Is Yoga safe for people with pacers?

Yikes

by Joe Newbie - 2020-01-06 21:04:39

You won't catch me grabbing anything where I have to stretch my left arm. I'll raise it up as high as it will go but no stretching past that point. My Sis-in-law does that Yoga stuff, I think there are a few that don't require your arms stretching halfway across the room.

Hell, if a bad guy with a gun or a cop says raise your hands or stick em up. I'd be like "I have a pacemaker so that's out of the question."

Yes, it's safe.

by crustyg - 2020-01-07 02:51:51

Once you're a few months post implant (and you're 12months+) it's fine.  You can certainly feel some stretching around the pocket, but it shouldn't be painful.  You don't need to worry about dislodging your internal leads.

Maintaining flexibility is really important, even in one so young, so sign up and enjoy!  I wish I'd started Pilates and Yoga a decade ago, but two years of Pilates and nearly a year of Yoga is a good second best.

yoga

by Tracey_E - 2020-01-07 09:30:56

It's perfectly safe. It's possible that some positions may feel uncomfortable at first. If that happens, back off and try again in a week or two. You won't do any damage to the pacer but it's possible to aggravate the scar tissue. 

Joe, not raising the arm is only for the first few weeks. After that you should be able to move your arm normally. 

Yes to yoga

by Gotrhythm - 2020-01-07 13:13:24

I have practiced yoga for the last 30 plus years. Both before an after getting a pacemaker. Joe Newbie is mistaken. I can state categorically that once you are healed up there is nothing about ANY yoga pose that will harm or interfere with your pacemaker or the leads.

As others have stated, you might experience some tightness in your arm and shoulder, but that isn't a sign anything is wrong. Yoga poses should be taken to the point of stretching but never to the point of pain. Listen to your body. If you have any actual pain, back off. Try the pose again the next day. You'll be surprised to see your flexibility has increased.

The best thing about yoga in my opinion is that there is no competition. You only do what you can do. And you will benefit from any amount you do.

joe

by ROBO Pop - 2020-01-08 20:14:55

Joe newbie's comments are a good example of how urban legends are perpetuated in support groups like this.

Now I honestly can't remember but I believe it was a UCLA study on leads that proved with no real doubt the concerns about early withdrawal of leads are unwarranted. The study indicated that the root cause of f lead failure was poor placement at install.

I can assure you the day after I had 3 new leads installed, my wife and I got a bit amorous and I was hanging from the chandelier getting a bit after it to no ill effect. Well I did have to replace an antique light

Yoga after PM

by MayanQ - 2020-01-12 22:49:29

Hi

I am a yoga instructor and have had three pacemakers over the last 9 years, the third one just over a week ago. To the best of my knowledge, most Yoga positions are generally okay but you have to be aware of your own body.
 

Although I am a senior now, my first PM was replaced after three and a half years after the atrial lead let go. I believe this happened because of tennis and doing too much plank pull ups and maybe too much weight lifting. I am very active and teach at the YMCA cardio classes, Pilates and yoga.

When they put in the second PM they sewed the leads to my chest. I quit doing push-ups, only did plank holds and dramatically reduced chaturanga poses. I also am very careful when I do upper body twists.

My third PM was due to the ventricle lead fracturing. I am not sure what caused this.

I am now in the healing stage so my activity is very limited at the moment. I am going to return to my yoga in about 3 months.  The only other change I plan to do is reduce the amount of weight I lift.

I would recommend that you speak with your cardiologist and he/she can okay yoga for you. Please let your yoga instructor know you have a PM. Stretch with care and do not do any pose that aggravates or causes your body pain.