ICD & Running

Hi, in my 5th week of running after the normal 7 week ICD implant healing phase. I am also on beta blockers (sotalol 80mg 2x per day). Former competitive runner, cyclist etc. Had a sustained vtach episode. Cause still unknown. Anyways, so back to running, but I am much slower than before..probably due to the layoff and probably the beta blockers. My settings are set really high on my ICD. I wear a HRM too, just to monitor my heart rate. Who else has an ICD and has been running since the implant? What is your underlying condition?

I am up to about 3.5 miles 4x per week and pretty pleased. I am hoping to increase the miles to at least 4 or so. Thoughts?

Natasha

3 Comments

Running

by BRANDON - 2014-07-12 09:07:49

I am 6 months in to my first pacemaker. 30 year old male.
I am on carvedilol and metropolol. I never stopped being active throughout. But what used to be six and seven minute mile paces for 5 mile runs are now eight minute paces. The beta blockers take my top end away. My heart rate never gets above 140. Endurance is also sapped. Just happy I can still go try my best anyway.

thoughts

by 06kj - 2014-07-16 09:07:05

Wow! You are doing great.
I had unknown vtach as well which lead to my heart stopping. I've had my ICD for 2 years now and still have not been able to get back. My reads say I've hit 233bpm nonsustained during intense activity. I can only do this in spurts though. I still haven't ran more than a couple miles since my ICD. More betablockers mean my HR stays lower so my ICD won't be as likely to shock me, but they kill me speed and endurance.

Keep up the good work! How old are you btw?

Running

by natlat - 2014-07-17 10:07:57

Hi, not sure if you are asking me or Brandon, but I am 39 and what used to be 9 min miles is now 10:40 - 11:30 min miles. It's definitely the beta blockers. On humid days, it's in the 11:00 range. Some days my legs feel better than others. I am just so happy to be out there though! The betas are protecting me from getting shocked and I also have difficulty getting my heart rate over 140. Hills are tough, but I try! I am trying to get my cardiologist to tweek my dosage slightly, we are still unclear what I have, I also have an unknown vtach, scarring that they are not clear the cause of. I would just get out there and not worry about speed.

Anyone else on beta blocker? I am on sotalol. Do you think it's possible to get a little faster?

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A pacemaker completely solved my problem. In fact, it was implanted just 7 weeks ago and I ran a race today, placed first in my age group.