Exercise questions

I put this message under General Messages because I need an answer pretty quickly. I went yesterday to " a personal trainer" yesterday for the first time since my pacemaker. I have been riding my exercise bike at home and doing exercises like bicep curls , step up , triceps. Also do some stuff on my bed for back and my bum knees. I have my rate response turned off. First because the bumpy road I was having to drive over made me feel bad. Now, I want it back on, but since I now have afib they won't do it! I have sick sinus syndrome. So, yesterday when we did almost the whole hour standing up I felt a little light headed. I think because my heart will not get up very high. Oh I forgot to say I am on a beta blocker. If I ride my bike for say 30 min with pretty high pressure I can maybe get my heart rate to 90! It usually runs in low sixtys just walks ng around then falls back to 60 while sitting.This is because of the beta blockers. So, should I tell her I need to rest more or ... less intense. I was beat when I stopped. Didn't think I was that bad of shape! Was shaky driving home. One more question, she had me doing things with my arms over my head like knowing e modified jumping jacks. ( no jumping) . Can we really put our arm over our heads. Are things like pull downs ok??By the way, we are building a pool!! Yea!! Can I do my normal free style stroke or will that pull leads?? Dr says I have no restrictions! ( But did not explain) Thanks for the help in advance!! Your friend, Ileen

6 Comments

Go for it

by Gotrhythm - 2018-05-31 13:17:40

For a while after I started cardiac rehab I'd come home so tired I could hardly move! I took it as a sign that I really needed it.

Yes, you really can raise your arms over your head. Your doctor has said you have no restrictions on your physical ativity. I think that probably means no restrictions. Having a pacemaker doesn't keep you from doing what any ordinary person could do.

At this point in your healing, your leads are completely scarred over and you couldn't pull them out if you wanted to. It would take surgery to get them out, and even that is very difficult. So reach high as often as you want to. And enjoy all the benefits of your new pool.

About rate response: I don't have Afib, don't know much about it, but if I were told I couldn't have RR turned on because of Afib, I'd want to know why. What harm would getting your heartrate high enough to support moderate activity do?

exercise

by Tracey_E - 2018-05-31 14:23:42

Ask again about rate response! If you are exercising and your rate isn't going up, then you need it on. Know that it may not help on a bike. 

If you are getting lightheaded, pull back a bit or work in some breaks.After years of daily hard workouts I still take regular breaks to breath and get my rate down. My coaches expect it now. 

Yep, you can raise your arms. You can do pull ups and push ups and weights overhead and swim. Ease into it and use common sense, back off if it doesn't feel right, but no restrictions means do what you want. My exact instructions from my doc were don't do anything stupid. (he's been my doc for 20 years, I may have a bit of a reputation around the office lol)

YOU Da best

by Ileen - 2018-05-31 19:39:55

Thank you all for your sage advice! I have messaged you all! I am getting more sore as the day goes on. Mostly lower back and shoulders and neck. Not used to raising arms for ( almost 2 years!) haha! Thank you again! I will try her again, but we are going to our clubhouse gym to workout and no Lunges for me! ( back does not like them) That place is small but it will be Air Condiitioned!!! At least! All the best! Hugs~ Ileen

 

No problem (for me )

by jeffp - 2018-06-01 17:51:34

I work out 3 times a week with a trainer he works me real hard and heart rate stay normal as it did any time before. Would defently talk to the doctor every person is differnt .

 

Beta blocker

by tedd - 2018-06-03 19:51:35

Beta blockers can be related to bradycardia.

my doctor discontinued 2 Beta blockers.

Talk it over with your cardiologist and maybe read up on their side effects. 

It may a factor in his prescribing meds for you.

 

Check the settings

by Thegirlparaglider - 2018-06-05 03:50:38

Hi

I am very active too so when my PM was first set up, they set it to match my max heart rate when exercising. If my heart rate naturally goes up to 185 when exercising, the PM will ensure the lower chamber matches the rate. This was a big change as in the operating theatre they had set the lower chamber to trigger at a max of 60.

I have had my PM 4 weeks and last week ride in a race of 110 miles. I had no issues with my PM... I felt it kick in at the end after the race bit otherwise no issues exercising at all.

First PM check next week so I will see how it has been responding to exercise.

Beat of luck and great to see you living life to the full 

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I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.