Exercise with pacemaker

I 'm getting ready for a second lead extraction in less than a year due to a ventricular lead fracture. I am concerned that some of my physical activities caused the fracture. I typically use a Nordic Track for 30 minutes and a rowing machine for 30 minutes 5 or six days per week. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? My Dr. can't give me a definite answer.

3 Comments

Rowing

by nonischemic - 2014-05-02 09:05:42

I'm really glad you posted this. I just had my 6 week post implant checkup and the Dr. released me from left arm restriction. There is a Rowing machine right next to the treadmill I use every morning that was going to be next on my list. I won't now.
Thanks again for the heads up.

Rowing

by Stash - 2014-05-02 12:05:11

Thank you, Inga. This is good information. Sounds like rowing is the culprit. Hopefully the Nordic Track is okay as I'm kind of hooked on that. I will ask my EP about the lead placement prior to the procedure.

Rowing

by golden_snitch - 2014-05-02 12:05:51

Hi!

I have been told that rowing puts some extra stress on the pacemaker leads, like other exercises with repetitive arm movements. Just googled, and found one article that supports this:

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-01-04/florida-jewish-journal/fl-jjps-exercise-0104-20120104_1_pacemakers-arm-wires

Also, in some people the leads get pinched in the subclavian vein between the collarbone and the first rib (subclavian crush). I would imagine that this can lead to quick damage of the leads, if that person in addition also does exercises involving lots of arm movement. Implanting the lead through the cephalic vein instead of subclavian can solve this problem of subclavian crush.

If you have had two fractured leads just within one year, and you do rowing everyday, I'd think that there is some connection between the activity and the lead damage. It's not normal to fracture two leads within such a short period of time.

Hope this helps a bit!

Inga

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A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.