doing chest exercise after get pacemaker

Does anyone have a pacemaker implanted beneath the pectoral muscle that can comment on how it has affected the ability to lift weights, carry a backpack, and in general how it affects a very active lifestyle? It is going to happen and now I'm just trying to prepare myself. My condition is relatively asymptomatic but my ejection fraction is low and I have familial problems. Can one do dumb bell flies, pushups, etc?

4 Comments

exercise

by Tracey_E - 2016-05-04 01:05:46

Having it under the pectoral should make it easier to do whatever you want because it's more out of the way than the traditional placement. That's where mine is and I do Crossfit, so weights, pull ups, push ups, etc.

exercises

by Good Dog - 2016-05-04 10:05:50

Before contracting arthritis I was doing 300 push-ups every morning along with dumbbell arm curls, and crunches for over ten years. There is very little that I didn't do over the period of 30 years I have had my PM. Within 6 months of the initial implant I was playing very competitive basketball and baseball. I've never had a problem. I have one lead that is original (30+ years). The other was replaced due to a recall. So, I've had no problems.
There is some reason for concern if you are doing repetitive lifting with very heavy weights (i.e. body building) that causes a lot of flexing and very heavy pressure concentrated on one area of a lead(s). There have been some documented lead fractures as a result.
However, regular exercising is recommended. Carrying a backpack is fine. If it is directly on and irritates your PM site you simply adjust it so that it doesn't.
Just go out and live your life. Not to worry..............

Flexing Muscle

by valley01 - 2016-05-04 11:05:37

My PM is not under the pectoral muscle but it hasn't affected me too much as I am very active at the gym - except I noticed that I can not "flex" my left arm. My left arm muscle is the same as right when I am lifting weights but when I try to flex my left arm my bicep muscle does nothing. I'm not sure why that is but I really don't go around flexing my biceps all day so it doesn't really matter. Just a crazy observation.

Sub-Pectoral

by PeteFindlay - 2016-05-05 11:05:56

Mine is under the muscle - no limitations whatsoever. CrossFit 5-6 times a week. Chest will ache a bit for the first couple of months while you get used to it, but that's all. Just work up steadily, and make sure you have full range of motion before adding weight.

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.