Swimming

Hi,
This is my first post.I had my P.M installed in March this year after some palpitations and very occasional dizzy spells.It has been an experience over the last 6 months and I'm finally getting into full swing with my exersize.I want to swim but am not sure about the risk of lead dislodgement or crushing.I am also confused as to the weather or not I should do weights.

Cheers
Pete

6 Comments

Exercising after 6 months

by Vai - 2007-09-04 01:09:37

Once you get used to life with the PM, it is generally an unseen help and you will hardly even remember its there. After 6 months, you would be able to resume most exercises except for contact sports (direct hits to the device). However it is still very much to use common sense to avoid certain extreme stretching movements using the muscles around the PM. On occasion, I have felt a dull ache when I overstretched "muscles" in some exercises or sports.
As for palpitations, please note the PM does not eliminate those palpitations. Sometimes exercise may trigger palpitations (like mine does) and I can get real uncomfortable for quite a while. Swimming is okay after 6 months but then my doctor advised me never to swim alone. The onset of palpitations, flutters and fibrillations can be quite debilitating.
Best of luck in your recovery.

HI

by Karen - 2007-09-04 05:09:15

They usually say wait 6 months. but I would check with your Dr. first. I went swimming for the first this summer and its been a few years since I had a pacemaker. My muscles were really sore afterwards.

I also lift weights up to 3 pounds.

You may find yourself a little weaker after the surgery so start out slowly and have someone with you incase you get to tired to fast. KarenR.

swimming

by jessie - 2007-09-04 09:09:51

i am a year now post pacemaker.we put a pool in in may and i have swam with no difficulty. i love swimming and i enjoy the water to no end. i grew up on a river and lake and was a water rat at a very young age when after you reached nine your mother let you go with your friends for the day. that would not happen to-day but back then in big families mom did not have time even tho she was not working outside the home there was lots of work to do inside. i also was in a small town so my brothers went as well and we looked out for one another. so hope this helps jessie

Lifting

by mhkitchens - 2007-09-04 11:09:56

I am also new at this being 3-1/2 weeks post op. I think in the last 3 weeks I have read almost every thread on this site (great information). From what I gather, you can lift weights but should stay away from strong military type presses. I plan to start lifting and golfing after 2 months. Make sure you talk with your doctor about your plans. Although, after 6 months it seems like everything would be firmly in place.

MH

Swimming

by fenix - 2007-09-15 05:09:46

My PM was installed 16 months ago. Nevertheless my electrophysiologist said I can swim within a couple of months, which I did.

Have been swimming this summer as well with no problems. No limitations. A week ago I did a triathlon - swim portion was 1,500 meters. No problems.

Also am lifting weights up to 40 lbs.
Al V

Swimming Work-Outs

by richan - 2008-05-03 08:05:49

Hi,
My Guidant PM joined me be back in March 2005. I remember having to wait a few months for both leads to "lock" in place. Then, I was allowed to start swimming. Range of motion has not been a problem. I reach as far as I can in front of me to maintain a long stroke. I can often feel the bulkiness of my PM and it sometimes feels like it is in the way. This PM has 2 modes that increase my heart rate: 1) motion sensor that works when I am up-right (walking/running) and 2) Minute Ventilator (breathing sensor). The motion one does not work at all for me - lying prone in the water. So, I think it is the MV that helps me with my swimming. I have had several visits with my pacemaker lady who has adjusted and re-adjusted my MV to get it to respond faster. I have been involved with Masters Swimming since the early 1970's. My post-PM struggles have to do with the limitations of: stroke, stroke, breath. I find myself hyperventilating as much as I can between sets and hyperventilating between send-offs during sets. Hypoxy sets are difficult. When the intervals are short, I'm OK for the first 3 or 4 of the set. Then, I'm a disaster! I won't stop swimming. Adjusting to this "change" is a challenge.
As far as weight lifting goes, I don't think there are any problems. I have been doing that on my non-swimming days because my body is loosing muscle mass kinda fast. I think I am slowing it down (realistically, probably can't stop it from happening).
I did do my best time post-PM for the 100 back at our recent state masters championship. I guess I should not complain. My top half is 100% dependant and my bottom half is currently 60% dependant on my PM. Hell, I'm going to turn 69 next month. I' really happy to be here.
Take good care of yourself and go after it!
Peace,
Richan

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