Workout

I got my pacemaker in June 2014. I am back to the gym but my Dr. doesn't think I should be doing push-ups or lifting weights over head with my left arm. To me this means I really can't do any shoulder or chest exercises! She feels the leads are man made and the pushing and pulling can wear them out. Has anyone else heard this?

6 Comments

Reluctance

by ma_ku - 2014-09-02 02:09:36

Hi,

Although I run regulary, I am reluctant to resume all the exercises that I used to. Particularly, I avoid exercises that have high reps involving my arms. I am not sure if this is rational or not. For strength training I do stuff like planks where you hold a stationary pose for a spell. I miss chin ups and press ups though. I am probably being over cautious but I have seen enough frayed cable on things like irons and what not that I am paranoid about fraying the PM wires. At 42, I want to delay an inevitable rewire for as long as possible..

Mark

the problem its the clavicle

by jfrez - 2014-09-02 03:09:27

http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/images/uploaded/bones3.jpg

The clavicle movement can damage the wires...

jfrez

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-02 04:09:31

Yes, that's true, but only if your leads are right under the clavicle. Most are not, so imo it's not a risk for most people. My leads are 3-4" lower, nowhere close to the collarbone. Even if the leads are very close, simple arm movements should not be a problem. Heavy weights and excessive repetitive motion, yes, but a light to moderate workout should be ok for anyone regardless of placement. Always listen to your doc and don't do anything you're not comfortable with, but leads were designed to move with us.

Dead weights and lead stress

by jpotts - 2014-09-02 06:09:11

I for one am going to stay away from heavy weight lifting. I have read a lot and researched leads. Reps and doctors want to sell the stuff. Of course you can do whatever you want.

Try putting a couple hundred pounds of tension on anything and the insulator will wear. A small stress crack 1/1000 of an inch which allows conductive blood in will eat up your battery as your rate capture setting increase shock to maintain the same level.

If you love and trust your doctor. I would do whatever I wanted. My max out of pocket is 6K I can afford this every 4-5 years.

Depends

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-02 09:09:10

It really depends who you ask! Yes, there are some drs who say we should limit activity and there are a few people who have had problems with their leads after being active. However, they are very much the minority and most drs say no or very few limits and many of us here are active and do not have a problem. My dr only has me but my rep has been doing this for 30 years and covers a large territory with a lot of young, active patients. He said the leads are thin and flexible, intended to move with us. I got my first one in 1994, have never held back, have never had a problem. I do Crossfit so I regularly lift and do push ups. This morning we were doing handstand push ups, deadlifts and pull ups.

Exception, if your leads are very close to the surface or very close to your collarbone, then you need to be careful not to pinch/crush them.

Tone versus building muscle

by TJ319 - 2014-09-04 08:09:59

I had my PM implanted in November of 2013. Age 65, very fit, love to run, bike, swim and lift. My doc cautioned me expect the return to fitness to be a slow process. In particular, he advised me to think of weight training in terms of toning rather than building muscle. He did caution me about raising my arms over my head during the first 6-8 weeks, but after that, no restrictions. Things have worked out pretty well.

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