1st time

Hey everybody, I am 26 and got this "car battery" implanted yesterday. I am a Marine, I do know of at least 2 other Marines that have heart monitors and still on active duty.
I am a little nervous about the things I love doing. I was just wondering if anyone has any perspective on: exercising to include pushups and hard impact running like sprints, scuba diving, and last roller coasters? Again, I am 26, I dont want to stop doing the things that I love to do.
They said my pacemaker will only be working 3% of the time the rest of the time its all me.
I would appreciate any feed back. Like many just unsure because this is my first time having one and not many people I know have a pacemaker.

Thanks!

7 Comments

Sports and Exercise...

by turboz24 - 2009-07-10 10:07:03

I have an ICD implanted just under the skin of my left chest and I still do...

Bench presses, flys, incline bench and flys, pull ups, you name it. I have not altered by weight lifting routine and I don't lift light. For example, 3x10 at 290 for flat bench, which isn't a lot, but isn't bad.

As for scuba diving, it all depends on the depth rating of your device. Some arn't rated very deep, but your Mfg should be able to answer that question. I think the most I heard of was 40-65 meters, though.

I assume since it's only working 3% of the time, you have some sort of block or syncopy, and don't have issues with the your heart rate increasing with exercise.

I would avoid any contact sports, unless you wear some sort of protection or your PM is implanted under the pec muscle. Mine isn't, so the less than 1/8" of skin doesn't offer a lot of protection, so getting hit even lightly hurts like $!@#$%!@.

As for roller coasters, as long as your PM doesn't have the rate response turned on and the roller coaster pads don't put a lot of pressure on the device (once again, depends on how it's implanted), most people on here are allowed do still ride them.

Roller Coasters and Bumper Cars

by pacemaker writer - 2009-07-11 04:07:20

Hi, I'm a medical writer and have written all kinds of stuff about pacemakers. Roller coasters may pose a problem. The problem isn't the ride itself, but the motors used to power large rides like that may create electromagnetic fields that create interference for the pacemaker.
This is usually not a problem at major theme parks since their rides are well designed and you won't be in immediate proximity to the motor. However, at smaller parks or carnivals or anywhere where you might be close to the motor, there's a slight chance of interference.

If interference does occur, your pacemaker may go on "backup" and start to pace you consistently at a certain rate. The way pacemakers think, it figures, "I'm not sure what's going on, so I'll just pace to be sure."

If you move out of the area where the interference occurred, your device should go back to normal. If you experience interference for a longer period of time, your pacemaker may go into "backup mode." In that case, you need to go to the doctor to get it reset to normal.

It won't hurt you and it won't damage the pacemaker, but you may feel "not yourself " if you're in backup for a long time.

So if you go on any rides at all, just be sure you're not near the motors. The worst ride in terms of potential to create interference -- bumper cars! Most manufacturers tell pacemaker people to avoid bumper cars.

I agree with turboz24

by Brosef - 2009-07-11 10:07:07

I am 25 and have had my pacemaker for 12 years now. It is under my pectoral muscle. I have enjoyed weightlifting, basketball, martial arts, snowboarding, roller coasters, running, etc. Don't worry about anything that doesn't elicit a direct blow to the region. The impact from running and such is not enough to detach the leads. That said, you obviously need to wait for the leads to get set and all after surgery so take it easy for a while, but after that probationary period go back to everything you love (except contact football and punches to the chest). Don't let it be an impediment to the life you want to live, and at 3% paced I think you don't have much to worry about.

Car Battery

by ElectricFrank - 2009-07-11 12:07:35

I hope that battery is a "Die Hard". G(:

frank

Hi there!

by Hot Heart - 2009-07-13 02:07:18

Talk to wrholder, email him and have a chat, am sure he can help

HH

well done

by Brantfordmuscle - 2010-03-10 09:03:37

Hi usmcmcdempsey,
I'm 49 and I had my pacer for syncope. I'm a distance runner and was going to a trainer for core strengthening and was dizzy every time (which I found very frustrating). I had my pacer put in July/09 like you.
I found it a bit bothersome.. (could feel it) when I did upper body exercises but I left it a little longer. I have now started going to a gym for regular workouts (nothing big here being a beginner). Anyway my point is, if an old poop like me can do this.. a strong healthy 26yr old can certainly do whatever he feels comfortable doing. I do agree with turboz26 with the contact sports though. I work in a jail and had an officer (kidding around bump his head into my chest (he didn't know I had the pacer). The pain was intense and I had a slight bruise from it. Honestly I thought I was going down for a moment or two. Of course he felt terrible afterwards but the point is that you can't predict and if you get hit, trust me, it hurst like hell!
Good luck with your exercise. If I were you, I'd live life to the fullest and not avoid anything unless it's totally risky (I'd avoid tackle football LOL).
Cheers.

Me too!

by lmsilgjord - 2012-06-27 10:06:23

Hi

I am a 24 year old female in the Army National Guard. Started passing out while on active duty and went through every test possible. Finally had to have an emergency pacemaker installed 8 months ago. My heart condition has been found in the line of duty and now I am pending my medical discharge. I am trying to find other soldiers from all branches to see if they can conduct a study on soldiers with pacemakers. I had a 2nd degree type 2 heart block and the pacemaker has made me 100%. It paces me 30% of the time. I am able to continue with life without any limitations. I am very active and I feel so much better with the pacemaker. I was scared at first, but now I dont even notice its there. :) I would like to talk more and share stories from our experiences and hoping to get a list of soldiers who are willing to talk about it and hoping to get an answer to why so many young service members are now needing pacemakers.


lmsilgjord@hotmail.com

You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.