Exercise, How much & when

Hi,
Thank you all for this wonderful site I visit it a lot and find your messages very inspiring. On 7/7/08 I had cardiac arrest in my local gym. Luckily the staff there had the training and an AED and they revived me. I now have an ICD (put in on 14/7/08 and my cardiologist has told me to continue as soon as I've recovered from the surgery with an exercise program as there wasn't any significant damage to my heart. At the moment I'm walking and I feel great. I would like to go back to my gym but I'm a bit nervous. I've had no shocks yet as far as I know (there has been some pacing). Has anyone got some thoughts on a good time to start back at a gym and a suitable exercise program. I'm 59 and still, after losing 10 kg, about 15 kg overweight.

5 Comments

Went back to what I did before.

by turboz24 - 2008-08-08 03:08:13

I resumed my regular workout routine 2 weeks after my ICD implantation. I usually lift weights 5 days a week for 1-1.25 hrs/day. My doctor told me to not lift anything with my left arm for 2 weeks, then after that I could do what I felt up to. I did go with lighter weights, since I had lost almost 20 lbs and a considerable amount of my strength being in the hospital and off my workout routine, but went back as hard as I could.

Another Aussie

by busby - 2008-08-08 08:08:28

Hi,
I assumed from your name that you must be an Australian so I looked you up. I live in Lismore, NSW (near Byron Bay). There are quite a few Aussies on here.
I do not have an ICD, but a pacemaker and have had it for over 5yrs. I went back to the gym after about 6 weeks and by 3 months I was back to pre-PM fitness. Now I am probably fitter than ever. I kept telling myself that the PM was not going to stop me. I am just a little younger than you (57). Just start off at the gym and do as much as you feel comfortable with, without doing too much above the head exercises for a while. Eventually you will feel like you can take on more. It took me about 6 months before I was game enough to do a fool on aerobic class.
Good Luck
Robin

Thanks for your help

by Rogeroz - 2008-08-08 11:08:24

Thank you all for your advice. Looks as if there's no excuses now! I'll check out with my Cardiologist about riding a bike to gym driving of course is not on the agenda for now.

roger

by jessie - 2008-08-08 11:08:34

welcome to this wonderful site. glad you are doing okay. i am 66 and have a dual lead medtronic p.m. i go next week for 2 year check. so far lots of energy. i am from canada. billie blueaustralia is visiting right now around melbourne where kay rewired aussiegirl lives. i talk to billie a lot. it is a great site. make friends and relax as much as you can. we are special. we have another chance. jess

Exersize

by schube13 - 2008-08-17 08:08:03

I have had my ICD for 10 years its been changed twice but I work out 3 to 4 days a week useing Alsearsmd.com program and it is working quite well wish I could cut down the food would do much better. Ron

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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