Martial Arts & Pacemakers

Hi everyone.

I've read in quite a few forums about people asking if they can do or can continue to do martial arts once they have pacemakers and the answers and comments that have been posted that it differs depending on the GP or Doctor.

I have always been a fan of martial arts and have always been keen to learn, not only for exercise but also for self defence, as, lets face it, the world has gotten dangerous and every advantage taken now will benefit later on.

But, as expected, I have a pacemaker, had one since I was 10 weeks old. I'm 22 now and really need to become fit an healthy, but by doing something that interests me rather then bore me. But my question is: am I able to learn Martial Arts with a pacemaker?

Sure, I won't be able to spar or learn certain aspects that involve full contact, but surely, those with pacemakers should be able to learn how to defend themselves? No sense in being left defenceless and without skills to protect ones self is there?

6 Comments

go for it

by Tracey_E - 2014-03-31 01:03:41

As long as your doc has cleared you for exercise and you're careful about sparring, have fun! You are so right that it's a lot easier to stay fit when we are having fun. Nothing is going to get dislodged at this point, even with sparring. Worst case is you get a nasty bruise and it hurts. The pm is titanium, it'll survive just about anything.

Mumknowsbest

by Mumknowsbest - 2014-03-31 07:03:12

I was told that contact sports were ou in case something got dislodged, but as yours has been in situ for so long may not apply

Thanks

by LTaukiri - 2014-04-01 10:04:14

Thanks for the comments, yeah that's what I thought too about it being in for so long, cause all the postings I've read about martial arts and pms come from those that have only had it in for a certain amount of time as opposed to their whole life. But heres hoping though. :)

Mixed messages

by FighterGirlxx - 2014-04-02 06:04:59

Hi there,

I too have often wondered about this - and have always had very different responses from both 'pacers' like ourselves and doctors. Basically I think what TraceyE said - if your doctor has cleared you then doing something Martial Arts based should be okay, provided you take reasonable steps to protect your box and wire as much as possible.

Learning how to defend yourself, when people are aware that they must be careful of certain things (eg maybe not throwing you by your left side or hitting/kicking your upper chest area etcetera etcetera) might be fine, but full on practice/sparring might be a different ball game. Depends on the martial arts too - at the end of the day, you know your personal situation the best, how you feel, and what your doctor said. Ultimately it is down to how you are feeling about it, your doctors, and whether the Martial Arts place you go, is happy for you to participate (only fair to them you are upfront about it).

I hope for your sake that you have better luck than me in pursuing this (already gone through one wire and clots) and wish you well. We only have 1 life so best to enjoy, and exercise that is boring does most definitely suck! I really hope it works out for you :)

Choose your martial art wisely

by talldave - 2014-04-25 04:04:14

Hi,
I have an AV Block III and have been partially paced since 2010. So I have been practicing Krav Maga and Escrima before and after I got my PM. It works fine and I have never had any problems.

Having said that my PM is implanted BELOW the muscle and not above it. This gives me some added "padding".

My doctor told me I should only be careful when I have my arms on my back (for instance if someone pulled your arms from behind in some kind of self defense scenario maybe), but this has never happened. The pacemaker itself will withstand a much stronger force than your ribcage, so if you ever get hit hard enough to break your pacemaker you might have a really bad injury anyhow.

I do sparring and I have never had a problem, although I have been hit right on the PM a few times. It does hurt!

I think it all also comes down to having reliable training partners. If you feel uncomfortable telling them you have a PM, just tell them that this side of your chest has recently been "injured" and they will be trying not to hit it. It worked well for me.



Adapting

by Dawnie - 2014-05-01 09:05:45

I've just had my 1st pacemaker fitted 2weeks ago and am really keen to get back into the dojo. I practice karate and miss it terribly at min. My consultants advice was to wait a minimum of 4 months and go back with caution. I'm gonna try and source a chest guard that will protect the device and try and learn to block any punches a little faster :) I'm keen to try and get some normality back and think that
With a few adjustments in training..sparring etc it should work hopefully.

You know you're wired when...

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Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.