Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

Exercising, losing weight!!!!!!!!!!!

Well i have had my Implant (Virtuoso VR defib) for 9 months, I am a big guy and need to lose some weight. I have no problem with working out and walking and treadmills and all that. I love to listen to music and just work out. I just kinda wanted some guidance on what some of the good sized people have been doing and what they have lost. I need to drop 50 by the end of the year which i know can be done with no problem. Please chime in and let me know. I have left out, soda and diet, candy,...

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Scuba/Hockey

2 1/2 weeks since implant and I have already began working out again. I coach and play hockey, but I am taking a couple of more weeks off before returning to playing. I am a little concerned of returning back to scuba diving especially for the anxiety of other divers that something may go wrong with me. Does anyone have any experience in either diving or hockey that I might benefit from knowing.
Thanks Dave

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Swimming

I had a Pacemaker inserted in 2005. I was 29 at the time so it was a bit of a shock!! I used to swim about 3 times a week and swam a mile each time. Since then my Consultant Cardiologist doesn't allow me to swim. I can only splash around these days, which is frustrating. I really miss it as swimming is great for toning!!! Is this a common thing? Surely 4 years on, the leads are well setlled into their new home and won't move?!! I am a Nurse myself so realise the potential dangers but would welco...

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Another 5K

I did another 5K this weekend. This time with my 18 year old daughter. My time continues to improve -- I finished this 5K in 29:14 (9:25/mile), which is way beyond what I ever thought I could do when I started this whole running thing last year.

My daughter, who hasn't been exactly motivated to do much training of late, finished in 37:45. She did track her freshman and sophomore years in high school, but hasn't kept up with it. I am hoping that she feels sufficiently embarrassed bei...

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Suggestions on training

Having just had my pacemaker implanted a few weeks ago I would like to hear from other runners who train with a pacemaker.

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ab lounge

Hi i have not been on in a long time, I am feeling much better than before and i am no longer depressed. I have started to exercise some. I currently rebound for 10 minutes a day(its the most i can handle) and really want to tone up my midsection. I am really thinking about buying the ab lounge.
My question is has anyone on here used the ab lounge and had any good results?
I dont want to waste money so i am really hoping some of you have used it and can give some reviews.... Thanks

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Backpacks and PM's/ICD's

I asked this on another group, but might as well ask here.

A highschool friend has moved back into town and I'm looking at going for some outdoor activities.

I can't place much pressure on my left chest and I know a lot of larger Backpacks sit on your hips, so lacking the left strap might be easier for those.

Has anyone had experience with or found some implant friendly backpacks?

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Son of 8 years struggling to do cross country running

My son of 7 years old has had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old (Congenital Heart Block). He had a replacement one in October last year. He is now in school and started to do cross counrty running. He is a very active child but when doing a 1km run struggles to keep up with the kids and comes last - says his chest hurts. Wondering if anyone has a child that runs and can offer some advice?

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heart rate monitor

Hi, I am just a new member, my name is moira and I am 40 years old and I recently had a pacemaker fitted in dec 2008. I normally run marathons, and keep fit. I have started to run again which is great, I normally wear a heart rate monitor but the last couple of days my monitor has said my heart has gone up to 226 which I have never had before then it goes back to normal about 165 has anyone else experienced these problems or do you think it is interference from the pacemaker.

Thanks

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Running-What to expect

I have a question-I am a runner, had my pm put in Dec 08. I have a dual pm due to a very slow heartrate. What should I expect as far as recovery time. I am running but I am slower and I quess I expected to be back to speed by now.
They also turned off my regulator-is this common? I guess I am just trying to figure out what is reasonable. Thank you for any help you can give me on this.

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Riding My Horse

Hi Everyone - Tomorrow will be 8 weeks since my pacemaker implant. I rode my horse yesterday for the first time since my operation and it was wonderful! I had help lifting my western saddle up on his back, and I am still being careful about using my left arm too much, but once I was up on him, everything went well, and it was a mental (as well as physical) triumph for me. I am 60 years old, and still pretty darn healthy, despite it all :-)

I had posted about 3 weeks after my pacemake...

