Swimming

I just had a CRT-D implanted and I have been told not to swim alone but I have also been told not to swim. Could someone please enlighten me. Thanks KateCRT

5 Comments

swimming

by KateCRT - 2013-11-28 03:11:27

My implant is four days old! I was told not to exercise for 6 weeks except for walking because of fear of my electrodes being displaced. My op was 3.5 hours due to scarring. Swimming is my great love so I do want to get back to it. Thanks for your response and Happy Thanksgiving. I am in England and forgot it was the great day (I was just discharged today)

Swimming

by Beckes76 - 2013-11-28 03:11:47

I was told not to swimming until 1 month after the surgery. How long has it been?

Becky

A little longer

by Theknotguy - 2013-11-28 08:11:24

Maybe my doctor errs on the conservative size. I'm not allowed to lift my left elbow above my left shoulder or do heavy exercise for 90 days. Implant was 8-Oct so that will be 8-Jan before I can do any exercise like swimming.

Doctor said he really want the lead solidly in place before I start to do exercise.

I'm guessing they don't want you to swim alone for a while because you may have some other heart issues. If you go into a bad a-fib session while swimming you could pass out and drown before they could get to you.

Give yourself a little time. All too soon you'll be back to normal.

Theknotguy

swimming

by KateCRT - 2013-11-29 03:11:09

Thank you all for that. I'm sure what Inga said about the ICD is probably the reason for different advice. I will have a chat with my doctors when I go for review.

The ICD is the problem

by golden_snitch - 2013-11-29 03:11:30

Hi Kate!

Most of the ICD patients I know do not swim, at least not alone. This has nothing to do with the surgery and the leads, it's all about the ICD which could shock you. If you get a VT/VF episode while swimming, and the ICD shocks, you can lose consciousness and drown. It's as simple as that. Nevertheless, I think you should go swimming, if that's your great love. Just make sure that you are not alone, that someone's around who can react quickly. I don't mean to scare you. I guess my explanation is what the doctor had in mind when he told you not to go swimming.

This does not apply to pacemaker patients, only to ICD patients. Pacemaker patients can, of course, go swimming as soon as the leads have healed in.

Inga

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