Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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Higher (lower) - elevation sports?

I've heard rumors and stuff about not being able to ski, snowboard, dive, etc. with a pacemaker. Oh yeah, and taking tours of dams? Is this true? I wouldn't do that anyway with my cold fingers and toes, but I was just wondering... :)

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Under 10:30

On 1/9, I wrote about getting back to running after my PM implant and breaking through 11 minutes per mile on the treadmill. Well, today at lunch I broke the 10:30/mile mark over four miles with a time of 41:28 (10:22/mile). It has been about 10 weeks post-implant.

It took me most of last year (before implant) to get below 10:00/mile, so I don't think I am going to get through that barrier anytime soon. I bumped my speed up just a little too fast last Friday and felt myself sag abou...

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PVC's after Exercise

Hi, I am 23 yrs old. My pacemaker was implanted 4 yrs ago when I was 19. I was a runner in High School and exercised frequently. Until one day after a vigorious run, my heart beat was beating irregular in it's low 30's. After the cardiologist watched me for a couple of months, they decided to put in a pacemaker. I have never been the same. I am extremely symptomatic after exercising.

Anywhere from 1 - 5 hrs after exercising, I get really bad PVC's. It feels as if my heart is "sticking...

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Running and Settings, low Max HR

I received my first PM (Boston Scientific Altua 60) Jan 16th 2009.

My story: I've continued running but been overly tired in general for the past few years. My Dr ran a lot of blood tests but couldn't find anything wrong except for High Blood Pressure and a Low Pulse usually in low 40's at Dr visits. He kept me off any medications that might lower my pulse since it was already low.

I went for a blood pressure/ cholesterol check up with my GP on Dec 19th and ended up...

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Ski -ing!

Hi all
Just a quick question, I'm looking for some kind of protective padding, as I'm off ski-ing and just want that added protection. I've found the 'soft touch bra strap pad but can't seem to find where to purchase this in the UK any ideas??

Thanks :0)

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Running and Max Rate

I recently had a PM installed and the rest rate is set at 50 and Max rate is at 155. I'm 49 and consider myself in good shape and have run one full marathon and numerous halves, 10k's etc. I have never given Max heart rate any thoughts and never worried about it till now. I took 2 months off of running and am now getting back into it and find my self like a beginner again and starting all over. Does the pacemaker slow a person down, make your heart weaker because its being helped or what seems l...

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Under 11 Minutes

I am 50. Last year (before PM) I started working out on the treadmill in an effort to pare down my growing middle age waistline and keep my weight below the dreaded second century mark. Last fall, I ended up running my first 5K and 10K. Not fast, but not last. My peak treadmill time last year was about 9:30 per mile, averaged out over three miles. My outside time was always slower. I always considered that close to my limit, as this soft old body isn't built to go much faster.

I...

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Barefootin' AGAIN!

Hey Everyone!

Hope all is well and that your holidays were good!

Happy New Year to all!!

Just wanted y'all to know that Friday was the big day! - I finally got to go water skiing again for the first time since my ICD implant in Oct. I will admit I was a little nervous but all went well and I had a great time - we also got to ski on Sat. and Sun. - the water was a little cold but the weather was beautiful! I can't wait until we get a chance to go again!!

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Running HR w/PM installed 12/10/08

Hello,

I had my PM installed last month and have just started running again. I haven't run much since last spring because I would get dizzy after running (HR would drop below 40 after aerobic exercise). Anyway, I noticed that my running HR post PM is 20 bpm faster (180-185 bpm @ sustained 8 mph vs 160-165) prior to PM.

Has your HR increased post PM under the same load? Of course part of the issue could be that I am out of shape from not exercising properly for the last...

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oh my gosh!!

About a week ago I was rolling rounds of wood down a hill and out of nowhere WHAM I have never been shocked so bad in my life!! My reaction was WHAT THE F@#$ WAS THAT then I ran away, I made it about 5 steps then another WHAM. That's when I realized it was me that I was running from, so I sat down really quick...My doc said that my heart rate got to high but that it was a normal heart rate.
I asked if I could come in and have my icd adjusted and she said yeah but then I got snowed in so...

