Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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SOB - New Pacemaker Implant

So I am 52 years old and have a CRT-D.  I have had cardiomyopathy for 30 years.  EF down to 20% but prior to PM implant (Sep 8 2020) I had a pretty good exercise tolerance.  I could sustain 120bpm for 40 mins no problem.   

So since I've started exercising, I have ZERO tolerance.  Walking uphill (moderate incline) is a struggle.  On most moderate hills I have to stop and catch my breath.  I feel like my HR immediately skyrockets upon star...

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Weight management programs

Hi, have anyone had gone through a weight management programs before? Is it same for a pacemaker patient?

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Chest Pain post intense workouts (HIS Bundle Pacer)

Hello from Oregon!

I'm about 18 months out from HIS Bundle implant for complete AV block. I believe I am the only HIS Bundle patient in this extremely large practice. 

Twice with high intensity workouts, where I pop up to my 170 cap, I experience 3-4 hours of mild tachycardia 95-105 followed by over 48 hours of chest pain and fatigue.

All lab work normal - thus no heart attack. 

Anyone else experience similar phenomena?

Cardiologist s...

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Fit Bit vs Apple phone

54 yr old woman, had a SCD in March and they implanted a difibulator. Then one month ago I had an attack and the difibulator went off after I came to (my sister says I was out over a minute). I was diagnosed with both pronglonged QT and low heart rate. MGH then took the difibulator out and implanted a 2 in 1. I'm ready to get back to exercising and wonder if a fit bit is better then the Apple phone or if you know of a better item to use.

Also, where they took the difibulator out cau...

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HR variation during exercise

Dear wise friends,

Apologies for this detailed message. I am an otherwise healthy 52-year-old female with a PM installed three years ago (12/17) for bradycardia and heart block. A month ago I developed AFib and had a successful cardioversion earlier this week. There is some thought that I may have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (MRI in 2017 showed asymmetric septal hypertrophy and mild enlargement of both ventricles and left atrium) and I have an appointment with a specialist in this disor...

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Rate response problems with Medtronic Azure pacemaker while cycling

   I am a 69 year-old experienced male cyclist, having ridden for over 35 years.  I began cycling after experiencing a hip injury that still prevents me from running.  I always ride with a chest-strap heart rate monitor.  Around 12 months ago I began experiencing fatigue, dizziness and low heart rate while riding, occasionally at first and then with increasing frequency.  I was eventually diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome/bradycardia, and had a Medtronic Azure d...

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Accurate heart rate monitoring post pacer

I am post Medtronic DC pacer 6/30/20 for trifasiclular block. I am generally doing better but wondering if anyone is having trouble with heart rate monitors. When working out on Zwift my HR (via Bluetooth)increases fairly appropriately but at one point starts decreasing despite continued heavy exertion falling back. to the 70's. On the other hand my Apple Watch records a high rate at the same time. Any explanations?

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Lifting with opposite arm

Nothing was said after surgery or in the post op paperwork about restrictions of weight  lifting with the arm opposite of your pm. Are there any. Yesterday i lifted a jug of water about 40#'s with my off arm, going to call dr today, but thought i'd ck with you guys first, thanks

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Exercise and PM adjustments

I have a dual chamber pacemaker/ICD set for 50 bpm. The EP wanted it set low enough because when it paced I became "symptomatic." He wanted to all but turn it off. So rather than flipping the off switch, so to speak, he put it low enough that I just wouldn't pace. 

Since then, I have gradually returned to my cycling and have become as non-competively proficient as I ever was (minus the long six-hour rides). But now I go through definite periods when my breathing...

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Over-training?

I'm now 7 weeks post-pacemaker implant, which was done to prevent blackouts I was suffering due to low resting heart rate. It only kicks in if heart rate drops below 50bpm.

I'm a very keen cyclist, 33 years old. I was in good shape before this but lack of training over last 3-4 months is starting to show and I want to get back to full fitness.

