Swimming/Triathlons

second opinion

by Tracey_E - 2016-07-21 10:07:45

Did your doctor know about your lifestyle before the surgery? The usual placement is just under the skin, just under the collarbone but they can put it lower and deeper so it's out of the way. Even with the usual placement, unless there is something odd about your placement or your build where the leads would rub against the collarbone when swimming, then that advice is excessively cautious. I would suggest a second opinion. If your doctor is not active, keep that in mind when choosing a doctor for a second opinion. Doctors who are active tend to be more focused on finding a way to allow us live full, active lives than someone sedentary and out of shape who sees sedentary patients all day. We have wonky electrical systems, staying fit is the best offense for us against developing other problems later in life. You'd thnk that would be common sense!  

There are some people who have reason not to be active because their leads are positioned such that they could be damaged from repetition. If this is the case with you, you might want to have it relocated lower/deeper so you can do what you want. There are no studies because there just aren't that many of us young and active enough who have been paced long enough to make a study. Some doctors are automatically overly cautious simply because they are used to patients who they'd be thrilled if they'd just walk around the block every day, so they don't know what to do with someone active. 

There are a very few people who have had lead damage from activity, two members here that I can think of. The vast majority of us have few to no restrictions and have had no problems. I've been paced since 1994, always been encouraged to do what I want to do, no repercussions. I don't swim, but I kayak every chance I get and do Crossfit 5 mornings a week which includes pull ups, push ups, overhead weights, triple digit barbells - all sorts of things that would make your cardio cringe :) Members here include competition rowers, runners, triathletes, and any other sport you can think of. Being paced doesn't have to slow us down.

re second opinion

by Dory - 2016-07-21 10:38:00

Thanks Tracey, what you have said has been a great help. The cardiologist who I initially saw was on holidays and as it was some what of an urgency to have it done another cardiologist put the pacemaker in. I was very clear to both of them about my lifestyle and it was the one who performed the surgery who said no swimming and no upper body arm weights.( he also admitted to not being physically fit or active) The other cardiologist promised that I could return to what I was doing after the recovery period. I am seeing him for my post op check up in 5 days and will ask him about the placement of the PM and leads and swimming again. Its great to hear you do what you do with no issues and for also for so long-thanks once again, I have a spring in my step again!

timing

by Tracey_E - 2016-07-21 11:22:14

Sounds like your first doctor is the one to talk to. Maybe the other one just meant no arm movements until you heal?  You may find that your endurance is better now that your heart is beating the way it should.  Good luck!!!!

Hey

by Alastair - 2016-07-29 20:04:00

I have an icd for VT. I was a keen open water swimmer and like you trained 5x a week at about 15-17k a week. While I haven't gone back to racing I do still swim 4/5 x a week albeit more conservatively. My first icd developed a loose atrial lead but whether that was swimming or the job was never done right it's hard to say. Again some consultants gave said limit swimming, some said go ahead. I think it's ok. I have the standard vein insertion. Alastair

my icd, v1 and v2, has been in for 1.5 years

Long distance swimming

by Dory - 2016-07-30 06:01:12

Hi Alastair, thanks for your comments they were really intesting regarding  open water long distance swimming.  I think your point is a good one-that you have returned to swim long distances however a little more conservatively. 

However I do wish I had known about the difference between the different viens for less movement and reducing the risk of complications before I had this done. I gather the cardiologists don't re position these leads once in place for these reasons.I'll have the discusson with him at my next visit though.