Endurance exercise /research articles

Cardiac Athletes

by BillH - 2017-01-15 20:40:52

There is a group over on Facebook, Cardiac Athletes. There are people with all kind of cardiac issues who keep exercising. Including many with PM. And it includes one that does 100 mile runs.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cardiacathletes/?ref=bookmarks

Cardiac athletes

by Dory - 2017-01-15 21:26:51

Thanks BillH, very much appreciated, I have been onto the site and send a member request.

long term risks

by Tracey_E - 2017-01-16 12:18:20

I had the same doctor for the last 20 years, recently switched to a congenital clinic because they see a lot more young patients who are paced long term. Both of them highly encourage being as active as possible. I specifically asked if I was pushing too hard by doing Crossfit with the occasional adventure race/ski trip/hiking/kayaking/ziplining. Both said not at all, go for it. I've never seen a study because there just aren't that many people very active and paced long term. I had a very long chat with the head of the congenital clinic (they see/track 1300+ patients) the first time I met him and asked about long term risks of pacing as well as long term risks of exercise. He said the exercise can only do good, absolutely no detriments. I was concerned about the long term effects of pacing eventually affecting my ability to be active, he said he very rarely sees anything crop up after 5 years of pacing so if we've been paced that long and function is still strong, it is likely to remain good. He said when the day comes to quit crossfit it'll more likely be because of my joints, not my heart lol. 

The best thing we can do for ourselves is stay fit. Our electrical systems are compromised, best to keep the arteries and muscles strong. 

Thanks Tracey

by Dory - 2017-01-24 09:39:01

Thanks Tracey for your reply and apologies for not responding sooner. I know I am still so new to having a pm and gaining confidence each day so hearing how long you have had a pacemaker for and the life you lead is very inspiring for me. I think I worry a great deal about the daily constant movement from swimming and running and cycling and the fear of somehow dislodging a lead or damaging the pacemaker. I get aches or a dull transient pain that I know is not cardiac in origin but it almost feels like the leads are tight. Does that make sense?  I swam just under 4 km the other day and the pacemaker site and where the leads go beneath my clavicle ached for days. I suppose I feel vulnerable and would have expected further follow up from the cardiologist not just a 6 week post check up then told he will see me again in 12 months. Maybe I just worry to much! 

time

by fourkids - 2017-03-05 15:21:58

It took me about a year to stop worrying about my pacemaker.  I will be 2 years in May.  It is still a foreign body that sometimes gets more irritated than my other side, but just like a small bruise, scrape or irritation anywhere, it goes away in a day or two.

I run, swim, play tennis and play ice hockey.