Cardioathlete

I have been a runner for 3 years, I just had my PM implanted on Monday and had my Loop Recorder removed. Does anyone know how long I shouldn't run? I have had various answers - 6 weeks, 3 months. Help? I know I'm out of my 1/2 in October due to an ankle injury from the acystole event but I'd like to get back to it as soon as possible! Thank you!

6 Comments

running

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-17 02:05:51

Ask your dr to be sure you are cleared for cardio, but all I was told was don't lift anything too heavy. I started walking the day I got out of the hospital. I added length and picked up speed then added wrist and ankle weights and got on the stationary bike as I felt up to it. It took about 6 weeks to get back to anything high impact, sooner than that and the bouncing left me sore but my pm is buried so I was sore longer than average.

6 weeks is generally the restriction on lifting weights and raising the arm higher than shoulder level, not aerobic activity. My dr says anything you want at 6 weeks except a full golf swing, wait 3 months for that.

cardioathlete pt 2

by trnugen - 2013-05-17 09:05:15

Hi Mark, Thanks for the response. I am off running because of the ankle injury (2 ligament tears and a joint effusion) until after 6/6 because of both the loop recorder and pacemaker on the same procedure I'm guessing it will take a little longer to repair that muscle. I was actively lifting weights and running daily. I also refuse to let it slow me down!

16 days for me - but depends on your condition

by ma_ku - 2013-05-17 09:05:55

Hi,

I was walking 5 to 10 miles a day from the day after implantation and stationary biking a week after implantation. I was back to running in just over 2 weeks after implantation.

It will depend on any other health conditions you have and how comfortable your wound feels. I asked my cardiologist(s) if I could run after implantation and they basically said yes, as soon as I felt well enough to. Do you have any contraindications to exercise eg other heart problems etc?

There was no way I was going to let this thing stop me from living an active life. We are all different though. Listen to your body and your cardiologist.

An ankle injury makes things a bit more complicated though. You may need to rest from running more so from that than because of the pacemaker!

Good luck

Mark

6 weeks after surgery

by hjfarr - 2013-05-28 12:05:11

I have competed in triathlons for 30+ years. I had my pm implanted in Jan 11, was on my bike trainer in 3 weeks, running again in 4-5 weeks, swimming in 6 weeks and completed in an Olympic distance tri in July 11.In 2012 I was able to complete 2 full Ironman Tris. You should follow your doc's instructions. The schedule above is what my doc recommended and may not work for everyone.

follow up appointment

by trnugen - 2013-05-28 12:05:18

I am now 2 weeks out, I did a little treadmill on Saturday and went 2 miles easily. At my follow up they still recommended no running for 3 months I'm not going to lie I may have done some really fast walking on Saturday it wasn't too bad just the bouncing was a little uncomfortable and no bike due to ankle injury! I'll just keep on trucking along and keep going. I'll accomplish the goals it will just take me a little more effort and work! And when I cross that finish line in October it will be just that much more emotional!

Follow Up Appointment

by patvl246 - 2013-05-31 05:05:39

trnugen, what was your doctors advice on the weight training, if I may ask. Thanks

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