Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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Vital Beat or Paceguard for biking

Has anyones used the Vital Beat or Paceguard pacemaker shield and shirt? I'm considering buying one of them to use when biking for protection from a possible fall. I'd like to know what your experience has been, and if you have a recommendation.

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Any cycling success stories with a Biotronik ICD

Recently I had a Biotronik Rivacor 7 DR-7 implanted. I'm 59 years old and avid cyclist (over 10,000 miles in 2020). I was wondering if anyone has had any success in getting a Biotronik ICD synced properly for cycling? I've had it adjusted twice but still struggle with shortness of breath while riding even at a reduced pace. My current settings are below:

Max CLS 130

CLS Response Med

Upper rate 140

AV delay pacing 225

AV delay sensing 185

Thanks in a...

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Best Pacemaker for a bicyclist

I have been an avid bicyclist for years. Recently, my cardiologist implanted a Medtronic monitor in my chest to determine whether I need a pacemaker. (I have had bradycardia for many years and had an ablation for A-Fib back in 2014.) Long story short: a few days after the implant, I received a phone call from the Cardiologist's nurse who told me that the cardiologist wants to meet with me on Tuesday, to discuss pacemakers. The cardiologist believes that I have sick sinus syndrome and the...

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Exercised Induced Hypertension

Hi Mike,

You said you take Lisinopril 30mg. Did you know that if Lisinopril works too good it can cause a rapid loss of blood pressure. I am a nurse and I heard this from a doctor. Maybe your pacemaker is not the issue. Talk to your doctor about your Lisinopril and your symptoms. 
 

I hope all works out for you. BTW, Happy Fathers Day! 

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Exercise induced Hypertension

I have lately experiencing a sudden drop in blood pressure while brisk walking. I usually walk for 5 mi at a brisk pace (2.5-3 mph).  My tolerance this spring has been steadily decreasing, and I am fatigued the last 1/2 mi; lately though I have been unable to go more than a mile.  I am having sudden drops in HR, from >130 to 60, and subsequently am unable to increase my HR above 65-70. I have also extablished that my BP will drop to <95/60.  When this happens I feel dizzy...

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Supercar insurance

I am going to castle coombe for a supercar experience next week and suddenly thought about my pacemaker. Any advice? Will this be ok?  Thank you as always 

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Safety

Is it safe for me to be in pool with grandbaby & no one else is around?  I'm very anxious that I might faint or have a heart attack while alone with her.  I keep her week days.  She's 8 months old.  I'm 2 months out from implant, no problems & doctor had said I could return to normal activities.   Just a lot of anxiety over this even though physically I feel better now that my heart rate is above 30. 

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Protection while biking

Prior to getting my pacemaker a few weeks ago, I was an avid cyclist. Looking forward to getting back on my bike soon.
Can anyone recommend a device/shirt/vest to protect the pacemaker from possible bumps?

I've seen the vital beat and pace guard devices advertised online. Does anyone have any expeience using one of them?

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Polar verity HRM

Ordered one of these through Amazon so I can return it if necessary. Arm band that uses LED's instead of electrical impulses. Was wondering if anyone else has tried one of these?

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Backpacks / rucksacks / daysacks

Hi I'm new here - I came as I saw lots of old discussions on Google search but no real answers. 
 

I'm on my third pacemaker. This one was put in about three years ago. It's perfectly settled and I don't notice it too much unless it gets poked or pressed. 
 

I do a lot of walking. Just day walks with a 20 litre bag. My walks are what my friends call long - 15 to 20 miles. 

Recently I notice it gets sore where the bag...

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Whoop reliability

Good morning.  I have a St Jude dual chamber pacemaker (installed in 2018) to help me cope with consequences of heart block (likely arising from His-Purkinje Disease).  I'm 68 and an avid cyclist (4000+ miles/yr).  Recently, I've been struggling with upper limits on my heart rate that won't allow me to ride as hard as I'd like.  I've been using a Wahoo optical heart rate monitor that has been recording heart rates much (2-3 times) higher than my ca...

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AV node ablation and cycling

Great to find this web site and forum.  Quick background:  I am a 68 year old male who is an avid cyclist (about 150 miles/week).  I have had A-fib for approximately 20 years.  My second ablation in 2014 gave me 6 years of relief and joy with an Afib burden of <5% and using a simple PIP approach to convert after brief episodes.  Otherwise, no medication.  Unfortunately since Feb. 2021 I have been in afib almost constantly with no help from drugs and 2 cardiove...

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Change in Feeling

Hi All,

Just a quick one, had my Meditronic Dual PM for nearly a year now, have had a few bumps in the road, but have generally been good.

I am a keen hill walker & sent many days in the hills & not having an issues with ascents, however a couple of weeks ago I noticed a my body not being as capable of preforming climbs, than it had been say just a month previously.

Any reasons why this could be & what can be done?

I am going to see my healthcare...

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Running With SSS

I've posted several questions about SSS. It seems the more answers I get, the more questions I have.

To recap, I have been diagnosed with SSS. Right now when I run, my heart skips beats which makes me very tired and exhausted.. I used to be able to run 5 miles with no problem. Now because of the missed beats, I have to walk a several times.

If I get a PM, and I get my heart rate up to say . . . 130 BPM, would the pacemaker sense that my heart is about to skip and add thos...

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BPM question

Prior to my PM implantation in April my heart rate would be in the 140's during some exercise. I am ready to get back to exercising.  My settings are 60 to 130. What will happen if my heart rate needs to go above 130?

Thank you. 

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Jogging with a pacemaker

Got pacemaker 2 days ago and went jogging today.  I could feel the pacemaker bouncing in my chest.  Is this common?

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Exercise after 2 weeks

Dear all thank you for letting me in this Club it is really helpful to know that we have common issues and luckily also some very good solutions! I was a very active persone before my PM, it was quite a shock " to receive " it as my life- saving therapy. So l would like to know if anyone of you started some exercises at home like sit ups, crunches or squats and when after the PM. The docs told me to walk, not use my left arm over the shoulder, no rotations, and n...

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Running with a Pacemaker

It has been suggested by my physician that I should seriously consider a pacemaker as I have the onset of Sick Sinus Syndrome. It's not critical at this stage but it could progressively get worse in the months or years ahead.

I am a 75 year old avid runner and have noticed that during my run my heart skips beats every few seconds which makes it very difficult to keep my energy level up.

I live in Canada and sometimes the new technology takes it's time to work it's way...

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Sub-pectoral PM Recovery

I am due to have my first replacement PM in 3 weeks, the first one was placed sub-pectoral and lasted 12 years with no problems. 

As it was so long since I had the inital implantation, my memory of the recovery is a little hazy. I was 15 years old and a competitive gymnast at the time and I remember it taking around 6 weeks to lift my arm up above my head and even longer to hang off a bar and pull up etc. 

I am incredibly fit and active and...

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Prophylactic ICD therapy

1 month ago I had a cardiac mri, and they found myocardium scarring (most likely from a pervious virus), and now my cardiologist is considering 'Prophylactic ICD therapy', after trialling medication for 3 months to see if my 45% EF improves. What I don't understand is why he would be considering this therapy when I don't have any arythmia's (had a holter monitor test). I am a 57 yr old  masters cyclist (former professional in the 80's), and suffer from shortness o...

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