Can I do Triathlon with a CRT-P

Why ever not ?

by Gemita - 2022-01-29 11:24:59

Nick, you sound in good form, almost as though you don't need a pacemaker at this current time (without any symptoms whatsoever apart from a low resting pulse).  Furthermore, according to your post, a pacemaker will be implanted on Monday, 31st December 2022.  Am I missing something?  If they were concerned, they would certainly implant before that date.  

Sounds to me as though it might be helpful to go back to your doctors and confirm what your diagnosis is and whether you really need a pacemaker at this time.

If your Sinus Node is becoming lazy, this would be an easy fix with a pacemaker and at your age and with ?no other health problems? I don't see why you won't be able to do most of the activities you are doing at the moment.  Good luck

Perhaps this coming Monday?

by crustyg - 2022-01-29 12:19:02

31st January 2022 is a Monday.

I don't think it's correct that every organ has an expiry date, any more than there is a predefined number of heart beats that we all get.  Phooey.

Our bodies are subject to a range of insults (viruses, UV-light, oxygen - very damaging, chemicals which damage us etc.) and how well anyone's body handles that depends on a) genetics, b) amount and type of insult, c) combination of insults, d) luck.

You can make the most of the body that you're given by looking after it and treating it well - avoiding nasty chemicals, taking plenty of good food that contains anti-oxidants (you should see the nearly unstoppable damage to cell membranes from free-radicals - created by our use of oxygen and so dangerous that some of our white blood cells actually use them to kill bacteria), keeping out of the sun or using UV-block, exercising and not worrying too much about the future, because it's unhelpful and worrying never fixed anything.  Actually doing something productive / preventative and then relaxing is far more useful.

You need to make sure that your EP-doc understands just how important exercise, swimming etc. is to you, and implants the best PM for you, *and* then commits to making sure that your PM is optimally tuned for you.  This probably won't be until about 4-6weeks after implantation.

You may find that swimming becomes more difficult as most PMs don't provide much Rate Response for swimming, and from your description you have SA-node failure and perhaps Chronotropic Incompetence (but you may have a good junctional rhythm that responds well to demand).  But otherwise I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to continue competing as you wish.

CRT-P rather than PM?  Interesting: most EP-docs would implant a two-lead PM and these days try for His-bundle pacing for the RV lead.  But from what you've provided, you only really need RA pacing at present so CRT-P is not needed.  We're guessing here.

Best wishes.

crustyg

by Gemita - 2022-01-29 15:54:57

I see TAC has removed his own post in this thread.  You are probably correct that Nick is due for his implant on Monday.  Makes more sense

CRT-P

by AgentX86 - 2022-01-29 16:37:32

Since they are implanting a CRT, it's apparent that SSS isn't the only issue.  Follow your doctors orders but you should be OK doing whatever it is that you're able to do. This may be a little limited so perhaps you won't be as competetive as you once were but we're also 69yo.

Of course His pacing only makes sense of the CHB is caused by the AV node.  AIUI, there is concern that the reason the A/V node is failing isn't necesarily confined to the to the AV node and can also shop up in the His,  RB, and LB.  Some EPs are more conservative than others.

CRT-P

by Gemita - 2022-01-29 17:55:21

AgentX86, I would tend to agree with you except Nick seems totally asymptomatic and extremely fit at the moment, so I would question the need for CRT?  I see Nick is in the UK and doctors look at both EF and symptoms to determine the need for CRT.  Nick doesn’t mention he has had any previous investigations and that he was himself surprised he needed treatment, so I would want further discussions with my doctors before going ahead with a CRT implant.  We clearly haven't got the full story from Nick.

best way to get back

by Tracey_E - 2022-02-02 20:04:58

Once your doctor clears you, best way back is gradually! Ease into it. If something doesn't feel right, back off and wait a week. You will likely get sore as you get back into it, it takes time for scar tissue to build up and make it numb. Ice will help. And being slow about it! Don't go all crazy first week or even first month back.  

If you haven't had your surgery yet, talk to them about placement of the box and leads, make sure they know your lifestyle. Also make it clear you cycle, it makes a difference which one they give you. Not just any pacer is suited for cycling because many of them are based on movement, and when cycling the chest doesn't move. 

Most of us are cleared for activity at 4-6 weeks, however you'll want to wait longer for pull ups and full golf swings. My doctor said 3 months for that. 

We have triathletes here. Just being paced is not a reason not to be able to do it, though sometimes the underlying condition means having some restrictions. I don't do tri's but I do Crossfit, half marathons, and mud runs with my doctor's blessing. 

Some doctors are more conservative and give weight limits for things like bench presses. This is either because the doctor doesn't have enough active patients to know what's safe and is overly cautious, or the leads are placed so that it's not safe and leads can be crushed. This is why placement and choice of device is important. 

Returning

by runpacer - 2022-02-21 22:23:45

Nick, hi!

On your return to the mountains and distance running, be careful. You may have used for years a backpack and/or running vest. I strongly recommend you avoid their use. The shoulder straps rest right on the pacemaker incision and can lead to an infection. If you want to get out there when you are ready invest in a really good fanny pack. Ultimate Direction has a line of fanny packs that you may like. 

Shortly after my pacemaker was implanted I started running on a treatmill. I jumped to 10 miles with a running vest. I screwed up. I had to go on high powered antibiotics. I had streaks running down my chest. I was lucky that surgery was not required. You probably want to avoid the same mistake I made.