Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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Question for the experienced exercisers

I am almost 5 weeks post M for 3rd degree heartblock. I know my PM settings are 50-130.

I have been exercising daily and today pushed it a little bit on the recumbent bike.For the past week I have been working at about 65 %-70% of my target heart rate (100-115) for 1 hour and barely break out in a sweat.

Today I primarily worked out at 70%THR and then pushed it to 75% (125) for a few minutes. What I noticed was that my heart rate began to drop down to 100, so I pedaled har...

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Safe for gym trainer to use??

I met with a trainer at my gym next week. They use a electronic fat caliper that measures your bmi by sending an electrical pulse through your upper body to measure fat.

No one at the gym knew if it was safe for someone with a pacemaker. They couldn't figure out how to measure bmi the old fashion way! Told me to come back next week after they looked into it. Anyone know if this will interfere with my pm?
Thanks!

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Exercise Physiology

I found this book through a google search and chapter 20 of this book focuses on pacemakers and ICD's and how the different settings, response systems affects the type of exercise you do and the intensity. It is a textbook that you can purchase, but if you can get to a library that carries it you can copy the pages to educate yourself on the challenges that may be involved with exercising with a pacemaker and may arm you with the info you need to present to your doctor to tweak your settings.

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Highest setting at 150 bpm?

Hi again All. I'm not allowed to exercise yet, but in two weeks I'll be ready to go back to the gym according to my doctor. My concern is my EP told me that the highest setting on my pm was 150 bpm. If it goes over 150 it will automatically drop to 70 bpm. Did I hear him right? That's a pretty big drop don't you think? What will happen if I hit 150 while on the treadmill or any other exercise? Will I pass out? Will I get dizzy? I was scared to push myself BEFORE my pm because of my slow...

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update

hello
I thought I'd post an updated for my 3rd year anniversary since I got my pm. At the time I was so overcome with panic and anxiety I was afraid I'd die(my medical situation was mild really, bradycardia).
Since then I have been able to run 2 half marathons, walk 4 more, run one full and paddles a canoe across Missouri in 3 days.
I'm figuring out my pm is a gift, not a curse.
this website was a gift from heaven. thanks to all who post and encourage.
Rusty

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Training, Training and more Training

Got another 60 or so miles in yesterday on the bike (2 days after what was a small blizzard here in Colorado, gotta love the weather out here). Finding I am beginning to plateau so it is time to start shifting my training a little to add more strength and core muscle building to just my aerobic riding.

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Strange thoughts entering...

my mind. I was all ready to golf this morning. I practiced yesterday and all was fine. I thought about playing 18 holes. I had no one to play with this morning so I would just go it alone. I've done this before the Pacer. This morning was different. A terrible dream last night-In short I was picked up with my mom by 2 murderers, 2 dead people in the back seat. I carry so I took care of both of the guys...gun control, yeah right! Anyway I thought 18 may be a bit much the first time so I figured 9...

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Running a marathon

hello,

i am a 34 yr old woman who got my pacemaker 2 yrs ago next month. It took about a year to start feeling normal again and then i took up running. I ran 5ks,5mi. and 2 half marathons last summer. This summer i am going to run my first marathon to raise funds for the adoption of our daughter.

I was wondering if anyone has done this and if there were any problems. My docs are a little concerned about dehydration and the heat. I had a little set back last week beca...

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Thanks

How come I can't figure out how to reply to replies? Do you just post a new message? This message is for Smitty who replied to my question about when to exercise after PM implant. Thanks and based on your reply, I'll go for my walk this afternoon. Kind of fun to have a PM Club.

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When to Exercise

I just got my pacemaker on Friday, March 19. I can walk upstairs and up a steep hill near my house without feeling like I'm going to die (yesterday, day 1). I was going to take a long walk today, but don't know when I should start getting back in shape. (I'm a former marathoner/hill bike rider that hasn't been able to do much for the past 3 months.) I've read some of your posts about working out, but I don't think anyone has said when to start.

