Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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Walking

Hi folks. I am five days into a Medtronic, two wire pacemaker. Feeling great. Behaving myself. on third day I walked for 11 minutes; next day, 20 minutes; third day, 35 minutes. Brisk walking...no more than that. Feedback from doc and others at hospital was that walking is OK, perhaps encouraged. My lovely wife is not an exercise maven. I am. So, naturally, she is concerned.

Question: is there anyone who thinks that vigorous walking, 4 miles an hour pace, is anything but beneficial. <...

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Tuning a Medtronic pacemaker

I am 82 years old and I have had a 3 wire pacemaker implanted several months ago because of a very slow heart rhythm coupled with several rhythm irregularities, including 27% PVCs. I have also been put on a beta blocker, the result of which is that I am now 100% paced. My normal life style has been climbing a 650 foot (15% incline) hill almost daily (from office to home) and cross country skiing 3 days a week during the ski season.

My electrophysiologist did not have a clue how to...

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Outdoor Job (letter carrier)

I'm a 49 y/o male with a my first ICD implanted on December 31,2013 due to a V Tach episode on Dec 23. I got the million dollar workup (EP study, echo, MRI, angio..) and the results all pointed to a healthy heart with a 65% EF with no physical abnormalities. I'm on Sotalol, Losartan and Carvedilol.

My E.Cardiologist released me back to work as a letter carrier this coming Monday. He says my only restrictions are full contact sports, marathons and boxing. My doctor must have a lot of f...

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Started Running :-)

Hi Forum,

I had my PM on 30/12/2013 I am 45, and though it took me a bit of a while to get my head round it, I think I have got there now. I have started running / jogging.

Because I used to be quite muscular for years of gym, (I stopped a few years back), I have larger pectoral muscles.

When I run, i can feel my Pec's 'bouncing', which I think is normal anyway. Now I have the PM fitted, I am wondering what effect this will have on the leads. I have put my hand...

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Polaris RZR

I had my pacemaker installed a little over 1 month ago and I want to know if it's safe to ride on a Polaris RZR? My son-in-law is bringing his RZR to the house this weekend and he has invited me to go for a ride at one of the local tracks. My only concern is whether or not the probes are grown-in enough to withstand riding/driving one of these 4-wheel vehicles (aggressively) at-speed.

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Sex

I recently started dating someone with a difib. How will having sex affect him? Is it safe. Can we have a normal sex life? He often complains that the difib hurts and has me apply pressure to it. Is this normal? I don't want to hurt him. I just don't know what to do.

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Will my new Advantio K063 keep up

I developed A V Block during an Aortic Valve replacement in 2003. Its being replaced with the Andvantio. Currently my pacer is slow to increase my heart rate need when biking. Eventually it catches up but normally I'm exhausted by than. Example climbing a hill, about the time I get to the top it is beginning to ramp up. Does anyone know iifAndvandio will more responsive. Had the Guidiant for 11 years and know I will have this one longer. I ride 20 to 60 miles three times a week and am 57 year...

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feeling low & wanting to Exercise

Hi,
I had my PM implanted last Monday evening and I have to say it was more painful than I thought it would be. Not so much where the PM is situated but deep centralised pain which is still there.I think it was because of the shape of my Rt ventricle there were some problems at implanting the lead.
My main issue is that I thought I would be feeling really happy and positive instead of which I am still very emotional and wanting to cry a lot.I feel really down.
Can I do pilates/yo...

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Returning to Running

Ok, this question is directed towards the ladies on this forum site who participate in sports who have a pacemaker.
My pacemaker went in a couple of weeks ago and all is healing well. I want to return to running and after following my Cardiologists instructions waited 2 weeks. I went for my first run today which did not go well. As money is tight what do the ladies on this forum recommend sports bra or crop tops or am I stariting too early post op with my exercise regime?
Thanks for su...

