Distance swimming

I'm 30 years old with congenital heart defect. I recently had an ICD and wire replacement as there was a fault.
Before this my doctor was happy with me swimming a mile a week but now advises against it as it may have caused a fracture in the pacing lead due to 'repetitive arm movement'.
There are some with pacemakers who think this is true and others who happily distance swim, and do other upper body activities with no issues.
I love swimming and want to do more upper body exercises; kite boarding, kayaking, weights etc.
What's everyone's experience on this?
Thanks

5 Comments

Arm Movement

by Good Dog - 2015-11-07 11:11:13

You are correct that some people don't have restrictions such as what your doctor suggested. However, everybody has a slightly different anatomy and relative lead location. I am sure there are different activities you can engage in without the risk.

Here is the thing, you can have one or two extra leads without a problem. However, there is a limit on leads you can have before it is necessary to begin extracting them. Extraction is a very risky procedure relative to having an ICD/PM and leads inserted. Unless you want to take the chance of undergoing that procedure, it is my opinion that you should heed the doctors advice.

Sincerely,

Dave

It depends on how important swimming is

by IAN MC - 2015-11-07 12:11:44

If it is a major part of your life ( and it sounds as though it is ) I certainly wouldn't give it up on the basis of :-

- one fractured lead which may or may not have been connected to the swimming

- the suggestion from one Dr who may or may not be right

It is your decision obviously but if a lead fractures again the risk / benefit equation changes and you may then have to swim a lower weekly mileage.

Best of luck

Ian

Kayaking

by Jane S - 2015-11-07 12:11:56

Have had my PM for 9months now, took the first 6 months to get sorted but even in that time I still tried to do my weekly paddle over the summer. Now go on the trips once or twice a month (river/loch/sea) and we are out 3-5 hours. Its not totally continuous but the only problem I have is the scar tissue pulling a bit, other wise ok. My consultant has never said not to do this or that ?maybe he thinks I have enough sense to go by how I feel.
See him again in December will ask the question of paddling again.
Maybe this is an area that more research could be done.
?? varying strokes may help!
Hope you get more advice
Jane x

risks

by Tracey_E - 2015-11-07 12:11:57

How old was the lead?

Ditto Dave's advice, no two of us are alike so really it's just a guessing game. Many of us have no restrictions and have had no problems, however problems like yours are not unheard of and we've had a member or two who had it happen more than once.

Honestly, I don't think one mile a week is that much repetitive movement, but that's just me and I'm certainly no medical professional. Olympic training hours a day, yeah, that's a lot. Swimming and lifting weights to keep fit, occasionally going kayaking? Imo that's not much more strenuous than day to day movements, which the wires are intended for. I'm not advocating doing it or going against advice, just saying that, smart decision or not, I probably would do what I want if facing the same situation.

Broken lead

by Rolfr11 - 2015-11-08 05:11:58

See my comments in Masters Swim post above.

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

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