Now that the device is in and has been checked my doctor has basically said I can start to train to get back to where I was fi...

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Pacemaker tuning for mountain biking

I am a 71 year old mountain bike enthusiast but I can't keep up with my friends anymore. I had my pacemaker put in about 5 months ago. After the initial disorientation I started taking data on heart rate during my rides (apple watch). I felt that my heart rate was too low (130 bpm) during steep pitches. Gradually we've increased that over the months to 150 bpm with the slowest recovery time possible and supposedly a pretty sensitive to motion response.  I am learning how to...

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New member advice request

Hi All

I am due to have a pacemaker fitted next week and would be grateful for any advice on settings to enable me to continue running to a similar level than at present.

I am a 63 year old  male and ran a sub 20 minute 5k before lockdown with a HR max of around 155 to 165 when racing and 125 to 130 when running steadily 

I would be grateful for advice on settings and questions I should ask to find what suits though appreciate from other posts that it might take fu...

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skydiving

Hello,

Last week I was looking for information on skydiving with a pacemaker. I couldn't find anything conclusive and there are a lot of contradictory opinions. I had my pacemaker installed 4 years ago for a 3rd-degree heart block. I'm only 51 now. My husband thought it would be fun to try skydiving and I hoped I would be able to use the excuse of my pacemaker and not be allowed to go. I called my PM doctor and he told me there should not be any issues(great, no excuses now!!)&n...

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Heart rate and excercise

Hi

Last week I had a telephone appointment with a cardiologist I haven't seen before and I explained that I am still suffering with breathlessness and fatigue, so his response was you need to improve your fitness levels. 

I have done a couple of brisk power-walks on the treadmill and I still experience the issue of my heart rate getting to about 120bpm and then crashing to the base limit of 60. It then will only recover by about 20-30bpm thus meaning my workout is ex...

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Bodybuilding with Pacemaker

Hello all,

I got my pacemaker on 07/06/2020. Prior to the pacemaker, I was an avid weightlifter and competitive bodybuilder. My doctor cleared me to exercise about a week ago, but told me I should avoid any intense weightlifting or repetitive movements ( which exercise is a series of). Has anyone had any issues with the device or leads when lifting? Also, if there are any bodybuilding competitors on the forum, how has this changed the way you prepare f...

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New pacer. Exercise issues

Thank you Crustyg. Since decreasing the ADL sensitivity my tachycardia with minimal exertion has resolved. I am still perplexed as to why my HR remains at 130 (maximum ventricular pacing limit) long after I crest a steep hill and then gliding for a significant amount of time. Today this occurred on road bike on smooth pavement. It eventually comes down but I do not need 130 going down a hill!  I wonder about the deceleration adjustment. I think it is set at 10 minutes. What is...

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Resume Biking

I'm post dual lead BostonScientific PM implantation device for 6 weeks now.  Been going well so far!  I'm very eager to start and try to reassemble my previous life to the PM. Cycling is very important, so I'm curious about how long it took others to resume this activity (mountain biker and road/gravel rider, serious about it but it's still all about the fun).  Some of the post-op directions/suggestions were no strenuous activity for 3-6 months. What have you be...

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Post implant exercising

How long after implant can you golf as long as you swing very easy? My doc saying 4-6 weeks. I've also read several places 2-3 weeks, going at it easy.

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New pacer. Exercise issues

 I am a 67 y/o recent recipient of a Medtronic Azure XT DR pacer for heart block and chronotropic incompetence. I am very active preferring cycling as my exercise of choice. I have struggled with random fast heart rates occurring with minimal exertion walking. Upper limit HR 130 seems to gradually upslope when cycling but once I hit it the rate tends to hold despite easier exertion at crest of a hill. Also noticed that bumpy downhills (gravel rides) keep HR elevated as well. Still workin...

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INTERVAL TRAINING

i've recently starting using a Bowflex M8 trainer which incorporates interval training-is this type of training suitable for pacemakers?

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