Very new member

Hi all,
Joined 5 minutes ago....I'm a 62 year old male who has been running now for 27 years. 22 marathons, multiple biathlons and road racing through out the north east. I was diagnosed with atrial flutter and sinus bradycardia. Doc always told me I may need a pacemaker sometime in the future. The future is this Monday. Was wondering if any other runners wear a heart monitor post pacemaker installation. I'll drill the doctor on the subject, but I've always respected the advice from fellow runners.
Thanks.

9 Comments

keep runnin' rusty

by SLC - 2015-03-27 01:03:13

Hey Rusty!
I'm not exactly a runner, but I have walked/jogged 1/2 marathons for the past 14 years. I'm 56 and last March I had my PM put in and walked the 1/2 marathon 5 weeks later. My chest was still very sore so I didn't go fast at all. It took a long time for me to get over the soreness, probably 7 months all together. My Dr had a hard time getting the lead wires in my vein so I was very bruised and swollen. You won't damage yourself, you just may be sore, so take it easy for awhile. You'll come back into it! Good-luck!
slc

Monitor

by WillieG - 2015-03-27 02:03:27

Hi! I have found that the Polar FT7 with a chest strap works well for me and is accurate. I have a dual chamber Boston Scientific Advantio model since last June. I am also 62 and mainly bike many miles as well as walk and hike. Good luck with your surgery. I was biking in less than 2 weeks after mine!

no monitor

by Tracey_E - 2015-03-27 04:03:09

I run daily, but am way too slow and hate it too much to be called a runner ;oP

I've never been able to find a hrm that works for me. The monitor won't hurt the pm, but the pm can keep the monitor from working accurately. I finally gave up and now go by how I feel. If I can talk but not sing and I feel good, I assume my rate is fine.

Keep in mind that your rate is not going to be the same after you are paced. Some people get too caught up in the charts and where their target rate should be. Pm's don't really care about those charts. You should be able to do what you want and feel good while you do it, but your rate may not be the same when you exert as it is now.

The other reason to use a hrm or count pulse all the time is to check on the pm. It's totally normal to do this at first but try to resist the urge! You'll just make yourself crazy. If you feel good, it's working the way it's supposed to. Only count if something feels off.

Thanks Tracey

by rusty - 2015-03-27 08:03:01

If you lace up sneakers every day and get out for a run......you're a runner. Speed has nothing to do with performance.
Am getting anxious about the PM being implanted this Monday, but this forum has been a blessing.
If I do use a HRM, I'll get a model with alarms, to drive myself even crazier no doubt.
I do have some questions for my doc regarding high voltage yards, as I'm currently working in the electrical industry and am exposed to EMF's occasionally. Big learning curve.

EMF

by Tracey_E - 2015-03-27 09:03:53

My favorite workout shirt says "I RUN. I may be slower than a herd of turtles in peanut butter, but I run" Actually, I run/walk. The pacer doesn't slow me down at all, but I'm on a beta blocker which zaps my stamina.

Yes it is a big learning curve! Make it clear to your drs and your pacer rep up front that you want to know what's going on. Many patients don't ask questions so they can get in the habit of not talking much. I found that once they learned I had a basic understanding of my condition and that I really wanted to know, they were very forthcoming.

EMF is generally not a problem. Big magnets- industrial size not what you'd find in your home electronics- are the only thing we need to be careful of. I've had a pm for over 20 years now and in all that time I've never once found anything that interferes with it. I avoid the newer roller coasters with magnetic brakes and I was told not to tour the power plant. I toured the water treatment plant and went in the generator room. I felt fine and nothing showed up later on the pm report. I don't mess around near the metal detectors in stores, just walk through them quickly. I do the 3d scanners but not the metal detectors at the airport. That's it. The rest of the time I forget it's there. At first it seems like a whole new, scary world, but you learn pretty quickly that these things are tough, and they're well shielded. Nothing we do is going to hurt it. They're just a tool to get us back to feeling good.

Good luck Monday!!!! Most of us find the surgery is easier than we expected. Please check in and let us know how it went.

HRM

by wjs1954 - 2015-03-27 11:03:30

i have a Garmin works great with my Medtronics Advisa.
I know other have problem with Garmin not sure what type device 'brand you have. Also i have the older version strap. Keep running and biking maybe i will see you at a race or ride.
Wally Manchester CT.

Welcome to the club !!!

HRM

by rusty - 2015-03-27 12:03:16

Thanks Wally. I'm getting a dual chamber device unknown manufacturer at this point. I'll learn all about it when me and doc speak next time. I used to have a Garmin (very old school) with a finger cup. Will research this soon. Thanks for the input.

emf

by chasj - 2015-03-28 05:03:18

My first pm was a medtronics sure scan as in mri compatable. The first year with it I welded up a aluminum frame club car with a lot of broken places. I have 4 different welders and try to be careful with the leads. As of 3/25 I now have a non mri crt-d quadra asura that seemed to be the only answer to getting both sides pumping together so the doctors decided. I am just trying to adjust after the implant. My body doesn't like anything unnatural. At this point I'm keeping the welders but that is the least of my concerns. The tylenol bottle is on my mind.

monitor

by judyblue - 2015-03-29 03:03:47

I also use a Polar F something. It has a chest strap and watch receiver. It works very well. I found the company to be rather difficult, but I should not need them anymore. I have a dual lead Medtronic for about 1 1/2 years. I do not notice any interaction between monitor and pm.
Good luck to you and welcome! Keep running!!
judyblue

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