Exercise Intolerance

I had my pacemaker operation July 15th after episodes of fainting and a diagnosis of 3rd degree heart block and right bundle branch. For the past several months I haven't been pacing at all, or very little (less than 1%). The main problem that I'm experiencing now is difficulty exercising consistently. Sometimes I can run on my treadmill at a 12 min per mile pace without any problem, but other times, it's really difficult to get my heart rate up and I have to go slower. Also, there have been several instances in the past couple of months when exercise causes tachyachardia. I used to be a marathoner so it's frustrating not to be able to do even moderate exercise without my heart protesting. Anyone else have trouble with exercise with right bundle

6 Comments

What about meds?

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-04 02:01:24

You didn't mention what medications you're taking. What kind and when. I have to be consistent about taking my meds as they affect my heart rate during exercise.

You wouldn't think missing or taking my PM meds late would affect my AM exercise especially after taking my AM medications but they do. So I have to be sure to hit my target time for both AM and PM to make sure my heart rate remains consistent during exercise.

Theknotguy

Exercising

by golden_snitch - 2014-01-04 03:01:39

Hi!

The right bundle branch block, whether complete or incomplete, is something many (healthy) people have. Mine is incomplete. RBBB does not cause any symptoms. Therefore, this is not an indication for the pacemaker, and should not cause any problems when exercising.

"RBBB is itself a benign condition that requires no treatment. However, if you are found to have RBBB, you should talk with your doctor about performing a screening evaluation for underlying heart or lung disease. If none is found, then your RBBB can be written off as an incidental finding with no medical significance." (http://heartdisease.about.com/od/bundlebranchblock/a/Right-Bundle-Branch-Block-Rbbb.htm)

The intermittent third degree heart block should not be interfering with your ability to exercise, either, since the pacemaker is taking care of that.
Heart block patients usually do not need the pacemaker's rate response function - that adjusts the heart rate to your level of activity - switched on, because their sinus node still dictates the pace very well. All the pacer has to do, is to track that pace, and make sure that the ventricles are beating at the same pace.
However, if you have times when you cannot get your heart rate up, it sounds like your sinus node might be a little too slow sometimes. So, the activitation of the rate response feature could help.

Good luck!

Inga

Thank you for your comments

by HoneyBadger - 2014-01-04 05:01:05

I'm not on any meds and the pacemaker is set at 30 and upper limit is turned off because it was deemed unnecessary. The dr also thought I didn't need the rate response set on and it made me more anxious, however perhaps it would help now. I had an echocardiogram before my implant and the heart was normal except for electrical blockage. I will see the cardiologist soon to rule out any other problems.

Thanks for your comments.

Treadmill

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-04 10:01:17

Ask them to do a stress test with the pm computer hooked up. Theycanwatch and see what is happening when you run and adjust accordingly. If your rate isn't going up, sounds like turning rate response back on might be helpful.

Thank you all!

by HoneyBadger - 2014-01-05 02:01:31

Thank you all, I will discuss with dr. As much as I didn't like rate response, maybe I need it now!

Many thanks for responses! This support group has been a wonderful resource.

A happy and healthy new year to you all!

rate response

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-06 09:01:05

It has a lot of settings to fine tune it so just because you didn't feel well on it before doesn't mean they can't adjust it now so you can run.

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.