Any longtime martial artists with PMs here?

Hi,
I am a 34yr Krav Maga practioner (self defense, somewhat similar to kickboxing). I have had my pm installed due to a 3rd degree AV block in 2010. In 2011 I started practicing Krav Maga again (after 1 year break) with caution again and it's working fine for me, although I am always careful no to fall on my chest, getting my arms pulled backwards or get any punches to the chest.

Are there any long time PM-wearing martial artists here, who actually NEVER had any problems, just like me? Or am I just that lucky? :-) I try to focus on the positive and be careful. It seems everyone is talking about the risks, but to me it's been working out just fine. It does help though that my pm is below my chest muscle.

I have found several messages but they are several years old.. and have been wondering how it worked out for these guys.

2 Comments

not that I know of

by Tracey_E - 2012-10-06 08:10:38

If anyone active in martial arts is around regularly, they haven't spoken up.

We have a few competitive weight lifters and a few like me with a liberal dr who does not give us a long list of restrictions so we do all sorts of things others are told not to do. In almost 20 years, I've never had a problem. Sounds like you're doing all the right things to protect yourself! What's the point in being bionic if we can't go out and do fun stuff?? ;o)

Agreed

by kermiehiho - 2012-10-07 05:10:01

I took a break off volleyball when I started working full-time, but after I got my pm, I decided I wanted to start playing again. I put a fluffy towel over the pacemaker site to protect it when I dive. Took a serve to the pm site once. It worried me for a couple minutes, but felt fine, and at my next appointment, the technician said everything was good. I'd say do what you can to protect it, possibly inform your practice partner where it is so they don't hit over there or pull that arm, but otherwise enjoy. No sense being so fearful that we don't exercise, get fat, and end up with a heart attack anyway, right?

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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