Bowling

I am an 81 year old male with a recently implanted St Jude PM2210 Pacemaker.  My only exercise is Bowling and Golf.  I would like to know if I will be able to resume bowling sometime in the future, as there is a lot of upper body movement throwing a 15 lb bowling ball down the alley.

kenearl

6 Comments

Bowling With A Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2011-10-06 01:10:37

Hello Kenearl,

I see no reason you can't bowl again. It may take two or three months to be sure the leads are fixed in place, but that is all. Of course you should check with your Dr in case there is something else to be considered. Golf is about the same. I got my PM in 2000 at age 71 and was playing golf by the time it was three months old. I have to admit it didn't help my score, but then that never was very good anyway.

After thinking about it, I still do everything I was doing before I got my PM.

Good luck,

Smitty

Bowling

by LS - 2011-10-06 09:10:03

Yes, you should be fine, but like Smitty said, wait a few months.
I've been bowling several times since receiving mine.
Enjoy! Liz

go for it!!!!!!!!!

by Hot Heart - 2011-10-07 04:10:11

just use a lighter ball and dont lift it too high!!

HH

Sometimes there is a choice.

by Selwyn - 2011-10-07 07:10:08

I'm no bowler. Of course it is a good idea to wait until the leads are firm.

Most people are right handed, and the pacemaker goes into the left side of the chest. This should be OK for bowling.

There is a choice of site - if you are left handed you can have the pacemaker sited on the right side.

I thought this would be a good idea as I am left handed ( and who knows could take up bowling, or archery, or similar) > I carefully marked where I wanted the PM box on my chest in relation to my car seatbelt, went into the cardiolab, and found the right side would always rub on the seatbelt if I drove ( in the UK). The whole cardiolab had to be turned round, now the pacemaker is on the left- this is excellent for driving , however as a passanger I do find the belt rubs the PM box on long journeys.
So, all you keen bowlers, if you have not had a PM fitting yet - there is a choice of which side of the chest to put the leads and box. Ask.

bowlerbob

by jessie - 2011-10-07 10:10:30

was once on this site. he sometimes turns up but seldom . he is head of all the bowling tournaments in america. he could sure tell you but i don't know where to tell you to find him but he was from oregon. jessie

Bowl in three months?

by texpm - 2011-10-28 10:10:04

I received my pacemaker about six weeks ago for slow heart rate (no defib). I bowl with right hand and PM is on left side (good). The cardiologist says I now have no restrictions on weight or range of movement; just avoid physical shocks and jerks (boxing).

Other websites of medical institutions recommend waiting three months before something strenuous like bowling. So, I'm gradually lifting more weight and doing more with right hand (and left). I now use all the universal machines at the gym (about 50% of my usual weights), and plan to bowl when three months is up.

I too would be interested in any research on this issue.

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