Swimming after 6 weeks away

Hi everyone, my dual chamber PM was implanted on 12/2, so tomorrow is the 6 week mark. I started walking the day after insertion and have been averaging 5-6 miles of fast walking a day, 6 days a week; yet swimming was my only form of exercise for years before my event, so I am excited to get started again. 

  I was told I could swim after 6 weeks and my doctor knew I was a swimmer before the PM was placed; yet he put it in the sub clavicle vein and I do not know if the leads are extra long which are considerations other posters who swim have mentioned, so I am concerned. 

  I am a little nervous about swimming this soon; yet I feel great so I am going to go for it. Are there any swimmers who can offer any advice. I swam 1 to 2 miles a day 4 to 5 days a week before the PM. I want to get back to that activity level. I have had 1/13 marked on my calendar since the day I left the hospital. 
 

2 Comments

backstrokes

by PV150 - 2020-01-13 14:51:25

I am not a serious swimmer, but I do love the water.  My cardiologist warned me against doing backstrokes while swimming.  There have been instances that the repetitve backstroke motion can pull the lead(s) out of place.

Swimming

by Yorkshire Lass - 2020-02-24 18:53:39

I had my pacemaker fitted in August 2018 aged 51 and a very serious swimmer. I got back in the pool 12 weeks to the day after surgery and found firstly, my arm was distinctly weaker. I swam about 400m and stopped as my left arm had swollen quite significantly.

This continued until an oncology nurse suggested massaging the area after a swim. I have persevered, all the while listening to my body (Fainted twice in the changing rooms much to the lifeguards shock) and will complete a Swimathon of 2.5km at the end of next month.

my advice, small steps and stop if you have ANY issues and rest.

You know you're wired when...

You can proudly say you’re energy efficient.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.