New pacemaker

Hi all

I am due for an ablation and pacemaker implantation shortly in January. I have been in aikido for 23 years, and generally in sport (not elite!). My evaluations took place over the last couple of years, some symptoms arising early 2012 where on exertion I would tire and need to rest. I seem to be ok with weight training and low exertion cardiovascular activities, but when the pace steps up beyond a certain level, I may not cope and have to rest.

My cardiologist warns me against "getting struck" in aikido, I have explained it is a non competitive style and because I have been involved for a long time, I know what to expect generally and can avoid this happening, and I should be able to warn training partners in advance anyway. My concern would be the pressures and torques experienced during training (ukemi, falling, etc etc) and pulling on leads, although they should be bedded in after post op rest time. He is also concerned eg, with chest press, but I think he means accidental dropping of weights and impact which might crush the leads. Gin it would be controlled, this would be unlikely. I also like swimming, have also been dancing salsa for a long time.

I am hoping this implantation will be successful and the I won't experience "incapacitation" anymore when exertion demand steps up.

Any comments welcome. This is a big unknown for me going forward!

Regards

Peter GB

4 Comments

A decision to make

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-01 10:01:20

Look at posts on this forum. We have several members doing all sorts of physical activity. Just recently corresponded with one who had done sky diving post PM. She took it as a calculated risk. We've got another member who is doing weight lifting and several have trained for and have run marathons. Others have taken up swimming although not competitively. So the decision for you is if you want to go ahead with the sport.

Another thing is the ablation. They're messing around with your heart and it may take it a little longer get back to normal. You may also experience some adjustment by your heart while it heals. I'd stay out of strenuous exercise until your heart gets back to a "normal" level. If they have you doing rehab, listen to the nurses there. They are a wealth of information.

I'd also wait at least 90 days for the body to grow around the PM and the leads. OSU tells people they can resume "normal" activity after 30 days. But that isn't strenuous activity. Danger being you damage the leads more than damaging the PM as it's in a titanium case. Also there are newer leads made by Medtronics that can take more stress. You can ask pre-implant if you will have the stronger leads.

They had me doing stretches at about 70 days and I was getting a lot of pressure and pain on the PM site. So I had to switch to alternate stretches.

Mostly just mild exercise for the first four weeks. The second four weeks you can do mild exercise with light weights. After 60 days you can do stretching.

What I don't know is how the ablation will affect the overall situation. I didn't have the ablation, just the PM so ablation may affect your overall time.

When you look at the overall situation, 90 days isn't a long time to wait. Jumping in ahead of time and pushing could have some adverse effects. I'd take it easy until it feels right. You'll know when that is. Caution is the watchword.

Hang in there. Life gets better.

Theknotguy

TheKnotGuy, Tracey, Ian

by PeterUK - 2014-01-02 07:01:25

Dear all

Thanks very much for the tips!

Best regards

Peter

Activity

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-02 10:01:37

This comes up all the time so there are many discussions in the archives. Some drs are more conservative than others. Most drs have few if any other active paced patients so they may give warnings that are more guesses than facts. My dr is fairly liberal, told me to live my life and not worry about the pm. Next year will be my 20th year paced. I've never held back, never had a problem. I do crossfit so regularly do push ups, pull ups, presses and other lifts with a barbell, all sorts of moves with kettle bells, lots of cardio.

A direct hit is not going to damage the pm, it's titanium. It will bruise and hurt like heck, but very unlikely it will do damage. Leads are flexible and durable, intended to move with us. Once the scar tissue grows around them, it takes a laser to get them out. Normally we are warned against full contact sports including martial arts but It sounds like you know what you are doing with aikido so there should be minimal risk.

This is just my opinion, but life is short and I intend to live it to the fullest. I don't do anything crazy but I'm ok with a small risk. I don't feel anything I do is that risky though I'm sure some will disagree. I won't let the pm keep me on the sidelines. Imo, one of the biggest risks to our heart is not being fit so exercise is a priority for me.

Some surgeons place it right under the skin, just under the collarbone. Ask about placement. Since you are active, you may find it more comfortable to have it a little lower and a little deeper so it is more protected.

Hi Peter

by IAN MC - 2014-01-02 12:01:46

I had an ablation and a PM ; just to answer the point raised by Theknotguy , having an ablation does not add to your recovery time in terms of being able to exercise ; I was running within a few days. I then had a PM fitted and it took me 3 weeks before I was running, about 6 weeks for tennis and 8 weeks for golf

( by the way , I have Private Messaged you as I see that you have worked in the UK Pharmaceutical Industry; as did I )

Cheers

Ian

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It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.