Skiing for the first time with my ICD

I am a recent recipient of a PM/ICD. It has been about 3 months since my surgery and I was planning to go skiing in the next few weeks but am concerned about the altitude and effort that goes into the sport. I am 19 and have been going to the gym to rebuild my stamina regularly, but was hoping to get some tips/advice as to what I can do to prepare myself for skiing. This is all new to me, and being so young I wanna be prepared, thanks!

7 Comments

have fun!

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-06 10:02:50

The icd isn't affected by the altitude but sometimes the underlying reason why we have it makes us more sensitive. I take it easy the first day, stay hydrated, then go for it the second day. How high will you be? I barely notice anything under 7000ft, I struggle when I get over 10,000, dizzy and very sob.

To build up your quads, put your back to the wall then lower to a sitting position, like you were in a chair. Hold as long as you can. Squats are good before skiing, also.

Reply to Don and Tracey

by carlynndv - 2014-02-06 11:02:07

I believe the highest altitude I will reach is 1800ft. It's a rather small mountain.

I suffer from LQT which caused my arrythmia and I wetn into cardiac arrest, so thats why I was concerend about he cold air affecting my breathing thus affecting my heart rate. My pacemaker is set pretty high at 220 and the low of 40. The last thing I want to do is get shocked going down the mountain and freak out my friends.

I will definitely do squats before I ski; they're part of my gym regimine anyways.

I really appreciate the advice and I will definitely be conscientious of everything up on the mountain.

Safety & Common Sense

by donr - 2014-02-06 11:02:08

Where on earth do you find an 1800 ft mtn w/ sufficient snow for skiing?

W/your situation, I'd definitely have a companion along a lot of the time - one who knows your precise condition. You don't want them having to grope to figure out what is wrong w/ you. Just how many ski resorts/mountains have cardios right there that can take care of such an unusual condition. Broken legs, yes - LQT, no.

Doesn't matter what the PM is set at for an upper limit. It CANNOT slow down your hart. It could be set at 100 for all it matters - w/ your condition, it could, under the wrong conditions go beyond the range of the PM function & trigger the ICD function. Just make sure your friends know what your condition is. If that ICD gives you a kick that knocks you out, it would be nice if someone could save the Ski Patrol from working in ignorance. Face it - they will not be groping around in your pockets looking for a PM card - especially when you will be bundled up in layers of difficult clothing to open up. Their main concern will be to get you to the correct medical help.

Don

Skiing 3 mos Post-op

by donr - 2014-02-06 11:02:42

You are pretty safe as far as the sport is concerned & doing any damage to either your PM/ICD or leads.. Everything is well healed & secure.

Just don't ski into a tree or a steel column somewhere - that can be pretty dangerous to your health & physical well being.

You did not say where you were going skiing, but you mentioned altitude.

Your device will not care one whit about altitude. Pressure does not bother them.

My only suggestion is for you to determine how your body reacts to the COLD & decreased Oxygen at altitude. It may well be affected & you don't want to find out the hard way on a slope doing something strenuous the first outing up the hill.

Be smart & do a run down a bunny slope first just to find out if YOU are going to be affected. Oh, & have someone w/ you on the first run - it's called prudence.

If you are lucky, Tracey will be along & she is an avid skier & may have a different perspective on your situation as to safety precautions you should take.

Don

shocking

by Tracey_E - 2014-02-06 12:02:20

If you don't regularly get your rate too high working out, you'll be fine skiing. I find my rate doesn't go up as much skiing, it's more like a long but very light workout.

You won't even notice 1800 ft! The cold, maybe. Just bundle, like everyone else. If your doc is worried about you breathing the cold air, maybe wear a gator.

Don, ski first aid is actually pretty decent! I was extra dizzy once so stopped in to ask them to make sure my oxygen sat was good. The place we ski is high enough that they run into as much altitude sickness as ski injuries.



Reply

by carlynndv - 2014-02-06 12:02:30

Connecticut, like I said small mountain haha. Normally I ski at Okemo in VT but I decided that until i feel comfortable back on my ski's I'll start small.

Yea my friend is very educated on my condition, which is good and knows what needs to be done if my IDC goes off. However im not really sure what to expect myself. I have been pretty good about checking my pulse when I feel it's getting too fast if im working out at the gym. I have a medical bracelet but like you said ill have a jacket on and what not so if something were to happen patrol wont look for that. Hopefully all will go smoothly and I will enjoy my time. thanks again for the advice, very much appreciated.

Colorado Skiing

by Beckes76 - 2014-02-07 11:02:01

A few years after my 1st PM I learned how to ski and 2 years after that we went skiing in CO for a whole entire week. I was just a beginning skier and I was fine the whole entire week. Since then I moved to CO and skied in many different places. You will be fine just as long as you know your limits.

Becky

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