How much can I exercise?

Hi All
Had a three way pacemaker inserted in January and a diseased AV node terminated last week. The pacemaker is set at a constant 80bpm at the moment but this will be regulated down eventually. What effect will this have on my walking?

2 Comments

Steve Austin -

by donr - 2014-02-25 07:02:34

- welcome aboard.

First question: Should have no effect to walking, once you get over the cut in your chest wall & adapt a bit to the PM & ablation. Jan is a long month - even if you had it put in on the 31st, you should be out walking already. MOF. that should have started the next day w/i the limits of your capability. Ditto for the effects of the ablation.

However, it would be nice to know exactly why you had the PM installed & the ablation performed. Any Meds to go along w/ it? How do you feel?

Why did they set you at a constant 80 BPM? & why will they "Eventually" turn that HR down. Are you 100% paced in the ventricles?

You'll hear from many folks who have had those procedures. I just kicked off the discussion because I woke up first, I guess.
Donr

No effect

by golden_snitch - 2014-02-25 09:02:27

Hi!

It shouldn't have any effect on your walking, not with regards to the pace you are walking at or the distance that you walk. And, yes, the basic rate can definitely be regulated down, and you could also have a nighttime setting programmed. Some patients don't feel comfortable with their pulse running at 80 all the time, especially not at rest or when they are trying to sleep. So, if it's too high for you, just tell your cardio.

The good thing is that, if you only had your AV-node ablated, your sinus node should still be working well. In that case, it will continue to dictate the pace, so any rates that you achieve above the lower rate limit, will be sinus node rates (most physiologic rhythm). The ventricular pacer lead will just track what the sinus node is doing, and will make the ventricles beat at the same pace. UNLESS you had the AV-node ablated because of permanent atrial fibrillation. In that case, the pacemaker's rate response sensor will adjust your heart rate to your level of activity.

You should be able to return to all of your activities, and are, of course, free to exercise as much as you like.

Inga

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