Volleyball?

Dear all,
I am 31 and I got a pacemaker implantation 4 weeks ago. As you can deduce, I was in shock because of my age. Lamentably I had in the past some episodes (faints) due to stress in general, and last time my heart stop around 22 seconds. Fortunately, I was at the hospital when it happened because I wanted to check if I had epilepsy (after fainting I had some epileptic-like attacks). The doctors took some blood from me to analyze it, and I faint because of that (they took so much blood!!!!). During this procedure I was connected to an electrocardiogram device. That was when they were able to measure this long pause.
So, the thing is that now I have a pacemaker, and I want to continue with my normal life.
I used to play volleyball... do you know if there is a high risk to brake the device if a receive a ball impact?
Is there some risk also that the electrodes could be broken or disconnected because of the impact?
Thank for your help!
Andy

5 Comments

Placement, etc

by turboz24 - 2009-03-17 06:03:32

I would say it all depends on the placement of the device, etc. If you have a sub-pectoral implant, I'd say anything but maybe some serious contact sports would be fine, but just under the skin, probably not so.

I actually worry more about pain than breaking my lead or connector. Getting hit with anything if your PM or ICD is just under the skin can be extremely painful, so it's something I avoid completely.

Ask your Dr.

by bowlrbob - 2009-03-17 08:03:13

This is not part of your question but were you checked for NCS. Just wondering That along with bradycardia is what I have and your symptoms sound the same. Now for your question ask your Dr. about the possibility of playing volleyball. You might be able to pad the pacer area enough to allow play. It would be improbable in most games of volleyball to get hit hard enough to cause problems as long as precautions were taken to protect the area. Just my opinion. Bowlrbob

Time frame....

by maryanne - 2009-03-19 01:03:36

If this is your first PM....it is 6 weeks before you should be doing any lifting over your head. The leads need this time to adhere to the tissue.

As far as sports....I would concur with bowlrbob...ask your doctor. I on the other hand play volleyball, slo pitch, water ski, snow ski, golf, fish, soccer.....lots of sports....but that is me...I haven't had any problems with lead breakage or anything....but please please check with your doctor first.

Welcome to the club and I hope you can get back doing the things you enjoy soon.....

Cheers, Mary Anne

pacemaker protection

by ZoieS - 2009-05-15 09:05:23

Try this website. www.paceguard.com I have one and I use it to play softball and take gym class. I don't even know it is there. My doctor likes it too.

vball OKed

by kermiehiho - 2011-01-22 03:01:15

I did a search here for volleyball, concerned that I wouldn't be able to play anymore after my pacemaker. Just wanted to report that I had an appointment with my cardiologist today, and he said I can play as long as I protect my pacemaker area and wear some kind of padding to protect the area when I dive. Honestly, volleyball is not really a contact sport (or, as a petite female, I'd probably really suck at it). As long as you're paying attention, the probability of taking a spiked ball to the pectoral is slim. I'm more concerned about how to protect myself when diving.

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