

The device to look out for is the Reciprocating Saw (Sawzall).

They have the vibrations like you would not believe.

Back to chain saws: The "Problem" w/ the motor (Actually an engine) is that it has a magneto ignition system. The spark generated by that type ignition is pretty intense, & the fear is that it will radiate energy & interfere w/ your PM. It's not that strong a radiator - besides, it must not exceed a certain level to comply w/ FCC regulations for interfering w/ radios & other electronics. Unless you plan to hug the engine to your chest right over your PM, I doubt that the radiation is anywhere near strong enough to get to your PM.

We used to have a member - ElectricFrank - who told me once that he gave up chain saws because he ran out of chains to saw - he stuck to trees after that.

Don

Don

You know you're wired when...

You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.