How is my life going to change?

Any one out there who loves to stay in shape and who has had a pacemaker implanted for a while. Hows your exercise routine different from before and whats the pros and cons of the pacemaker and exercising(yoga,weight lifting,running,dancing and jumping on a trampoline). I'm young 24yrs. old and just had my pm implanted 03/26/09 and am very active and have a whole life ahead of me. So if theres anybody out there who love to share info. with me please do i'd love to hear some wisdom and get some understanding on my diagnosis and how my lifes going to change...

12 Comments

How is my life going to change?

by Tennisnut - 2009-04-29 04:04:06

It should change only for the better. I am physically more active now than before having a pacemaker. I play a lot of tennis and lift weights. Only problem is getting it set correctly. Best of luck.

Not a Whole Lot

by tuck3lin - 2009-04-29 04:04:21

Well, I am 50, so I don't know if I am the best person to respond. Prior to a PM, I was already starting to slow down and not doing what I did at 24. :-) But, I guess I would still be considered fairly active.

Everything I did before getting the PM last fall, I still do. I am still running and recently completed my second 5K (the first was in September before the PM implant in November). I had a better time last Saturday than I did in my pre-PM 5K. I regularly run 4 miles on the treadmill three times a week, and have a 3.5 mile outside loop I sometimes also run. I went downhill skiing twice this winter. I throw the frisbee and football in the yard with the kids. I do some light weight-lifting. I'll probably do some 5 mile hikes once we get a string of decent weather and the trails dry out. We have a trampoline, but I don't jump on it because it bothers my back, not because of the PM.

I guess it depends on the reason for your PM, but other than contact sports, you should be fine doing whatever you want to do. Check with your doctor, but mine was fine having me start easing back into cardio exercise two weeks after the operation. Raising your arms over you head (as in overhead lifts) are probably a no-no for a few months, but then after that you should be fine. Any sport where you might take a blow to the chest is something to stay away from, though.

playing tennis ? wow

by de-blessed - 2009-04-29 04:04:34

I thought i could never play tennis again after getting the pacemaker implanted due to repititive arm movement, hard stokes, and sudden movements. How long have you had your PM and your doc oked you for tennis

Not at all..

by johnwgirardi@gmail.com - 2009-04-29 06:04:39

I am 56 have had a PM for 9 years. If you plan on scuba diving you must get your PM certified for whatever depth you plan to dive. In my case 100'. Other then that. Knock yourself out!! It will only improve your quality of life from "pre PM days". I doubt you will notice any difference after a few weeks or so.

anything goes

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-29 07:04:41

As long as you don't do something that risks a direct hit to the pm itself such as tackle football or competitive karate, you should be able do whatever you want. The pm itself will not hold you back, though it's possible your underlying condition may so run it by your doctor before getting too extreme.

I got my first pm when I was 27. I'm 42 now and have two kids. I hike, ski, rollerblade, lift weights. Other than taking a bit longer to get through the airport and getting checked every 3 months, I don't even give it a thought.

I agree: Should be better

by Mayor - 2009-04-29 08:04:22

I'm just a couple of weeks shy of 6 months since my implant. I'm 58 and have run two 10K's and two 5K's since then. I have 2:1 AV block, so for me, it's been the miracle cure. BTW, there are tons of posts on this site from others who have resumed their favorite sports and/or fitness routine. Almost none of them, though, are football players or martial artists!

Yes, it should get better

by petrolhead - 2009-04-29 09:04:03

I'm 21 and had my pacemaker fitted at the end of February. Before I first started blacking out back in July I wasn't exactly the fittest person in the world, but then the DVLA revoked my driving licence so I had no choice but to walk! Before I had the pacemaker I found it hard to walk as fast as my friends, walking uphill was exhausting and doing sports would have killed me!! ;-) But I've noticed a steady improvement and although I don't think I'll be winning any marathons this year, I can walk up a hill without keeling over, which is always good!

wow how i wish i was 24!!!!!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-04-30 03:04:27

Hi there, I'm a very young, almost 56 (but dont tell anyone) lol. I've got a little exercise trampoline which has been fine, the only thing I'm a bit careful with now is strenuous upward stretching, like the sort of really high stretches in yoga. I swim, walk, go to the gym, and partake in all the usual activities of a woman with a younger husband!!! (blushing slightly)

At 24 my main advice to you is to look after the skin on your pm site, and any other areas that you may have it resited, the better the quality of skin the better you should heal, I'm very careful with my skin and my scar is almost invisible already, 6 months on. If you moisturise from a young age then your skin will generally stay good, take some advice from an 'old en'

Obviously be aware that you have a pacemaker and try to not get the area knocked, but everything else in your life should be ok. Just go for it!!!!!! Lots of luck. HH

Depends

by ShadowWeaver - 2009-04-30 04:04:02

For Mayor, I am one of the martial artists. sheesh. Anyhow, I am 1 month post implant and am feeling much better. I am still battling the depression of not being able to take a hit (which my friends find funny that it upsets me that I can't be hit in the chest now) but seem to be able to do everything else. I manage a restaurant so I am running all day long and since having the PM my endurance is better as I am no longer passing out or having extreme shortness of breath. My understanding is that once it all heals up, you can do anything that doesn't cause a hit to the PM. So enjoy! :)

Michael

Thanks

by de-blessed - 2009-04-30 07:04:49

thanks so much to all for the good advice, it really helps and gives me a little understanding of the pm..You all seem very upbeat and that encourages me about the future.

Sorry, ShadowWeaver !

by Mayor - 2009-04-30 09:04:14

Right after I hit "Add Comment" on that last post of mine, I thought, "You know, there just might be some black belts and/or linebackers reading this who have had to stop doing what they love to do." I am glad that you're feeling better with your PM,and I apologize for my insensitivity.

Can do...

by turboz24 - 2009-04-30 10:04:52

I can pretty much do anything that I did before I received my ICD, unless it involves something pushing/hitting my chest or taking off my shirt.

My ICD does not do any pacing functions, though.

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