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Wanting to Run!

Attention all PM recipients who run. I haven't run in years, not seriously at least. I wan to run a half marathon late this summer. I think that will give me enough time to recover, heal, & train. My PM went in on the 23rd. I need to hear from the runners, what is the best way to train? I need suggestions & encouragement! (lots of it)
Thanks~
Jessi

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newbie

I just received my pacemaker 2 days ago. I started a very intense exercise program back in November with a private trainer. I was overweight and out of shape and had not felt good for a very long time. I was determined to feel better. I lost 20 inches and was feeling much better but still having very irregular heart rates and some days could hardly do anything. I was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome and a pacemaker was recommended. Honestly, my biggest hesitation was the fact that I would miss...

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Training update

Yesterday I did my first big climb on my bike since my implant. Climbed Lookout Mountain outside of Golden, Colorado. 90-97% THMR most of the way (it is a steep, sustained climb of about 6 miles. Total Ride was about 30) and besides being slow did great. On pace for my ride in Colorado's Triple Bypass Ride in July. So for all of the newbies and folks out there wondering if there is life after pacemaker implants I can tell you I am working my tail off to a) get back in shape and b) prove to...

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one yea later

At age 69 I could walk on my hands 50yds (I was a gymnst), after the operation (ICD and pace) I started back in two weeks and had to have a wire replaced. O.K. now I can stand on my hands, but not yet walk. The operation I was told by my Dr. was optional, but I would live longer. I could always hear my heartbeat in my ear and it was ierreguylar; diagnosed as an enlarged ventrical, so I had it done and am now amazed at my heart's regularity. I used to walk/run a mile every daty, but moved aw...

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Boston Marathon ???

I haven't been on the site for some time and just wondering if anyone is running the Boston Marathon this spring? I had a pacemaker put in in the fall Sept 2008 and in Oct 2009 ran the Victoria Marathon and qualified for Boston.
I had a lot of trouble after the Pacemaker was put in and developed frozen shoulder, and Brachial Neuritis which damaged three of my shoulder muscles fairly severley. Seems to be coming back around and slowly building the shoulder muscles back. Boston has really g...

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Running

Before my PM I used to run 30-40 miles per week. Now after my second implant I can only run about 200-300 yds then I'm out of breath. I'm 100% dependent and 60yrs old. I have a dual acting PM-afib, and pacing. My high setting can only reach 150BPM and thats where it is set and the low is 70BPM. Is anyone out there who might have any suggestions or comments that they would like to provide.
D. Brinkman

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Would like to see...

I would like to see all of us(EVERYONE) post on this section-Exercise&Sports. No matter what you do or want to do POST it! Even if just walking a few feet. Don't be shy!

Gary

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Walking...for my heart!

Walked 30 min w/ my sweet partner...a german shepherd! I know its not alot, but I've walked 220 minutes since last Friday! Wish I could go ahead and get my new Pulmonary Valve to see if I could walk more...or....maybe run????

No extra salt...and walk....remember - Your heart beats for YOU!

Andi...cloudy, but not raining in TX

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57.5 miles in on the bike yesterday

For those of you who wonder if there is exercise after Pacemaker implant got 57.5 miles in on the bike yesterday riding with mostly younger folks. Was an easy ride (most of the group only did about 36 miles, I rode to the meeting point and then back home {Why did I pick a house at the top of a hill anyway?} so I got my extra miles and extra climbing in.

Anyway, just want to let everyone know that my goal of riding the Colorado Triple Bypass is on track. Yesterdays ride was about h...

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Golf exercises?

Anybody have any favorites. I am doing dumbbell lunges, broom stick twists, upright rows, wrist exercises.

Gary

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You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

Member Quotes

I have a well tuned pacer. I hardly know I have it. I am 76 year old, hike and camp alone in the desert. I have more energy than I have had in a long time. The only problem is my wife wants to have a knob installed so she can turn the pacer down.