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TONING TABLES

Hi there

Does anyone have any advice regarding the use of toning tables...those wonderful machines ( electrically powered ) that tone up your muscles while you lie back and think of whatever ?

I have a dual chamber pacemaker and I am currently trying hard to lose weight. I would like to join my friends who are planning to use toning tables.

I am concerned there "could be" interference from the machines and/or I could risk damaging the PM leads or cause some more...

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Gulf Coast Triathlon

I just wanted to send out a word of encouragement to those wondering if there life will ever get back to where it was before their PM implant: Today I competed in the GCT 1/2 Ironman in Panama City Beach, FL. My time was 6 hours 37 minutes.

I do not know the particular situation that surrounds all the PM wearers on this site, but do not quite living...do not quit striving to be the best that you can be.

By the way, my PM was implanted 1 year and 3 months ago!

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How is my life going to change?

Any one out there who loves to stay in shape and who has had a pacemaker implanted for a while. Hows your exercise routine different from before and whats the pros and cons of the pacemaker and exercising(yoga,weight lifting,running,dancing and jumping on a trampoline). I'm young 24yrs. old and just had my pm implanted 03/26/09 and am very active and have a whole life ahead of me. So if theres anybody out there who love to share info. with me please do i'd love to hear some wisdom and get some u...

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My first post-op 5K

Some of you might remember earlier postings where I mentioned getting back on the treadmill and into running after my PM implant last November. My first goal was to get my 4 mile average pace back below 11 minutes per mile, then below 10:30/mile, and then below 10:00/mile (about where I was pre-op). With the nicer weather, I've been running a bit outside, but haven't been timing anything.

On Saturday I ran my first 5K organized race since the PM implant (I had a couple of earlier ra...

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Auto LifeStyle ?

I have a Boston Scientific Altrua 60 S602 pacemaker. It's a fairly new model which received FDA approval in May of 2008 but I think it's just a rebranding of a Guidant Insignia I Ultra (model 1291) . I found a system guide for each of these online and they read almost word for word the same - the only difference I could find was the AV delay goes up to 400ms on mine and it went up to 300ms on the Guidant model. So, I'm guessing they just put out the Guidant Insignia under a new name.
...

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Swimming with a pacemaker

I have a Kappa DR 400 pacemaker model KDR 403 installed (I mean implanted) in January due to brady and arhythmia. Have been in for one "tune-up" which made a huge difference in my ability to swim. I wonder if anyone else has experience swimming (3000 to 5000 yards, intervals, very hard at times) with a pacemaker. My surgeon said he chose this model, which is a 1997 model, due to its appropriateness for swimming. Until the tune-up, I could not swim more than 150 yards without resting; after some...

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Intimacy...

Has anyone ever felt a major SOB upon "getting busy"? I did this weekend and it gave me a scare. I mean, its not like I can check out my pulse rate in the middle of things.

I actually had to say..."I can't breathe very well" to my husband. Sorta kills the mood.

Hey...I don't know whether I should have posted this in "exercise & sports"...just seemed most applicable. LOL! My stamina upon exertion has really sucked since my implant in January of this year. I would really...

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Challenge Obesity 5K - 2nd 5K with PM

I thought I'd share my 5K results from Sat April 4th on my 2nd 5K post PM - I did a little better than last time but I'm not quite satisfied with my time yet. On my second PM checkup I was 100% A-paced and 60% V-paced - they changed my upper limit from 130 to 150 but didn't make the Rate Response changes I wanted so the Accelerometer is still too sensitive and going to the Max quickly. I'd like to get the MV sensor turned on and see if that helps.

If I want to look at my results n...

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Back to normality

I have just got back from swimming for the first time since my pm implant 9 weeks ago. I have been so frightened of pulling my leads out since it was put in , but tonight I decided it was time to start moving forward and getting fit. I managed 16 lengths of breast stroke, and could tell the difference from b4 the pm. i used to have to stop after each length and gasp for breath with a burning chest. I still stopped after each length but with just a slight breathlessness. I feel so pleased and am...

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I am just grateful to God that I lived long enough to have my ICD put in. So many people are not as lucky as us; even though we sometimes don't feel lucky.