Hi, I recently started caddying on a regular basis, sometimes singles and sometimes doubles so i have a bag ober my left shoulder. The strap does go partially over my scar and as well as the pacer, i get some irritation but it is less and less. I had my pm put in 11/09, i am 49yrs old in pretty good shape. Physically i can do it i just don't want to damage or mess up the pm/wires etc.

Thanks Bill

 

 

Good question. I guess that's really a question for your Cardiologist (Electrophysiologist) and or the manufacturer.

While it generally should not be a problem if you can bear the weight over the site, long term there may be some issues.

Additionally, if you look at the Member Gallery, you'll see several diagrams of PMs and wires. I can see where potentially with a heavy bag and constant use, you could potentially fracture a lead. The header where the leads connect to the PM is a poly material and while durable, can fracture. Lead insulation can also fracture causing noise and cross talk on the leads. So in my mind there is some degree of risk, I just can't assess the actual amount.

Let us know what they say.

 

Before you would put enough pressure on the pacer to damage anything it would get pretty painful. I just spent 8 hours last Sat banging over rocks, boulders, and other fun stuff in my Jeep. I have my should harness right over the pacer and hardly noticed it.

The most vulnerable area around the pacer is where the leads connect to it. You can usually feel or see this as a bump on the surface of the skin if you are thin skinned like I am. (if you aren't then the pacer is well padded). This area will become irritated if you put too much weight on it.

The other thing to consider is padding over the area.

frank

 

Shoulders if it's bothersome??
Liz

 

This is easy to answer ... carry on the opposite shoulder if you do not want to cause pacemaker site problems. Bruising can turn to infections and pacemakers and wires can be encouraged to erode through the skin from heavy chafing. Lars, www.cardiacathletes.org