marathon or half with CRT

I know a number of PM Club folks have run marathons or half marathon or triathlons but my question is have any done so with a CRT.
Having run a number of marathons I now have a Bi V because of a exercise induced AV block and a left bundle branch block.The LBBB is recent and clearly decreased by exercise capacity.Since the PM implantation by exercise capacity is almost back to the pre LBBB levels. I have decided to retire from marathoning but a half looks very doable.

4 Comments

running

by Tracey_E - 2016-01-14 05:01:56

You got the CRT over a two lead because of the BBB, not low heart function, correct? That means your heart structure is good, your heart muscle is not compromised, you just have electrical issues which are fixed with the pacer. If your EF is good, if you feel good when you train, if your doc has cleared you for activity, don't rule out the marathons. Simply having it isn't a reason to categorically rule out something you love. JMHO I was going to say start with a 5K but if you have trained for a marathon, that's probably just your warm up! Try a 10K to get your toes wet again then go for the half. Then think about a full, if that's what you want to do.

No problem

by golden_snitch - 2016-01-15 06:01:03

Why not, if your exercise capacity is almost back to normal?

The CRT shouldn't be a problem, if you have it for heart block and LBBB. Most of us who have problems exercising, have a sinus node issue and so a sensor in the pacemaker needs to determine what heart rate we need when exercising. That can be problematic, because a sensor is never as good as a functioning sinus node. But with a heart block and LBBB, you still have a healthy sinus node, so tthe sinus node will just dictate the rhythm/rate - just like it always did. You still have your natural rhythm.

There are marathon runners with heart block and pacemaker, but I have not yet found anyone running a marathon or a half marathon who has sinus node issues and needs the pacemaker's rate response sensor. So, after all, in this regard you are bit lucky that you "only" have the blocks.

Good luck!

Sinus node is the determining factor

by IAN MC - 2016-01-15 09:01:15

As an ex-marathon runner myself I agree with Inga's last paragraph.

If you don't need Rate Response I can see no reason why you shouldn't be able to run marathons as well as before.

Regrettably there appears to be no RR sensor, or combination of sensors which will make your heart respond to exercise in a physiological way. RR is certainly better than nothing but it ain't like the real thing ( the real thing being a normally functioning sinus node ) . Distance running needs stamina, stamina needs a sinus node which raises your heartbeat to an optimum level for the demands you are putting on it mile after mile after mile.

I think, fox30, with your heart condition you should be fine.

Best of luck

Ian

marathons

by Tracey_E - 2016-01-16 02:01:35

This is a marathon for people with devices
http://www.medtronic.com/globalheroes/

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