Push ups

I have a dual lead PM which was implanted 4 months ago. I am now finally getting back to exercising. I've gained about 10 lbs and am very flabby! However, today I took a yoga class and noticed that a lot of the moves are in the "downward dog" position. This movement puts a lot of pressure on my arms, chest, and shoulders. Do you think it's okay to sustain these moves?
I'm also wondering if it's okay to do push-ups. Thanks.
Lake Breeze

4 Comments

Hi Lake Breeze!!

by Lisarose - 2011-09-02 07:09:00

I just started back to yoga, (regular practitioner up until two months ago), also felt pressure and a "hitting my funny bone" type of sensation around my pacemaker, in my case, I think I just need to get my stamina back and I am thinking that there is still some muscle healing to occur, but if you have concerns, contact your medical team.
Take care and keep in touch,
Lisarose

Push Ups

by DawnM - 2011-09-02 11:09:27

LB,
Glad to hear you're back to regular activities! When I got clearance from my EP to resume exercise and strength training, he told me to avoid exercises such as push ups and chest presses (anything that works the pectoral muscles too much), as they would put too much stress on the PM leads, and could cause them to need replacing prematurely. I used to do a lot of push ups, so that has been an adjustment. You should check with your doctor just to be sure.
Dawn

Depends

by ElectricFrank - 2011-09-03 12:09:40

As long as the doc left some slack in the leads there should be no problem. If using the pectoral muscles during push ups will "put stress on them", just think what your beating heart does on the other end of the leads.

These guys just flip out a statement they have seen or heard somewhere.and leave their brain in neutral.

If you feel the need for an OK just check around at the Yoga class and seen anyone else has a doc that is OK with the push up type activity. Maybe you could get a second opinion.

frank

ask the dr

by Tracey_E - 2011-09-05 02:09:15

As Frank said, it should be ok but check with your dr. Some dr's are overly conservative and tell all their patients to avoid all upper body exercises without considering the individual patient's needs. Some people have their pm placed in a manner that the leads don't have any give so in the case you'd need to be more careful. Most of us have -plenty of slack in the leads -they come considerably longer than we need and the excess is coiled and placed behind the device so they move with us when we exercise. Occasionally it's placed right up against the collar bone, which can rub and damage the leads so in that case you'd need to be careful. But those are the exceptions, not the rule, so ask your dr.

I do downward dog all the time as well as push ups and I'm learning to do a pull up- all with my dr's permission. I'm on my 4th pm and have been active since the day I got the first one, no restrictions, no problems other than the occasional aching scar tissue when I over do it.

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