Weight training & pacemaker

weights

by Tracey_E - 2016-10-17 09:27:52

So, his pacer is still in his abdomen which likely means epicardial leads? Weights aren't a contact sport, direct hits are the biggest fear with abdominal placement. Unless his doctor has specifically said no weights, I'd keep my worry to myself and quietly cheer that he is taking care of himself. 

When he gets his next one they will likely move it to his chest. At that time, he can discuss weight lifting with his surgeon. There are ways to place it so that he can lift weights without it getting in the way. 

I have congenital heart block also, on my 5th device. I picked up my first barbell 5 years ago and haven't looked back. So far, so good! My leads are fine and my doctor is supportive. 

Manning up & Exercise

by vdmerwecg - 2016-10-17 09:30:53

Thank you. I have to add that I have never smothered him. He knows that his heart condition might limit some things but it is never an excuse. He has more freedom than most of his friends. Been driven a motorcycle since he was 16.

I am really pleased that he is taking an interest in his health and the fact that he wants to impress girls. This new lifestyle also means that there is no going out with friends and consuming too much alchohol (legal age here is 18).

He is dependant on me for resources: equipment, food etc. I want to continue supporting him. Just wanted to make sure that it's 'safe'.

@TraceyE

by vdmerwecg - 2016-10-17 09:38:52

Thank you. Yes, it's in his abdomen. As in my comment to AngrySparrow, I want him to continue exercising because it has more than just the physical benefit. I would hate to have to interfere with this newfound interest.

Abdominal placement

by Heartvalvefix - 2016-10-17 20:20:41

I received my pacemaker this past April, 2 months after valve surgery when I developed 3rd degree heart block.  After reading and researching I chose to have it implanted in my abdomen vs. my shoulder partially due to the variety of activities I do.  I have no restrictions.  I golf, weight train, swim, do yoga and other fitness classes.  The PM is very secure in my abdomen, does not move, very comfortable and almost invisible.  My surgeon placed it and he did a great job. The only thing I am careful of is that nothing slams into it but really I am not in a situation where that would realistically happen.  I honestly forget about it for the most part.  I cannot see why your Son would not be able to weight train.  I would also suggest that when it is time to replace the PM, if his leads are still working well he should seriously consider whether he really wants to change the location to his shoulder.  He may not find it as comfortable.  I think it is great that he is taking such an interest in his health.

@AngrySparrow

by vdmerwecg - 2016-10-18 03:13:50

Interesting point, although a bit off the topic.

When enrolling for university, my son's cardiovascular condition is regarded as a disability but in terms of government social grants, it will probably not be classified as such. The person supporting someone classified as disabled, can also claim a income tax rebate, and again, my son's disease (as it is currently) will not qualify. The disability grant is a small amount (about 107 USD) and not really an amount many people can live off indepedently.

As far as the chicks leaving the nest, I think it differs from culture to culture in South Africa. Some young adults stay with their parents until they are ready to support themselves. Others move as soon as they finished high school or studies. In more conservative communities, the young adults are expected to stay with their parents until they get married.

With my son, I actually expect him to move out sooner than later :-) As he will be studying from next year on, and will have to do 2 years of post-grad studies, we agreed that he can stay until then. But I told him, if he turns 30 and he's still living with me, I will move. He will come home one afternoon and I will be gone :-D Seriously, though, although I would like it if he becomes financially independent, I must allow him to build a career first.

@ Heartvalvefix

by vdmerwecg - 2016-10-18 03:49:03

I didn't know that it's a choice. I think he might choose to still have it in his abdomen....especially since there is already scars from the two previous surgeries. Thank you for your feedback.

@vdmerwecg

by Heartvalvefix - 2016-10-18 09:50:13

The location is not always presented as a choice but it should be.  Fortunately I had a very supportive surgeon who shared my concerns, both in terms of the cosmetic result and the comfort factor.  I am thin and do not have a lot of upper body tissue.   I am also young.  The other great thing is I really had no arm restrictions when I went home.  Just had to let the wound heal.  Some people have it placed under their pectoral muscle but my research told me that sometimes this is painful.  From everything I read the abdominal location is the most comfortable.  Provided your Sons leads are still working well his surgery would be simple as he would just be changing the device, like last time.  Don't let him be pressured to have it moved.  Ask questions.  Many centers will just default to the shoulder.  If he is getting interested in girls the fact that it will likely be more noticeable in the shoulder may bother him.

@ Heartvalvefix

by Tracey_E - 2016-10-19 16:46:50

Are your leads epicardial or in the vein? I thought they had to be epicardial if the placement is abdominal. There are downsides to that, like significantly reduced battery life, so if that's the case I can see why it's not suggested often. 

@TraceyE

by Heartvalvefix - 2016-10-22 19:30:06

HI Tracey.  I had open heart surgery on the right side of my heart.  A very dangerous place in terms of proximity to the AV node.  In these situations my surgeon implants an epicardial lead on the right ventricule "in case" I should ever need a pacemaker, as he does not want a lead being threaded through the tricuspid.  So the lead was just sitting in the soft tissue after the surgery.  Ironically a few days after the surgery I developed 3rd degree heart block - likely due to the amount of edema and inflammation in the area.  My rhythms bounced in and out but eventually the 3rd degree heart block came back and stayed.  So I had the pacemaker surgery 2 months later. My surgeon participated and tunneled the leads down to my abdomen and buried the pacemaker in the top layer of my muscle.

He told me after my surgery that if the single chamber pacing was not enough for me another lead for the right atrium would go into my vein and he would tunnel it down to the pacemaker for my EP. 

Well the single chamber pacing was not agreeing with me and we were just about to schedule the other lead when 5 months after the open heart surgery my heart started to conduct again and I am now back in a natural sinus  rhythm.☺  The pacemaker is now turned down to 40 just in case I go back into block.  

My understanding though is that endocarial  leads (in veins) are fine with a pacemaker in the abdomen.  In fact it is often moved there if an individual has problems with skin erosion etc on both sides of their chest.  The key as I understand is that it requires a skill set typically possessed by a surgeon not by an EP.  So a surgeon would have to participate if leads are being implanted for a pacer in the abdomen.  Also the pacer I have I gather is a longer life model and was reading 15 yrs when I was pacing 100%.  Everyone assumed that this was what I would likely do for the rest of my life.

I was fortunate to have a surgeon who was very supportive and wanted to ensure that the solution was the best one for me.  Will always be grateful to him.

weights and PM

by Sig27 - 2020-07-28 21:31:58

So, I had/have the same diagnosis as your son, my PM is in my chest, however. I think if his is behind his sternum he does not have the same restrictions as we do with a chest implant. The wires run into the heart from the abdomen/ from below, so lifting with his arms does not endanger them, because they are not near the arms, chest, shoulder and the vein near the collar bone. So, I think he should be ok. I wouldn't think he should pump so heavy, that he has to strain so much he'd blow a blood vessel (generally good advise when lifting), but I'd say he's good. If the next PM goes in his chest, better ask then how that changes. Good luck to him.