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I found a HRM that works on me!!!!

I gave up finding a heart rate monitor that will work on me after going through every brand at Sports Authority, REI and a high end running store- none would give me a reading. I was at the mall today and saw a ring hrm in the window at Brookstone. It’s not fancy and doesn’t have a lot of features, but it gave an accurate reading! It’s too clunky to wear for weight training but I really only need it on the treadmill and elliptical anyway so I am pleased. And I got a pink one. I...

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New PM as of 12/10/08 - Fitness for Duty

Hello,

I am a 47 y/o fed agent, as part of my quarterly qualifications I am required to shoot my pistol (no worried about that), run 1.5 mile (less than 12 min), push-ups (50 in 1 min), situps (50 in one min), and pull-ups 8.

I'm currently woking on light duty. However, my work will require a fitness for duty in January 2009. My question is for those who workout, are these realistics goals for me post PM?

Thanks,
Steve

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worried

gday everyone ive just had an on demand dual chambered pm implanted and i would like to know if i can ever return to wieghts or highly strenuose activity again . i am 34 years old with a young family i am a contracted construcion worker and need to be physically fit. if anyone could help answer this questions that would be great

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excersing

hello and i have a pacemaker/dibfillbator i was 22 when i got it and now im getting weight what kind of excersing can i do and not get shocked

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beta blockers / de-fib / PM affecting performance

i am a former world class triathlete who had a PM/Defib ICD inserted in August. 3 weeks later while cycling i went in to V-tach and they put me on a beta blocker (sotalol). i've been in 2x to have the device settings adjusted. however, when i ride my bike i have to stop every 15-20 minutes. it feels like i'm riding with a plastic bag over my head. walking / jogging is a bit better. it's gotten so discouraging i've almost given up cycling til i discovered this site and saw the success others are...

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Surfing and working out

Anyone out there surf and stand up paddle? Are there any risks I need to be aware of when surfing after the leads are set and scarred over? I got my PM three weeks ago and I'm patiently waiting for the 6 weeks to pass. How about excercise? Are there any excercises that absolutely shoud not be done because of this little computer? Like pull ups, flys, military presses? Thanks for your thoughts. You guys are great. This is a great website!

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At the gym post-implant...

So I got back on the treadmill this week, what, 3 weeks post implant of my PM? So I'm feeling like I should have gotten it a long time ago! I'm feeling great - more like I HAD a heart condition - can do so much more than before. So even though I was "asymptomatic" maybe I really wasn't. I guess tired and sluggish can creep up on you over time and you don't even realize it. You write it off to being fat, lazy, mom of two who works full time. But it is obvious there was something going on th...

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Resuming running @ age 57

Tomorrow will mark the 4 week mark since my Biotronic Cylos DR-T (dual chamber, rate responsive) was implanted. I have 2:1 AV block which resulted in "chronotropic insufficiency" which means my running performance went down the tubes because of getting winded easily. I am 57 and have only been running for 3 years.

I walked for 2 miles the day before my one week recheck and felt great. At my recheck, everything was checking out great and I was really feeling quite good. I figured that...

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Pacemakers and exercise regimes

I'd appreciate any and all information/suggestions for weight training with a pacemaker(exercises to avoid/modify;helpful websites);how soon(1 or 2 months rest to not displace leads).I want to get back to pre- pacemaker training as soon as possible.Thank you in advance for your assistance, Paul

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From 160 to 60 (II)

Hi everyone from Spain,

Last week (on Thursday), I had an appointment with my Doc and I asked him for a solution. After talking a bit, he changed the settings of my PM. First, he increased my upper limit from 160 to 180. Second, he turn off an option to control tachycardia (I don’t really need this option) so I can go as high as 180 and my PM is not detecting the high rates as a problem.

On Saturday I checked the new settings and I went for a nice mountain tour. As expect...

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I am very happy with mine. I am in the best shape of my life. I lift weights, compete, bike, golf and swim.