Skiing and Altitude??

Who has experienced ICD at altitude and skiing? I have a trip paid for in January with my family. I have been bike riding and lifting weights and yoga- but my ICD seems to be moving a lot- have gotten great support and ideas about the movement, now I have the altitude question. Wonder who has experience? Can you share with me please. Thanks
Grateful Girl

3 Comments

altitude

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-16 09:12:55

I have a pm for av block. I live at sea level, my parents live at 6500 in a ski town, we ski/hike up to 10,000. I got my first pm in 1994 so I've made more trips back and forth than I can count.

The devices themselves are not affected by the altitude but sometimes the underlying condition that caused us to need it may make us more sensitive. I tend to notice the altitude more than my family. I take it easy the first day and am super diligent with hydration, the second day I will be out enjoying the mountains.

I notice a huge difference in how quickly I adapt and how much stamina I have if I've been working out hard and often as opposed to the years I have been less diligent at the gym. I stepped it up and started Crossfit 2 years ago. This past summer I barely noticed the altitude even that first day. I took it easy and chugged water anyway, but I felt great and was rarin' to go. Can't wait to ski spring break!

No trouble at all

by gleesue - 2013-12-17 11:12:12

You know I've never had a problem with altitude. It all depends on how it affects you. You don't say how high you are going. We used to go out to Colorado to climb 14ers. We have done 5 of them. However, the last 5 times we have gone out to Colorado including a family reunion 2 years ago, when I came back down to sea level I have gone into A-fib and had to get cardioverted. I haven't been back to above 11,000 ft. since I got my PM but I want to go back for another 14er. My wife is giving me a bad time about that though.

I've been skiing in New York State however and have had no problems. It's a great sport.

Jerry

make sure the adapative sensore is on

by rsilver - 2013-12-30 03:12:08

I got my ICD about 6 months ago for 3 degree heart block. I have been short of breath since I got it but I was shot of breath before I got it. I live at 9800 altitude in colorado. Recently I had a job for 6 weeks at sea level. It was easier there for me but when I came back I had a hell of a time adjusting. I saw another cardiologist nearer to my home in the mountians and he turned ON the adaptive sensor. NIGHT AND DAY. I felt better almost immediately and have been skiing better than ever, I get out of breath but not SOB. However, My pacing rate is at 47% and he is concerned that the sensor will raise it and cause problems down the road. This is something I need to look into as I have read up and seen many recent studies linking long term pacing at high rates with HF down the road. I will post on that seperately because I cannot find anything on this site dealing with the long term effects of pacing. Anyway, It may or may not be a problem depending on how fit you are, and how well the pacemaker is programmed IMO.

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