Pacemaker Surgery and after the surgery

I was told in December 2017 I needed a pacemaker due to low heart-rate (33 bpm resting heart rate) and, after I wore a halter, it was found that my heart stops at night for about 5 seconds about 3 times during the night.  After being told that, I ran 91 races - mostly 5Ks - in 2018, finishing my last 5K for this year on Dec 24 in 35:15.  I have spinal arthritis, so I do 8 min run/2 min walk when I do these races and when I do my training runs, and I don't do distance running anymore.  I've been a runner for 35 years. I do have a heart A-Fib.  I have never gotten dizzy, never passed out, etc, and I feel like I am doing ok.  I did have a TIA episode in May 2018 and am on a blood thinner (xeralto) and celebrex for my arthritis.  My pacemaker surgery is now scheduled for January 8, 2019.  How long will it take me to get back to my normal running?  My doc who is doing the procedure told me I coiuld probably run in about 4 weeks. Also, will the pacemaker affect my pace?  I have never been a fast runner, lol, but I still would like to do about a 10 - 11 minute mile, and also do my weekly hill workout, I love doing hills.  Also, can I go back to work the same week of the surgery, cuz, really, I don't have the hours to take off work right now since I've had so many darn medical appointments this past year.  I work at a desk so it is not strenuous work, I am a researcher for a local university.  I do get excellent care as I am retired military and go to BAMC in San Antonio.   BTW, I am 64 years old and in fairly good shape - except for the heart A-fib and slow resting heart rate - as I run 5 days a week.   Thanks for any feedback and insights any of you can provide! 

1 Comments

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2018-12-27 22:21:52

You may be able to do the races, but if your heart rate is that low you are really stressing your organs. The pacer can only help your pace, who knows how much energy you'll have when your rate goes up appropriately?! 

If you have a desk job, and if you have flexibility if you don't feel up to working as quickly as expected, you should be able to go back the next week. Maybe do it on a Wed or Thurs then plan to go back on Monday. I felt pretty good overall but tired easily so I napped a lot those first few weeks. Everyone is different.

I was out walking the day I was released. Mine is under the pectoral, and (not an issue for guys) I'm female and not flat chested, so I didn't feel up to the impact of running for a couple of weeks. When I had my last replacement, they told me no getting sweaty for 4 weeks, not because of healing but because of infection risk. I thought that was overkill but infection is no joke and walking for a month instead of running and hitting the gym didn't kill me. 

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.