5 days till CRT-d

Hi,

I'm new on here and from the UK. Scheduled for pacemaker op next week. Pretty fit, walk 5k a day bit of jogging and surfing, can do pretty much everything but EF won't budge over 30%. Diagnosed 7 months ago, had breathing issues and fluid on chest. All that went after 2 weeks of medication and no alcohol. Basically have chemo induced cardiomyopathy from treatment 38 years ago (I'm 46) and a LBBB (qrs 140). Main thing I'm worried about is after the op, could my wellbeing and fitness go backwards?

Thanks. Paul

2 Comments

You control that

by Theknotguy - 2018-02-16 10:34:21

I feel most of us with the pacemakers will tell you it's a matter of attitude.  If you feel the pacemaker will hold you back, it will.  If you feel it won't, it won't.

I can do everything I did before I had the pacemaker, plus.  I now have a  good heartbeat so I  can do things I wasn't able to do without a good heartbeat.  I don't feel my pacemaker is in any way a hindrance.  But it sure is a really big help.  

So after you get over the period of soreness after receiving the pacemaker and the initial adjustment, you should be able to go back up to the exercise routine you'd like to do.  

The cardio guys wanted me to do cardio.  But since you have to get your heart rate above 120 and the most I can get is 120,  I didn't do cardio.  But if I can wear the dogs out with my walking, I feel I'm doing OK.  Oh, and I get between 3 to 6 miles walking inside the hospital on the days I volunteer there.  So I'm doing OK.  

I feel everyone has that initial angst about getting the pacemaker and how it will affect their life.  But it usually isn't that bad.  

Hope everything goes well for you.

 

Not bothered by pacemaker

by Beaks - 2018-02-16 14:45:40

Thanks for the comments... im not actually that bothered with having the device implanted next week. More so looking forward to it. Quite like hospitals in a weird way too. I'm sure like you say 'thenotguy' nothing will change as I pretty much go mental everyday and don't stop, i'm full-on with everything. More of a hassle having to stop surfing for 6 weeks. As long as the surgeon doesn't accidently pierce a lung with the wires I'm all good!

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