Roadrunning

Running

by AgentX86 - 2024-06-01 17:36:48

I don't believe you answered the questions about your settings.  Primarily, "Do you have Rate Reponse turned on". Without an answer to this, it's impossible to answer any of your qestions regarding execise and your pacemaker.  If you did answer, I apologize. I quickly looked back and didn't see it.

If it's not turned on, there should be no difference from how you performed before.  If it is turned on, you need to have the settings tuned for your lifestyle, as good as possible. It's often a tradeoff between activities.

Other than possible settings and performance, there is no reason you can't run on the road. Your activities are pretty much limited to what you can handle (though no full contact sports).

road running

by light - 2024-06-02 06:04:35

2 to 1 block dual pacemaker fitted 8 weeks ago age 60 was strength training 3 times a week prior. Pacemaker was checked at 6 weeks Rate Response is turned off limits are 5o and 150 for pacemaker. On cardiologists advice I have started running (aerobic no weights)  Over the weeks I am now running 3 miles on 3 days a week.  The runs are very slow and controlled. The breathing is hard compared to 8 years ago.  My heart rate spikes very quickly to 130 or 140 bpm and usually settles at 110-115 with Slow running. On Friday last my heart rate stayed high 130 for half run and when dropped to 90 I felt block on four occasions (I had to walk for these periods) I was able to jogg for the last half mile without any issues.  This is the first day in 3 weeks that I have experienced these symptoms. Can anyone shed light on what is happening ie is pacemaker not able to perform with running. Day to day I have no issues.  All the cardiologists were pushing aerobic exercise.

Running

by Xtrabeat - 2024-06-02 06:35:04

Do you know if you are being paced when you exercise or do you remain in your own intrinsic rythm? I have had (am having) a lot of  difficutlues with this after having had a pacemaker installled 6 months ago and despite  multiple adjustments. I find I am fine until the pacemker kicks in  - usually when my rate goes above 105 - and then really can't continue other than very slowly. I have no idea what the problem is - it's as if my output has suddenly fallen. I note you only got your PM 8 weeks ago so there may still be settling in period - but probaly worth discussing this with your EP. 

road running

by light - 2024-06-02 09:44:19

I dont know if I am being paced. Before pacemaker I would not have been able to run (even slowly)  I can only run slow now  when I start striding problems arise with heart rate and breathing.  Friday last was first day I had to stop with block symptoms.

PMs are goo

by piglet22 - 2024-06-02 09:56:20

Pacemakers are remarkable devices and are improving all the time.

Life with heart block is never going to be easy and sometimes you get a problem that is hard to fix.

As the others have said, there's no physical reason not to continue as normal, bearing in mind the limitations on leads and implanted devices which is plain common sense.

I'm sure that many people do all sorts of activities and you just learn to adapt.

Your clinicians can do a lot of tweaking from any default settings.

However, this can be frustrating to achieve in practice with restraints on time and resources.

A lot depends on your team. A sympathetic clinician might take an interest in any specific needs, others won't.

The UK situation, or at least in my health trust, could mean a long wait.

With the wisdom of hindsight, it's better to include your needs or questions before they start, but I'm willing to bet that it doesn't happen too often.

2:1 Block

by AgentX86 - 2024-06-02 16:54:26

If a 2:1 AV block  is your only problem, you should be back to a completely normal life as soon as you can build back up to it. And AV block is the easiest problem for a pacemaker to fix.  All it's doing is wiring around your AV node.  Other than that jumper cable, nothing else has changed. Your natural pacemaker is in control, up to the maximum tracking rate (you said 150bpm). You may need to have that raised to get back everything.  Your EP is probably being conservative until things settle down. They usually are.

If you hit the max racking rate, you will feel like you just hit a brick wall.  Your heart rate may go from 150, down to a 2:1 block (75bpm). It's not going to be fun if you're running at the time.