lifting restrictions

Hi my mane is Frank -I'm new and have a question on weight lifting restrictions. I received my pacemaker in 2010 after valve replacement surgery. I am 100% blocked. I really hadn't worked out since the mid 90's but since the surgery have tried to be more health. I am now down a little more than 20lbs. through walking, T25 and watching my diet. I am looking to start some weight training but was told by my Dr. to do no more than 30lb's per arm or 100lb's with both arms. My question is what have you been told? How much do you push it?
Being 100% blocked is a little scary because after my surgery before knowing if I needed a pacemaker or not a dr. came in and shut my external pacemaker off and left the room. He didn't get out of the room for a second and I was drenched with sweat feeling ready to die. So ready to workout but not die.
Thoughts Thx Frank

5 Comments

working out

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-25 03:04:03

There are drs that put restrictions on us but most do not. The truth is that there are so few of us and young people have been paced relatively for so few years that they don't really know. There is no research or and there have been no studies. Most drs only have one or two of us, so not knowing what's safe and what isn't, some of them habitually say no.

My official instructions are stop if it hurts, don't do anything stupid. I did light to moderate workouts for years- step, spin, weight machines, assorted classes and sports. When I tried out Crossfit, I figured that was pushing the envelope so I went with the "better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" theory and tried it out before I mentioned it to my doc. I read here of people told not to do anything on the pull up bar, not go heavy, so I avoided those things. After being shocked that I not only was able to do it but was having a blast, my doc got a huge smile and said go for it when I told him about it. I mentioned the things I heard others told not to do, he brushed it off. The pm itself is titanium, we are not going to damage it. The leads are thin and flexible, intended to move with us and held in by scar tissue so well that it would take a laser to get them out. His opinion is nothing I do is going to hurt it. I don't do much of anything under 30#, I'm getting more lifts I can do over 100#, I'm close to my very first unassisted pull up (and just a wee bit obsessive about it, I can get my forehead over the bar, still struggling with that last little bit). It's been 3 years now, so far so good.

Caveat to my cavalier attitude. If your pm is very close to the collarbone or very close to the surface, don't do anything that will pinch the collarbone or sit a barbell right on the pm. That will mess up a lead.

Block is scary, yes, but your heart has probably changed since the day he turned off the external (what a jerk, btw, that's a stupid way to make a point). As you healed after surgery, your heart very likely developed an intrinsic escape rhythm, a rate that the ventricles would beat on their own. Would you feel good without pacing? Probably not. Would you die? Probably not. But your pm is not going to suddenly shut off, and exercising is not going to break it. VERY worst case, say you did manage to damage a lead. They have multiple layers of insulation and it's full of safety features. I did have a lead go bad, from age not from anything I did. They cranked up the juice to get the signal through and we waited to replace it when the battery died. Which didn't take long, think running the AC with the window open. 5 years left turned into 2 years left. I got a new lead with the new battery, then I was good as new.

Out of curiosity, is your dr active? I've found that the active drs are more likely to get it and be supportive of our attempts to stay fit, couch potatoes are more likely to be afraid to let us do much.

Go for it

by gleesue - 2014-04-25 03:04:49

Frank,

After I healed my EP put no restrictions on me. He told me what Tracy mentioned, if it hurts don't do. The only other thing he said was to use less weight and do more reps for awhile. I'm very active. Here's a list of some of the things I do, work out 5-6 days, alternate lifting and cardio, coach two soccer teams, play tennis, golf, snow ski, jet ski, hike, bike, kayak, fish, smoke cigars and drink wine. My point is if you want to do it, you can do it.

Get moving, it will be great for you.

By the way, I hope you found another doctor.

Jerry

lifting restrictions

by fhack - 2014-04-25 05:04:27

Thanks TraceyE and Jerry. That was not my dr. but the hospital cardiologist. Very inspiring. My current pacer dr. is young and pretty fit -he's old school I still take a 325 aspirin a day for the value because he state the "clinical" study. "how long ago was that". My pm is close to the collarbone that is his concern? I think I am just going to take it slow and hope for the best. Thx again Frank

Recovery

by LeeT - 2014-04-25 08:04:35


Do exactly as your Dr. suggests. I do lots of leg work arm work many repetitions. 100lbs max is enough with reps. Walking ,running check yourself. know your body listen to the signals. Ever hear "muscles have memories" I've quit twice and came back amazing. What is meant by "stop if it hurts" where does it hurt. my left arm hurts but it feels like the muscle is the pain in the heart ???

Lee

collarbone

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-26 11:04:25

If your leads are very close to your collarbone, they can be pinched from the weight of a heavy barbell. You can probably feel it if the bar puts enough pressure on the collarbone to press the leads.

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Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.