Working out with a pacemaker?

Hi everyone!

I've had a pacemaker since I was 18 months old (I'm 23 years old now), and it was placed in my abdomen since I was a baby at the time. In December, I had the pacemaker replaced for the first time, and it was put in the normal spot for adults, right under the collarbone.

Before having the pacemaker replaced, I was really active. I ran a lot and participated in Tone It Up (www.toneitup.com). I'm back to running, but I'm really confused on whether or not I should still do Tone It Up. My doctor said I can do almost anything I want, but no pull-ups or anything like that. And my EP nurse said to stay away from push ups and the like, but that I could do yoga.

I guess I'm just wondering what kind of workouts to tone your muscles all of you do with a pacemaker in the chest area? I'm kind of terrified of damaging or pulling a lead, so I don't even know what I should try, but I want to stay in the best shape I can!

And if you read this whole thing, you rock! Haha, I didn't intend on writing a novel...

~ Shannon

7 Comments

Work out

by Duke999 - 2014-02-05 06:02:39

Hi Shannon,
I had my PM for about 11 months now (under collar bone like you). I found that if I do many push ups, it hurts, so I stop that. I don't do bench press. I have 2 dumbbells and do all my possible weights exercise with them. I also jog everyday and do sit ups. That should be enough to keep you in shape. Just use common sense: If it hurts, don't push it and try a different method.

Anyway, keep at it, especially jogging. Don't you just love breathing hard while running? I love it.

I wish you well.

Duke

exercise

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-05 07:02:00

Drs vary in their advice. Mine is pretty liberal, he said if it doesn't hurt, I can do it. Actually, his exact words were "don't do anything stupid" (he's been my doc longer than you've been alive, he knows me well). Unless your pm or wires are close enough to the collarbone that it would be crushed, odds are you are not going to do any damage.

There aren't many of us with pm's who are active who have had them long enough to do any kind of studies. Most drs just have us as a patient, it's not like they have 50 similar patients for comparison so really, they are guessing at our restrictions. Here's why my dr says it's ok. After the first year, the leads are so grown into place in the vein that it would take a specialized laser to get them out. They aren't going anywhere. He also said that the excess lead is coiled behind the device, so even if the device shifts doing a pull up or something, it won't pull on the leads where they are in the vein. Mine is low enough that it doesn't touch the collarbone so I do what I want. I do Crossfit, so I yesterday we ran, jumped rope, rowed. This morning was front squats and push presses with the barbells. I do pull ups, swing kettlebells, push ups with dumbbells, run with sandbags, whatever they come up with! I love that it changes every day and is always challenging. In other words, I do pretty much everything you hear we aren't supposed to do. :) I got my first pm in 1997, so far no complications.

How amazing to get so many years from your first pm!!

Whoo man

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-05 08:02:38

Just looked at the toneitup website. Good thing I had the PM otherwise my heart would have stopped. If you're going to look that good after the workout, I'm all for it!

Anyway, don't see anything they're doing that would cause you any problems. I'd take it easy for the first six weeks. Like they said before, if it hurts, stop. But after that, go all out.

Maybe you could contact them on the website, let them know you have a PM, and that some exercises may be painful. Maybe they can make alternate exercise suggestions? In any case, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Still glad I had the PM. Hope it works out for you!

Theknotguy

be patient and increase gradually

by BillMFl - 2014-02-05 08:02:50

My work out every other day includes the lat machine at 90 lbs and dumbells at 30 lbs. Going up in weight soon as it is becoming too easy. By the way, I have grand kids your age. Start out carefully and increase gradually. For aerobic I use the the stationary bike and speed walking. My knees are more of a problem than the pm. With time at your age you won't have any limitations other than avoiding contact sports.

Working out

by brushmore - 2014-02-05 09:02:17

I am also into Crossfit. The only things I don't do are using a barbell in the front rack position (barbell resting on my collar bone), bench presses with a bar and burpees in a way that has my chest hits the ground. I do pullups but I don't do hit my chest to the bar. Basically I don't do anything that could hit into my pacemaker. These restrictions were put there mostly by my coaches. My doctor didn't really give me any specific restrictions besides general advice about make sure I don't drop any heavy weights on it.

I had the pacemaker put in in November and I got back to Crossfit a month ago. Besides the minor modifications I don't even realize I have the pacemaker in.

Thanks!

by shanb7 - 2014-02-05 09:02:53

Thank you all for your answers! I'm so inspired by you guys, and I'm glad to see I can still do what I want as long as I'm smart about it!

Sorry for the surprise, Theknotguy! Haha! And TraceyE, I definitely was luckier than I ever realized to have my first PM so long :) here's to hoping this one lasts just as long!

Yes it's possible!

by Milllls - 2014-02-06 01:02:23

I've had an ICD implanted under my collarbone since I was 20 years old. I'm currently 26, I work out 5-7 days a week (mostly cardio and some circuit work outs). I run 6 miles every Saturday and participate in 5ks when I can. I can tell you that it is very possible to work out. I played college soccer for 2 years with my ICD device. It can get uncomfortable as times (getting hit in the area with the ball) but I never let it discourage me from working out.

I will say that I do get uncomfortable with lifting weights and doing pull ups. I've done Insanity and T-25 before (more cardio based cross fit work outs), the full 10 week programs and I feel great. The only time I would stop would be when dumbells would be introduced. I would do as many as I can without getting uncomfortable.

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