Weight Training

Doctor told me today I need a pacemaker, I have information overload, except on the subject of weight training with a pacemaker. Other than doc telling me I'd have to cut way back at the gym, I don't know much more than that. I went to brain freeze after his statement. Any advice??? Thanks in advance.

13 Comments

Running with a Pacemaker

by gordon31 - 2013-05-30 06:05:17

Hi.
3 dys after having a pacemaker fitted in 2012 I ran a 10k run, then a week later another 10k.

The following week my running pack for the British London 10K arrived so I did the run with over 40,000 others, my finishing time was 71 ms 8secs and finishing position was 8156 so I had over 30,000 runners behind me. Not bad for an 80 year old.

Since then I entered another 5 runs, 2 of them in a Santa Suite.
for my 81st birthday

This Year in March I ran the Stafford Half Marathom in 2hrs 25mns.
with a lot more experienced club runners still coming over the finishing line over 30mns after me.

There is life in the old dog yet.

Weight Training

by patvl246 - 2013-05-30 06:05:25

Thanks gordon31, and all the best to you.

No

by Chels - 2013-05-30 06:05:44

IMO, you will only need to have restrictions during the first six weeks after implant. They will tell you not to raise your arm or lift more than 10 pounds. I'm not a weight lifter by any means but I do plenty of sports activities, bike riding, tennis, running, etc and did lift weights (heavy for me, lol) while in highschool with no problems. There are a lot of atheletes and very active people on here...see above..and they are all just fine. It's all fair game once you are feeling up to it!

Chelsey

Weight Training

by patvl246 - 2013-05-30 07:05:08

You've lifted my spirits Chelsey, Thank you

Weight Training

by patvl246 - 2013-05-30 07:05:11

Thanks so much for your reply Tracey, I'll be checking out your previous posts ASAP

weights

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-30 07:05:17

If you click on my username and look for my past comments, this comes up several times a week and I usually jump in with long explanations. I need to get dinner going so I can't do a long post now, but I say the same thing every time... Drs vary on advice. Some are really conservative and would wrap us in bubblewrap. Some have a good reason but some do it out of ignorance because they don't have other patients like us. Some put no restrictions on us. Most are in the middle.

I do Crossfit 5 mornings a week so that's weights, running, pull ups, pretty much anything you can think of because they change it up every day. I've been paced since 1994, am on my 4th pm, and have never had a problem. I suspect you lift quite a bit heavier than me, but I hold my own for a middle aged mom. My dr has been nothing but encouraging.

Talk to your surgeon about placement. If they know you are active, they can bury it between the pectorals rather than the usual placement just under the collarbone.

(ok, I really have to get dinner started or there will be a mutiny. More later if you still have questions)

my unprofessional opinion

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-31 06:05:01

Your EF is barely under what's considered normal. If you feel good lifting weights, I say lift weights. Or at least try and see how you feel. If you start to feel bad, then it's time to reconsider or cut back. Have they found a reason why your ef is low, like enlargement or other disease? If your heart is healthy structurally but just has electrical problems, that's different from structural or plumbing problems. If it's just electrical, you can get away with more than the other types.

And EF is an average calculated based on a moving, working organ. 3 techs can get 3 numbers. I would not be splitting hairs over what is ok to do at 40 vs 45 vs 50.

Even More on Weight Training

by patvl246 - 2013-05-31 06:05:39

Sorry to post on the same subject again, but I just received a response from a member on another site. I could use some feedback, Thanks

This person writes- If I had an EF of 40 to 45 %, I certainly wouldn't go for weight training. This type of exercise is anaerobic and overworks the heart in quick short bursts. Thats the kind of exercise which can certainly bring about arrhythmia. The best exercise is aerobic which is heart/circulatory system aligned. With an EF of 40 to 45% you don't want to overdo exercise either. If you work your heart too hard, then you could initiate enlargement of the chambers making it even weaker over time.

