Distance swimming, and other arm exercises

Repetition Exercises

by Good Dog - 2016-06-25 20:09:46

I did between 300 & 400 pushups every morning along with other exercises for at least fifteen (15) years until arthritis made me stop. I have had my PM for 30 years and never a lead problem. I have one original lead and another that was implanted approx 20 years ago as a result of a recall on the other.

Thanks Good Dog

by RandomICD - 2016-06-26 01:03:51

300-400 push ups every morning?! I'm lucky if I can find the coffee! 

Anyway, I should have asked in the post how pace dependant everyone is. How dependant are you? 

Thanks

Repetition exercises.

by DampDog - 2016-06-26 05:06:33

Good to hear from someone who has had a device fitted for significat length of time. Unfortunately the same question doesn't always yeild the same answer when it comes to having a PM implanted, which is more than a little disconcerting, especially when it is all new and you have a head full of questions.

I asked a very similar question of my consultant and he pretty much warned me off any form of repetative chest/shoulder movement. Swimming, rowing, weights, even golf were things to be cautious of. I've started cardiac rehab and they said "no rowing." Now it would not surprise me if the advice has changed over time or that the advice is dependant on device type. I have a 3 lead CRT-D (March 2016) and as I understand it the left lead can be more problomatic.

It is definitely a question I will be asking again as to whether that advice was simply for the first few months while the leads heal or life-long advice. Though at the time I'm sure he said life-long.

It is annoying in that even consultants, and specialist don't appear to sing from the same hymn sheet. I know there are differences between the US & UK, but advice on all manner of things PM related varies more than I'd like.

DampDog

by RandomICD - 2016-06-26 05:43:21

 Thanks for your comment.

I didn't make it clear in my post, but I'm 31 years old and have had a pacemaker since my Fallots repair, which caused my complete heart block, before the age of two. I've had an ICD pacemaker combination since I was 18.

The reason for my uncertainty at the moment is due to the events of the last year. At this time my consultant first of all told me I could do distance swimming, then when the pacing wire fractured they told me distance swimming may have caused it. This is confusing because many have no problem with this and other extreme repetitive arm movements.

I'm interested to your comments about USA UK differences. What are these differences? 

Thanks again

Pacer DEpendent

by Good Dog - 2016-06-26 07:14:28

I assume that you figured that I have a dual lead medtronic PM. I have become more dependent over time since I received my PM at age 38. I was less than 50% at the time and am now about 80%. 

300 to 400 pushups may seem like a lot. However, when I first began doing them I couldn't complete 25 of them. In due time, you can accomplish anything you really want!

As far as the leads fracturing; everyone has an anatomy that is a little different. So the type of repetitive exercise relative to the location of the leads may certainly play a role. However, while it may not be wise, my attitude has always been to live my life as though I don't have a PM. I won't allow my PM to stand in the way of life fulfilling decisions. If a lead fractures, a lead fractures. Maybe I have just been lucky? I do understand your concerns though since you have already had one lead fracture. 

Wishing you the very best!

David

Differences?

by DampDog - 2016-06-26 12:25:46

I would say the main differences that I am aware of is the restriction on repetative movement. With attending cradiac rehab you bump into quite a few pacemaker recipients and just from chatting the advice does appear to have changed over time. A couple of chaps who have had devices implanted for a number of years initially had no real advice on movement other than don't do it if it causes pain. However the advice now seems to be avoid repetative movements involving the shoulder. So rowing, swimming, golf and heavy weights on the implant side. All those who have had a device within the last few years have been adviced to restrict "repetative" where possible.

I will definitely ask the question again. Personally I used to enjoy gentle jogging but as yet am a little too sore to get back into it. While have not been told absolutely not to, I have been advised to maybe consider alternatives.

It is confusing. I'm sure I read about a chap who'd just done a marathon to the top of Everest with a pacemaker. Though I suspect the advice may be different depending on device type or even manufacturer. None of it really helps when you are looking to do the "right thing"

Still shopping for the right answer!

by Elisabet - 2016-06-28 02:58:50

Before I got the pacemaker last year I had started rowing on a Concept 2 machine - and I loved it! (By the way it's nothing like the "rowing machine" exercise station, which is very different and not something I feel comfortable doing.) I've always hated the other cardio equipment but I liked the stretching built into rowing I guess. One of my first questions when I got the PM was about when I'd be able to row again. 

I've definitely been given mixed answers on this question. No one seems terribly certain and no one wants to give me the definitive go ahead; I think they'd all rather I just get on an exercise bike and leave them out of it. Only one has said no rowing and I argued a bit but honestly it was pretty low on my list of concerns, and he did back down on the absolutism when I pushed back. I wish I knew how much an issue rowing or swimming would actually be in my case. My intuition says it won't be a problem for me, but it would be for someone like my son who competes at a pretty high level and spends several hours a week on the water and several more on the machine. On the other hand my intuition was wrong when I didn't think I should go to the ER when it turned out I was having a stroke, so what do I know. 

I see my EP later this summer (he didn't put in the PM by the way) and this is on my question list.

It would be helpful to have a doctor who actually is familiar with rowing or who uses the C2 at the gym give me advice on this issue.

Rower

by Sarbear - 2016-06-28 12:35:21

Hello-I had a dual lead pm implanted about 5 months ago at 25.  I rowed through college and have been on a masters team since then.  My EP told me at 25 he'd rather see me take the risk and maybe need another surgery than to give up on something I really enjoy. I've been back to rowing about 2 months now with no problems so far, both on a rowing mahine and on water. I've also started training for a triathlon and the swimming is also going well.  I'm not pacer dependent-its just to stop me from passing out, so the risk isn't as drastic as someone who really depends on it-more of an inconvenience for me if something goes wrong.  

Elisabet and Sarbear,

by RandomICD - 2016-06-28 15:38:53

Thanks for your comments. It's good to read about different experiences.

Stand up paddle and kayak's

by Tommy1961 - 2016-08-09 10:08:51

Hey all! New to the site and very glad I found it. Recieved my ICD June 2016. Prior surgery I talked at length with my cardio about my level of activity, mountain hiking and mild climbing during winters in Arizona, but I absolutely love stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. He had no problems with those activities, but during the procedure the surgeon had difficulty placing the ICD as low as planned, apparently my upper body is extremely lean (been quite a few years since I've heard that!) and the natural fat pockets were not there, requiring them to split the fascia between the skin and muscle. So the unit sits quite high and bumps into my collarbone often, I'm not clear exactly where the lead enters my vein and now wonder just how much pressure rowing/paddling will put on the lead. My cardio has been referring me to my Biotronic tech for my questions and feel like they are not on the same page. Pre-implanting my Dr was all "forget you even have an ICD" and my tech is all about not doing most activities so I don't break or pull the lead out of position. Rather confusing and more than a bit frustrating. I think I'm caught between medical opinion and company policy. Guess I'll find out for myself in a few months! I'll keep you updated...