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exercise induced asthma

Hi all, I have a ICD and I am on beta blockers. I have tried to stay in shape exercising since having it placed 6 years ago. Just recently I have developed a cough and weird feeling in throat after exercising. The cough lasts through the night and eases up the next day. My question is : does anyone have these symptoms and has a doctor ever diagnosed asthma. Several people seem to think that is the case with me and I'm wondering if an inhaler can be used with my medical history. Does anyone have...

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With hand weights

Any problems lying on floor doing chest press with hand weights ? or any hand weight exercises, I should not be doing ??

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TENS equipment

I am 48 years old and was recently fitted with a dual chamber pacemaker ; so far, it seems that things are going well ; prior to my operation, I used to complement any fitness work that I did by using a TENS body toning machine.
could anyone please inform me whether it remains OK for me to use such machine's, after my pacemaker implantation. I would be grateful for any tips and suggestions.....

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Skiing for the first time with my ICD

I am a recent recipient of a PM/ICD. It has been about 3 months since my surgery and I was planning to go skiing in the next few weeks but am concerned about the altitude and effort that goes into the sport. I am 19 and have been going to the gym to rebuild my stamina regularly, but was hoping to get some tips/advice as to what I can do to prepare myself for skiing. This is all new to me, and being so young I wanna be prepared, thanks!

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CrossFitter Itching to WOD Again

What would have been my 1-year anniversary with CrossFit ended up being a week long hospital stay. I collapsed at my toddler's birthday party and was airlifted to Atlanta. I had five episodes of bradycardia including two where my heart stopped completely that day. According to my doctors, I am in peak physical fitness for a 36-year-old. The cause is still unknown, but I now have a PM.

I spent 14 years In law enforcement with 6 of those years as a SWAT operator. I have been very worri...

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Training heart rate

I had my pacemaker put in 4 weeks ago. My rhr prior to implant was as low as 27, regularly in the 30's. My symptoms were shortness of breath and I couldn't get my heart rate over 100. My training heart rate range prior to having these symptoms was 90-125.
My pacemaker is set between 55-130. I have found there is no relationship between perceived exertion and my heart rate. On a treadmill, it will go to 130 before I am breathing hard, and when I do an interval and push myself, it stays at 13...

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Shoulder and chest exercises

My chest muscles are very weak so its difficult for me to breathe or even stay straight so i need to do some exercises. I have the pacemaker for 4 months and i'm wondering if somebody has experience with this and knows if i can stretch my arm above my head, pull weight or do any exercise on machines.Now i only workout my legs.(my next pacemaker check is in may so i will have doctors info then)

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Rowing Machine

Had my PM installed a year ago and have been told by my cardioMD to avoid rowing machines. Does anyone have experience with adverse effects from certain types of exercises including rowing machines?

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Fit Bit Safe?

I'm very interested in getting the Fit Bit Flex to keep track of my daily activity. Are they safe to use? I would most likely take it off before I go to sleep anyway, that way it doesn't interfere with my ICD.

Thank You!

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Here's one for you Crossfitters, new PR on Fran!

I had a PM put in just this November for Vasovagel Syncope. I was an avid Crossfitter so naturally I was concerned what the future would hold in that regard. I figured at first I would never again be back to where I was before. About a month ago after I healed I got back into it with a few minor modifications and some very patient coaches at my box. My modifications are that I don't use a barbell in the front rack position, bench press with a bar, or do burpees.

After exactly a mo...

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Working out with a pacemaker?

Hi everyone!

I've had a pacemaker since I was 18 months old (I'm 23 years old now), and it was placed in my abdomen since I was a baby at the time. In December, I had the pacemaker replaced for the first time, and it was put in the normal spot for adults, right under the collarbone.

Before having the pacemaker replaced, I was really active. I ran a lot and participated in Tone It Up (www.toneitup.com). I'm back to running, but I'm really confused on whether or not I should...

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You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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I still feel great today and can’t stop feeling excited at my "new" life. Modern day miracles through medicine and electronic devices are amazing!