I've been weight training for 50+ years. Had an echo last year and was told I have a slightly enlarged heart. please, any thoughts. Thanks

more on weights

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-31 09:05:14

Here is a longer reply to someone who was told to limit weights on another post


weights
Comment posted by TraceyE on 2013-05-23 10:48.
For every dr who says we should not lift weights, there is another one (or 2 or 3!) who says go for it. There are no studies or long term evidence either way because there aren't enough of us out here. Some drs have a valid reason for telling us to hold back, usually other health conditions or placement of the pm. If it's right under the clavicle, it's possible to pinch the wires so lifting heavy is a bad idea. Other times, I think it's a cya world so when they don't know for sure it's safe, they say no. Or, they have mostly sedentary patients so when they get an active one they automatically say no. I've also noticed active drs tend to be more supportive of patients who want to be active. I would ask again why they told you no.

Why did you get your pm? If your heart is otherwise healthy and the pm fixes your problem and your dr has cleared you for exercise, you should be able to run and do whatever you want.

As for weights, there are mixed opinions. My dr says no limitations, do whatever I want. Some say no weights over shoulder level. Some say no heavy weights over shoulder level. Some say no hanging from the bar (pull ups, etc). I know of one person through here who damaged leads by lifting weights. I know of many many more, myself included, who lift regularly and have never had a problem.

I got my first pm in 1994. I started Crossfit a little over 2 years ago expecting my cardiologist to have a cow but he laughed and said have fun. The workout is different every day. This morning we did sprints, box jumps and power cleans. Did I risk my leads by cleaning the bar? I don't think so. My pm is lower and buried so the bar doesn't sit on the leads. The leads are usually too long, rather than shorten them they coil the extra and put it behind the pm so there is slack. The pm itself is titanium. I believe my dr when he says I'm not going to hurt it. I believe my St Judes rep when he says the same thing. I've been with him since my first surgery and he sees more young active patients than my dr does.

What it comes down to is choice. No one has a crystal ball so all we can do is our best guess. Get the facts, find out why they've cautioned you against weights. Decide how much risk you can live with, then decide what's right for you. For myself, I truly don't think I'm taking a chance but I enjoy it so much and it makes me feel good so if they told me it was a risk, I'd probably keep doing what I'm doing and not worry about it. ymmv, of course :)

Re: Weight Training

by patvl246 - 2013-05-31 09:05:52

Hi Tracey, Doc never gave me a specific reason for the EF number. Then again a lot of times I go blank when he's talking. I know I should be paying attention, but most of the time I find myself wondering what the hell is this guy talking about. He took me off the Toprol because he said it was slowing my heart even more. He prescribed Isosorbide, that lasted one day. It made me even more lightheaded. Then he prescribes Ramipril 5mg, after a week, I had cough, scratchy throat, red blotchy face and increased dizziness. Now I've been on Losartan Potassium for the last two days, and so far no side effects. Starting to feel like his science project. I do remember the nurse at hospital saying my plumbing is not the problem, so I guess it's the electrics. I think I'm going to get a second opinion, I'm checking for another EP doc. I'll keep you posted if I get any different news. Thank you, Pat

So happy I found this post

by trnugen - 2013-05-31 10:05:38

I am so relieved to read this post! And now even happier to get back to it! I'm post 2 weeks PM placement and walked at 4.0mph daily for 2 miles this week. I can't wait to get back out there!!! Have a great day, Make it a good one!

jeez

by Tracey_E - 2013-05-31 11:05:23

Sounds like he's throwing stuff at the wall, hoping something will stick.Definitely get another opinion. I'm wary of drs who just throw prescriptions at us. Do you have a spouse/friend/family member who can go along when you get another opinion? Two brains will absorb more than one. This stuff can be overwhelming!

Re: Weight Training

by patvl246 - 2013-06-01 09:06:57

Hi Tracey, Think you right about that, I've got to have someone else with me on the next visit. Found another EP doc on castleconnelly.com, he's in my area of northern NJ and he's got an excellent rating. I'll have to wait until Monday to find out how far out I'll have to wait for an appointment. Thanks

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.