New in PM world

I will join the club in a week or two. I was doing a lot of sports (Ironman, Triathlon) and the doctor says that my problem maybe related to this (I have slow heart beat but from time to time long pauses). I wonder whether I can go back to intensive activity (long running, biking, and swimming).  They said swimming is a problem. 

Anyone experience such a recovery at an age similar to mine (58)?

Giora

3 Comments

Interesting

by IAN MC - 2012-04-25 03:04:40

Hi Giora .. I was interested that your doc said that your problem MAY have been caused by your previous high levels of exercise...my cardiologist said exactly the same thing to me.

I was an obsessive runner for 25 yrs+ and did countless half and full marathons. A routine ECG , about 5 yrs before I got a PM showed that I had an enlarged left ventricle with thickening of the heart muscles ( probably caused by all the running )... this can lead to low heart rates apparently; and it's reasonable to assume that if the HR goes too low then you could have pauses.

.... sure enough, like you, I developed pauses, blacked out once and then had a PM..no more pauses...problem solved !

.... and then there's recent evidence that triathletes and other high endurance athletes are more likely to develop fibrillation and other heart rhythm disturbances . It's enough to put you off exercise for life but the consensus of medical opinion is still that endurance exercise it is good for you and the benefits outweigh the risks .

As to your question...will you be able to go back to intensive activity ? I guess the honest answer is "Possibly" . Many people can, some can't . A pacemaker controls the symptoms of your cardiac electrical problem but you still have something wrong with the electrics which causes your HR to fall. As to whether that "something" will allow you to resume your distance running and swimming at your previous levels...then there's only one way to find out ...try it !

I wish you all the best and hope that you will become 100% back to your old self.

Ian

Can do all?

by mels - 2012-04-26 02:04:19

While not an Ironman participant, I have been a long term marathon and ultra runner in over 50 marathon or longer races. I am now 80 and training for the Phoenix Rock and Roll in January. My pacemaker was installed about 3 months ago. Installation was following several near or complete fainting experiences while training. Heart rate to slow and skipped at night.My experience is that I am going to find it difficult to attain excellent conditioning as my body is expecting a low heart rate and the body had adjusted to this limited condition. Now I want a heart of 140 or more on demand for distances, but the body has to retrain to be able to tolerate this. It is going to take time, so far 105 is about all I can tolerate. Biking has been easier as I have not pushed the pace. Rest days and effort variance are more critical to me and I tire more easily.
MELS

Thank you for your comments

by Giora - 2012-04-26 02:04:27

HURTHEART & Ian
i maybe did not explain very weel the diagnostics & i will do so soon. Yes I consult with more than one MD one of them work with Athlets. Defenetely my MD said that I have thickening of the heart muscles but no other deformation. In any case i am now in a situation that I need to digest the fact that my body betrays me and see how to cope with this PM that hopefully will help me to go back to some level of activity.
Any Idea of PM type , assuming the MD recomend on one type , are there few similar maybe something like high end or cheaper devices ?
Thanks

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Member Quotes

Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.