Lack of guidance about exercize

I am a 67 yr old male. I had a double lead Guidant PM implant about a month ago for an accidentally discovered sinus block condition (asystole for 5.5 secs). I have worked with free weights and done cardiovascular (CV) exercizes all my life and have just gotten back to my CV routine.

I am eager to get back to weights (after another one or two months as recommended) and am not sure whether I can exercize using free weights or should use resistance machines.

I very much appreciate any helpful comments. Thanks

2 Comments

Exercise

by richan - 2008-05-17 05:05:50

Hi Viginani,

So, you have joined this growing population of special people. I was blessed with my Guidant 1280 PM - 2 leads back in March or 2005. I'm 69 - next month. My cardio told me that I could not raise my left arm for about 2 months - after which, I could go back to "normal". I have been doing weight lifting - both free weights and machines - for a little over a year. As you know, at our ages, we are loosing muscle mass - smoe of us faster than others. I'm thinking that I might be slowing it down and my muscles are firmer. I have been told that if you can't do 2 sets of 15 reps, you should lower the weight. This should govern what is not enough or too much.

I agree with maryanne, your symptoms will tell you what you can and can't do as far as cardio kinds of exercise go. You can have your PM "tuned". I have had my fine tuned 4(5) times in an effort to accomodate my swimming. I work-out with a Masters Swimming team for my cardio. I have had a bit of a struggle with getting my HR up and sustaining it.

I suggest that you ease your way back into what you used to do. Please let us know how you are progressing - what your are doing etc. I'm hoping that you might "discover" something helpful to others(and me).

Hang in there!

Richan

Excercise and your PM

by maryanne - 2008-05-17 11:05:37

Welcome Viginani.... you are only 4 weeks post implant...the general rule of thumb is 4 - 6 weeks, no heavy lifting on the side of your PM. You should check with your doctor telling him you want to get back to working with weights and see what he says....he may give you the go ahead but using lighter weights...as far as cardio excercise if you mean using your stepper or treadmill or going out for a run....there is no contraindications for doing it...so yes get out and do some cardio....of course if you get symptomatic stop what you are doing and get help....start off slow and work your way up.....I run, I cycle, I ski....I do pretty much anything I want to...my PM is the best thing that ever happend to me....good luck and keep us posted....

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