Exercise following a shock

Exercise following a shock

by Wings - 2024-02-11 09:06:24

Thanks Angry Sparrow for your quick response. 

I agree,  getting the data from the device is the most important thing and I should get that early next week. 

Looking back at the incident,  the sensation before the shock was the same as the incident that got me the ICD in the first place so I think the shock was appropriate but hopefully the data will tell.

Your right about the information out there , lots of it is very old but it doesn't help getting different information from different the different "specialists "

Feeling ok today but not physically  100% (although my heart rate has remained normal).

Mentally it's tough. You worry it will go off again without warning and I'll really have to change my exercise regime which has always played a major part in my mental and physical wellbeing .

Still, like it or not, the ICD is part of my life and I'll have to get used to it (and for others out there,  the shock though unpleasant is not awful and lasts a second)

Exercise following a shock

by Gemita - 2024-02-11 11:16:38

Wing, I will try to answer your questions as an arrhythmia patient, one without an ICD.

Question 1 is difficult.  You need an explanation of why exactly the consultant questioned the safety of running?  As an arrhythmia sufferer I know that exertion, particularly in the presence of an active arrhythmia can quickly cause worsening symptoms, like breathlessness, chest pain as I fight to maintain a good level of activity.  Exertion can trigger a fast, irregular arrhythmia, so I have to listen to what my body is telling me sometimes.  If I do not have any difficult symptoms I may continue to push but at the first signs of trouble, I would tend to slow down or even stop my activity.  Not perhaps what you would want to hear?

I would want to know why you had another shock, whether it was for a dangerous ventricular arrhythmia like sustained VT or whether you received an inappropriate shock, perhaps for a less dangerous atrial tachy arrhythmia?  You need to speak to your doctors to ask what arrhythmia was seen and what therapy was given?

Question 2 it seems obvious but you should go by how you feel.  Clearly if you feel stable after a shock, then a gentle walk should do no harm, but this too is a question for your doctors who will know you best.  There should be a clear plan, clear instructions of what to do in the event of a shock and I sense that none is in place from your questions.

Question 3 there are many effective anti arrhythmic and rate control meds that can be given to prevent or to control an arrhythmia and again you need to speak to your doctors about this, since prevention must clearly be better than treating by shock therapy?  It may also be possible or necessary to make some adjustments to your device settings, depending on what caused your shock.

I send my best wishes to you and hope that you will get some answers and that you will be able to continue doing what you love

Exercise following a shock

by Wings - 2024-02-11 12:52:21

Thanks for your response Gemita.

I think it was a genuine attack and not an inappropriate shock (due to the breath seeming to catch in my throar both times, before and after the ICD insertion) but will no doubt find out this week.

It does look like I may have pushed myself to soon in the recovery from the first incident but like that incident there was no warning, no gradually struggling to breathe just a catching of a breath one moment  (feels like its caught in your throat) and this time, the defib going off.

I hope to get more answers this week to many of my questions from the pacing team (fingers crossed)

Exercise following a shock

by Wings - 2024-02-13 07:38:44

Hi all

Quick update. 

Saw the cardio team and it was a cardiac event and not an inappropriate shock.

Seems I went from 130bpm to over 200bpm very quickly so no real notice and no time to do anything to stop it happening. 

Waiting now to speak to the cardiologist consultant but got the feeling that my running days might be over (as running at 130bpm is nothing exceptional and well within normal limits but does seem in my case it may trigger an irregular rising heartbeat and therefore the defib)

Will update after speaking  to the cardiologist consultant. 

How to exercise safely

by Gemita - 2024-02-13 10:50:04

Thank you for the update Wings and I hope you will have a helpful discussion with your consultant as to how best to proceed?

When one door closes, another always opens but it may not necessarily mean that you have to give up running completely, especially if you can get your arrhythmias under better control which would help to “prevent” a future shock.

When you see the consultant, you could always ask about seeing a cardiac nurse/therapist who could guide you through an exercise routine and teach you how to safely pace yourself.  I recall when my husband was recovering from coronary artery surgery, he went on a programme of cardiac rehabilitation.  It was excellent and he was able to build up strength and confidence.

Keep your spirits up.  Life can still be good 

Exercise safely

by Wings - 2024-02-13 15:22:51

Thanks Gemita.

Your right, I need to find out what exercise I can safely undertake as there is a lot of conflicting information out there.

Let's see what the consultant advises.