swimming

This morning I had a Pacer implanted and am aware of 6 week recovery/limited activity time. However, I have been swimming 2000 yds 2-3 times a week for a while and hope to continue following recovery. I am 69 years young. Any comments suggestions?

6 Comments

Recovery time

by Theknotguy - 2015-08-14 01:08:04

Yes, you should talk to cardiologist about recovery time. However there are some points to keep in the back of your mind. 1) better physical shape. 2) Body healing. 3) Mental attitude.

I moved 2000 pounds of wood the day before my collapse. Had just walked 3.5 miles then collapsed on the trail. Doctors told me if I hadn't been in great shape I wouldn't have survived. That was the good news. The bad news is it has taken me two years to recover from the CPR, cracked ribs, and collapsed lung.

Based upon your description, you're in very good physical shape. That will aid in recovery. Probably make it much faster than others. Good for you.

It will take time for the PM wound to heal. Danger is going back to exercise that will break open the wound, give infection an opportunity to take over, and give you a setback. In your case, I'd work with your doctor to find a safe period of time. In the overall scheme of things, a six week or even a 90 day period of not doing an intense workout is a small price to pay. You can also switch to other kinds of exercise until the wound has completely healed. Walking is good exercise. You can't look at a calendar and say you'll be healed by a specific date. Only your body can answer that question.

Mental attitude is probably the best. Because of my good physical shape, I was in good mental shape. So I was able to bounce back from everything much more quickly. The mental toughness and positive attitude made my healing go a lot faster. Same for you. Since you are accustomed to dealing with the physical pain by pushing yourself, the mental problems of dealing with a PM may not seem as bad for you.

In your case, I'd work with the cardiologist to see when he/she feels you can get back into the water and resume your exercise. Go slowly at first. Then as the wound heals, work up to harder sessions. It took me seven months to get back to "normal" activities but that was with broken and cracked ribs. At the two year mark I'm almost back to 100%. I'm not having problems with the PM, but a lot of problems with cracked ribs. So the PM isn't holding me back.

Hope things progress well for you.

Recovery

by Jane21 - 2015-08-14 04:08:01

On an entirely practical note, I don't think you should be swimming until your wound is totally healed. You wouldn't want to risk infection. It will take a while to heal completely.
But as with all medical advice, ask the team that are looking after you. They will know best.
Cheers Jane

My time frame

by Lurch - 2015-08-14 04:08:57

My Cardiologist release me to swim after four weeks. He was more concerned with ensuring that the implant site had totally closed and sealed before I went in the water.

all good advice

by knb123 - 2015-08-14 07:08:28

Welcome to our club, pschmidt. All of these posters have given you good advice. Many of us were active like you--working out the gym regularly, doing marathons, etc.--when our doctor discovered we needed a PM. It has not deterred us from following our exercise regimen.

However, it is critical to follow the doctor's discharge instructions--I would say, TO THE LETTER. (Some posters may tell you they took a "cafeteria" approach to the instructions, i.e., picked and chose which instructions they would follow. In my opinion, this is folly. I had just received medical care and a device designed to prolong my life; the instructions have been provided to assure the optimal outcome. Why in the world would I ignore them and do my own thing?)

I would bet the grocery money that your doctor will give you the green light to return to swimming once your incision has healed sufficiently to be exposed to water.

Let us know how you do!

swimming with pacemaker and atrial fibrillation

by nicoli - 2015-08-26 01:08:03

I had a two lead pacemaker inserted 3 1/2 yrs ago and have swum regularly since then, average 5 swims a week and a 20 km bicycle ride. Swims are usually 1.5 to 2.5 km in the ocean at Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia and sometimes in a pool squad. Over the last year I have become a bit more breathless with exertion and that appears to be caused by atrial fibrillation increasing from about 65% of the time one year ago to about 95% to 100% of the time now.
I have not had any collapse or unconsciousness due to the AF but sometimes feel a bit dizzy if standing up suddenly; it appears to be caused by lack of hydration and drinking more water and staying well hydrated prevents that happening.
I have been in a couple of small triathlons after a 30 yr break and go at a very comfortable pace with no apparent harm but plenty of enjoyment.
For many years, I have swum in ocean swim events around Sydney, before and after pacemaker inserted.
With AF, my cardiac capacity is lower than it was before AF.
If your cardiologist allows it, a swim seems to be OK.
With AF, for me swimming is the easiest to do, bicycle riding is not too bad at an easy pace (now about 20 km/h, was about 30 km/h before), and running is the hardest to do without slowing to a walk to recover for about 1/2 minute every minute.
my age is 69.

Helpful Comments

by pschmidt - 2015-08-28 10:08:01

Thanks to each of you who responded to my concern about returning to swimming following an implant. My Dr advised no physical activity for 6 weeks and I am honoring that restriction; I am now two weeks into the 6 week recovery. Walking helps and helps keep me doing something. But I do feel my body acclimating to the PaceMaker. The incision is healing well, in the meantime I am trying to figure out how to manage my left arm.
I agree that 6 weeks is a small price to pay for avoiding unnecessary complications, but it will be nice to get back to swimming and rowing and yoga and cycling when it is appropriate.
Is this a great website, or what?
Your comments are very much appreciated.

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