swimming

I had pacemaker installed 3/3/17. I also broke my right wrist (had to get pacemaker before wrist surgery could be done because of low heart rate with anesthesia).  I used to swim a lot (my entire life, I'm 53), now I'm worried I won't be able to do anything in the pool between wrist and pacemaker!  I'm not fast, never have been, but I love the water.  I used to do a lot of freestyle and backstroke, and if I have to reduce pool time, that's fine, but I'm afraid it will be reduced to zero!  I hope to get in the pool in a couple weeks just to kick (I'm starting with that, plus my wrist is still really stiff).  Any swimmers out there?  Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.  It has been a tough year so far, I could use some good news, thank you!

6 Comments

Exercise

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-04-11 19:04:49

After recuperation and being released from doctor I was ok'd for any activity.  Be sure PM insertion site has completely healed.

Swimming

by Sarbear - 2017-04-11 19:15:35

I've been a swimmer my whole life too.  I had a pm put in last yr at 25 and was cleared to swim about 3 months later.  I was cautious at first, and started with breaststroke, but have since added everything else back in. I've done one triathlon since then and am planning on 5 more this season! Good luck with your recovery!

Swimming

by iany - 2017-04-11 22:03:14

Hi Erika

 

Reer to the recent post of 4/4/17 (Swimming Specific Device Choice) and the 14 comments that followed for info and suggestions on swimming. I'm sure you'll see that after your recovery period (only 4-6 weeks in my case) you'll be back doing everything and possibly more than you were doing before!

infection

by dwelch - 2017-04-13 01:34:34

The problem is waiting for your pacer incision to heal.  Infection is the big concern they dont want your body to realize there is a foreign device inside and start to reject it so now or in 5 years if you get a cut or something and it starts to get infected, get it dealt with.

 

Once the incision is healed and the pacer has started to settle into your body such that moving your arms above your shoulders wont unplug a wire or move it around (on my first one i somehow got the wire over the top and it stayed there for 7 years, made for some extra bumps around the device that were a little bit of a concern, 30 years ago the pacers were much larger, now there is hardly a bump if any)

 

after those so many weeks or months you can start working back up to normal and I cant think why they would prevent swimming or other activities (that dont involve impact to your implant area) long term.

Swimming

by Heath - 2017-06-21 23:19:43

yaa can't wait to get back in the water I'm 55 and like to swim a k at least 3 to 4 times a week - 1 week post PM - just plan to take the time and let everything heal and then get back my fitness 

Swimming

by randall - 2018-07-11 18:39:30

I was implanted 11 years ago. Did not swim in high school or college. I started masters swimming 10 years ago.I am slow due to beta blockers (added 25 seconds to my time).

I swam all the strokes until age 72 - now 77.  I can't do the fly any more. I have competed in 4 swim meets so far this year. I plan on swimming in 2 more this year. I have been fortunate enough to swim in a relay with a former Olympianon our team! In our last competition, our team was first out of 43 teams. We won by 365 points!

Don't ever quit!!

I plan to swim until I transition to the big swimming pool in the sky!

 

Randall

 

 

 

 

 

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My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.