pacemaker and swimming

i have been wearing a pacemaker for 5 weeks now .i used to swim every other day and was advised to skip it for 6 weeks . I took on walking but i am itching to go back to the water . when should i go back.Any suggestion from swimmers.thank you.

10 Comments

I swam after 4 weeks

by WillieG - 2015-02-26 01:02:29

Although they told me to wait 6 weeks, I did breast stroke gently after 4 weeks with no problems. Have fun!

Four weeks too

by Bean19 - 2015-02-26 05:02:26

I went back into the water at four weeks with the restriction of 90% breast for the first week, increasing crawl by five percent each week. It's been fine. Just remember to listen to your body!

Swimming and pacemaker

by Darine - 2015-02-26 11:02:16

Thank you everybody for your input .do you know if I can use a spa pool and a sauna ?.I am still not daring .what do you suggest?

pacemaker and swimming

by Darine - 2015-02-26 12:02:32

Thank You.I am going back to the water today . I am going to limit my stokes to breast for now just to be on the safe side

What my doctor told me....

by Lurch - 2015-02-26 12:02:57

I was told that the restriction on swimming was to allow the incision to heal, thus preventing water from entering the wound. My surgeon cleared me after four weeks. Six weeks after implantation of my ICD I was bodysurfing with my Grandson!!!

Some doctors are apparently are more concerned with the wire being pulled loose. Mine did not want me to wear a sling except for sleeping the first week to 10 days. He was convinced that the wire was placed well....

Pacemaker and swimming

by sharbrem - 2015-02-27 01:02:44

Here in Germany the docs are much more conservative, very focused on making sure the leads are successfully settled into their positions in the heart before strenuous exercise begins again. Why challenge your doc? If she/he says 6 weeks, then just wait 6 weeks. Control your itch. It is of course your choice, but why not give yourself the best chance of success with your pacemaker? Here they ask you to wait THREE MONTHS before swimming. Take a deep breath and relax.

swim and pacemaker

by Darine - 2015-02-27 07:02:52

Thank you Sharbrem for your wisdom. actually it has been six weeks today and i just did very light breast strokes for 20mn after walking on the treadmill for one hour . I am not a competitive swimmer anyway .the water is very stress relieving only.

back stroke

by aldeer - 2015-02-28 10:02:18

I went back after five weeks and while doing back stroke, I felt my pacemaker drop and it dropped again the second time. I would wait the full 6 weeks to be safe. Tho I must say it is in a more comfortable position after moving... not being up against a nerve as it was before causing off & on pain. So after my replacement in Dec., the doctor put the new one in the space it had dropped into and it is just great! Good luck and keep swimming!!1 aldeer

What did the Doc Say?

by 2john - 2015-03-27 09:03:09

Listen to your doctor. What did he or she say? My cardiologist said 6 months so I took a 6 months leave from the pool. I was a daily swimmer for almost 30 years. I'd swim a mile at least each day. However after 6 months vacation, I fell out of shape. Oh well. Now I mountain and road cycle.

Cheers,
Oh Well

Caution

by Alastair - 2015-04-16 09:04:26

I went back to swimming after 6 weeks. Probably 4-5 hrs a week, 12-15km a week, freestyle. Atrial lead and vent lead need repositioning! Felt fine but could have been hasty. Accept that's it different to doing breaststroke twice a week!

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