Pacemaker settings for swimming after 6 weeks off

  I also have questions about my Pacemaker settings prior to swimming again. I was told in my first follow-up appointment that my settings were 130 and 60 BPM. During the last 6 weeks I have been walking at a fast pace for 5 to 6 miles at a time and I do not feel winded at all. I quit ether because I run out of time, get bored, or my legs get sore. All I did for exercise  6 years prior to the Pacemaker implant was swim.

  Now that I am ready to start swimming again, probably later this week, I am wondering if a high setting of 130 BPM is appropriate for me. I understand that a Pacemaker only increases my heartbeat, so what will happen if I reach 130 BPM as I am swimming and the Pacemaker stops pacing?

  Additionally, I feel like I should have a lot of questions regarding the various settings that my Pacemaker has related to endurance exercising, does anyone have any insight into what I should ask, or request of my physicians? 

 

2 Comments

Pacemaker Settings

by WazzA - 2020-01-13 09:40:06

Hi Johnny63,

I too am looking to take up Swimming again & have been advised to go ahead but NOT to over exert as it is a very easy thing to get carried away when immersed in water due to wheight being taken off the body ! I have a St Jude Dual Chamber & have had my DDDR mode swithched to DDIR mode  ( there are others, it seems there's more to it than just upper & lower rates). EP's can set the pacemaker to inhibit certain beats when they occur & even delay when a pacemaker pulses. Your mode should be on your paperwork most likely DDDR. Here is a link that might help you understand more.    https://www.ecgmedicaltraining.com/the-basics-of-paced-rhythms-part-1/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-lMhDQTq7w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGs9Db3wFKg

Good plan

by Johnny63 - 2020-01-13 17:36:46

Yeah, I am new, so I was posting to the General forum and the exercise forum. Thanks for the advice. 

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