Exercising after changing permanent pacemaker box

Hi,

On the 02nd of December 2015 I had my PPM box changed. The first box lasted me approximately 7 years.

I have since fully recovered with no discomfort / pain or any other symptoms which may be of concern.

Can I now go back to my usual exercise routine of lifting weights? I have been lifting weights from a very young age and stopped for about 6 weeks when I initially had the PPM installed in 2009. Since then I have been lifting weights on a very regular basis.

Alternatively, does it make more sense to start off on a lighter regime ie using light weights first for a few sessions now before going back to the heavier weights immediately?

Thanks

3 Comments

90 year old guy

by Theknotguy - 2015-12-12 02:12:06

The 90 year old guy who sits next to me in church had his PM replaced and he went grocery shopping on the way home. "Shouldn't have done that.", he said. Ended up hurting a little too much the next day.

The implant isn't as difficult because the PM pocket is there already along with the leads. So recovery is faster.

The only question in my mind is to wait until the insertion wound has healed. Last thing you want to do is to break the wound open, get an infection, then end up with a big mess on your hands.

Likewise with starting off exercise. Go easy until all the scar tissue is stretched out. While everything should be OK, the secondary wound can have more of a zipper effect because of the previous cutting.

After everything has healed and the scar tissue has been stretched out you should be back to full weights.

Hope the healing goes quickly.

returning to exercise

by Tracey_E - 2015-12-12 04:12:01

All limitations the first time were from the leads, not the box itself, and it's all scar tissue this time. You can do whatever you like as soon as you feel up to it. I went to the Keys two days after my 2nd replacement, stayed out of the water but did everything else planned. I went hiking at high altitude less than a week after my next replacement, no issues.

Start light

by PeteFindlay - 2015-12-13 12:12:44

Start light and work the full range of movement to stretch and exercise the scar tissue. If that's ok, next time add a bit more weight. You'll be back up to where you were in no time!

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