Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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Getting a little nervous

Hi all,

I'm scheduled to receive a Biotronik pacemaker next Friday and the more I think about it the more questions I have.  I'm not sure which model I will be receiving other than it is a dual lead.  I'm a 72 YO male, the reason for the PM is heart block which caused me to pass out one time back in July.  My cardiologist had me wear a Holter monitor for 3 days and it showed 2 instances of heart block.  I am an avid cyclist, and ride at least&nb...

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Running - ADL Setpoint and Activity Threshold settings

Hello!

If anyone is running regularly and has a Medtronic PM, I'd like to know what values you have for "ADL Setpoint" and "Activity Threshold" settings.

Thanks in advance...

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Heart rate

Hello Cyborg Friends

When I go for a fast walk around the oval  my heart rate  will be on hr 83 for 10 seconds then it jumps to 136 for 10 seconds then back down to 83,.  No symptoms unless it bounces up to 160-170, then I cant breathe. I am 100% paced due to total heart block, I am also brady/tachy and have a laking MtraValve.  Next check up 4monhs, I wonder if this is because someimes Im being paced on the bottom and it might switch to pacing top and bott...

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Running out of patience.

I don't know where to start. Last week I had a series of scans that will continue tomorrow. I had an MRI with and without contrast. I had a Nuclear Medicine Scan. I had a PET scan. Lots of radioactive dye running through my viens. Tomorrow I will have a thoracic ecocardiagram with tang or something that will be injected. lol Anyway, in the past two weeks my pacemaker was adjusted three times. It doesn't seem to be right... I run. Each morning I set out to do an easy 7 miler. My pace i...

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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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You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.