Masters swimming

My doctor has informed me that, while it is not imparative that I get a pacemaker immediately, he says that I will need one sooner rather than later. I am thinking of getting it done now so I can train at least a little bit for Summer Nationals in August. My doctor says that I will feel better and train better with a pacemaker. Is he correct? I have a very low heart rate which is why my doctor is recommending a pacemaker.

Does anybody have advice for me? Should I get the inevitable over with or should I delay for as long as possible?

7 Comments

get it done

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-31 01:03:03

Like you, I had a low hr all my life. When I got in my 20's, also like you, my rate started getting lower and I got more tired, more dizzy. I had a dr who didn't want to do a pm on someone young so I was never encouraged to get the pm until it was absolutely necessary. This was before the internet so I couldn't talk to others and do my own research. One day my rate dropped dangerously low and I ended up in emergency surgery. This is not the best way to do it!!!

Do it on your schedule, choose your surgeon, discuss placement options, etc. I came out of it feeling great, and a bit resentful that no one told me the pm wasn't just going to keep me alive, but would give me so much energy. I went downhill so gradually that I was used to compensating and had no idea how bad I really was until I felt better. If I had a daughter with the same condition as mine, I would make sure she was paced at the first symptoms. If it's holding you back from what you want to do, then it's time to do it. Don't let the surgery frighten you. Most of us find it's easier than expected and once we heal, we have very few limitations.

When you are passing out is way too late, unless you happen to have a crystal ball to let you know when it's going to happen for the first time.

placement

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-31 01:03:52

Since you are athletic, discuss placement with your dr. Some put it just below the skin, just below the collar bone. Others put it lower. Some of us have it considerably lower and buried under the muscle. Healing is a little longer but not bad, and most of us with it buried find that it is very comfortable for sports.

Swimming with a Pacemaker

by Selwyn - 2014-03-31 07:03:52

Like yourself, I had a low heart rate swimming and found it used to take me a little while until I could get going in the pool, especially getting short of breath just after 3 lengths.
Now ( as today) I jump in and off I go without any problems. I think swimming is ideal with pacemakers as the movement of the shoulder and body as a whole keeps the rate response ( please make sure they switch it on !) activated. Ensure that the top rate is suitable for your level of activity.

I did explain to the cardiologist that I swam and wanted a full arm stretch ( you don't want the leads being pulled). The top of the pacemaker is 2 fingers width below the collar bone, and that seems fine for freestyle.

So, in short, your doctor is correct. You will be fitter with a pacemaker if you have Sick Sinus Syndrome ( as I suspect from what you have said). Add power to your swimming- get a battery!

get another opinion

by MEP - 2014-03-31 07:03:56

This is fishy. If you have no symptoms and do not have heart block (dissociation between atrial and ventricular firing) then I'm not sure you need a pacemaker at all.

Remember Lance Armstrong reportedly was in the 30's at rest.

What does your echocardiogram show?
Do you have heart disease or not?

Remember, being pace depolarizes the ventricles in a different pattern. Therefore, you may NOT have improved cardiac output.

What is your heart rate as you exercise. (I discovered my complete heart block when, while on an exercise bicycle with a pulse monitor, I could not exceed 90 for a max pulse rate- Bingo.)

Mic Jogger

It would be helpful

by KAG - 2014-03-31 11:03:10

if you gave us a bit more info on your condition. You say you're being considered for a PM due to low heart rate.

What's low?
For how long?
How was this found? Holter monitor?
How do you feel?
Have you ever passed out or come close to passing out?
Any other conditions?

All these can influence advice given.

Thanks

by Termite - 2014-03-31 12:03:46

First of all, thank you for responding to my questions. It is nice to know that there is a support network out there.

I have had a low heart rate for most of my life, but as I get older, my heart rate seems to be slowing even further and it may be affecting my kidneys. I have been aware of a low heart rate because I monitor my heart rate during exercise, and my internist has been aware of it. It has not been a problem until recently when I began to feel dizziness, especially when I sit up or stand up. I also noticed a problem with my workouts, I was having trouble repeating peformances that I easily made last Summer. However, I have never come close to passing out.

I have contacted other competitive swimmers and one replied that he has had a pacemaker for six years without any adverse affects on his swimming (to which I can attest since he is a competitor of mine and continues to post excellent and world class times).

My doctor is excellent (one of the most highly respected and recommended cardiologists in the Washington DC area), so I feel like the implantation process will be fine. It is what happens afterwards that is frightening me.

Thank you all

by Termite - 2014-04-01 05:04:50

I can't believe the wonderful support that was provided on this message board! Thank you all.
Based on your comments, I decided to get further opinions.
Thank goodness I did!
I discussed the matter with my internist (who has been my doctor for over thirty years, so he knows me well). His comment: "you do not need a pacemaker." He then recommended another cardiologist. I just returned from visiting that cardiologist. His conclusion: I do not need a pacemaker. Maybe in the future, but not now.
He thinks my problem is high blood pressure. I will do a stress test next week and he will make a further evaluation based on the results of that test. I have always had high blood pressure, and until recently, my internist has kept it under control. I think I merely need a change in meds.
I have seen three doctors now. Two are adamant that I do not need a pacemaker, and the third is only lukewarm about it. Therefore, the conclusion seems to be pretty well supported: No pacemaker at this time.
And I have all of you to thank for saving me from this unnecessary surgery.
Keep supporting each other.

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