Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

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the quest for a hrm

I've been through two brands in the last week. One was the wrist type. It took three or four tries to get a read while sitting still, I could not get it to read at all when I was working out. I think it was the model, not me, because the reviews on it were pretty bad.

I took it back today and traded it for a Polar P6 with a chest strap. It works fine on my husband but I can't get it to read on me at all. From browsing the old posts here, I see that I'm not the first to have this probl...

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heart rate

I received my PM 06-31-2008 due to my heart pausing for 6.1 seconds. I’m a runner and my resting heart rate was between 48 to 44 bpm. Since my PM was inserted my resting heart rate is 60-62 bpm. My Dr said he would adjust it at my 1st check up. I know it will be up to my Dr on how low the PM is adjusted but I would like to know how low do the runners out there have their PM set? Thanks Thomas

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I Made It!!

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone who was encouraging along the way.
I ran the triathlon this morning and finished 39 seconds ahead of my overall goal.
The great thing was that my wife and boys made it just in time to give me a big cheer when I needed it the most!
If I could offer any encouragement to those reading this post it would be to never sell yourself short, and to continue to seek ways to do the things that you love. Just because we have received a PM or ICD do...

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Triathlon Two Days Away

Well, I am officially at the 5 month mark since I received my PM. With that, I know that I am fortunate to still be able to do the thing that I love which is being involved in triathlons. In two days I will line up for the first time since the implant, and to be honest I am a little nervous. Theoretically there should be no complications, but you all know that what the doctors say and what goes through our minds are two totally different things.
Anyway, remember me on Saturday. Here's...

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Triathlon Two Days Away

Well, I am officially at the 5 month mark since I received my PM. With that, I know that I am fortunate to still be able to do the thing that I love which is being involved in triathlons. In two days I will line up for the first time since the implant, and to be honest I am a little nervous. Theoretically there should be no complications, but you all know that what the doctors say and what goes through our minds are two totally different things.
Anyway, remember me on Saturday. Here's...

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Rugby and PM.. bad news ??

Hi all ;) So had my pm/df for about 4 years now and doin ok i guess, Bein young i still wanna live my life and i love sport. Been told by my doctor not to play contact sport 'however' i love rugby union and cant say no. Playin fullback and havin a ball!! Everytime i make a tackle or get tackled i hold my breathe just hoping im not gonna hurt my machine. I know the machines r rock hard but honestly do you think i could stuff my machine or wreck my leads ?? Or do you think the muscle will cover it...

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Rate Response turned off

Well, I had my first device check after my early May PM implant.

I shared the concern that after I exercise (4 mile run-45 minutes), I feel 'out of whack' for a day or two. I get SOB and my HR jumps up very quickly with the slightest activity. I also asked why the rate response was turned on when I had AV block and to my knowledge no issues with my Sinus node. After my tech called the Medtronic engineer and my EP, they decided to turn Rate Response off.

After work, I g...

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SEX

I'm recently implanted with a pacemaker. As was, I enjoysex with my wife....How long after can I have sex?? Can I take Viagra???

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PM and Exercise HR

Hi everyone- I am curious what experiences other people have had with their HR while exercising after getting their PM. I have AV Block and had a PM inserted about 1 month ago.

I just started exercising this week. I have noticed that my HR starts around 75 and jumps almost immediately to 155-156 (within a minute). It settles down to around 150 and when I slow down it gradually comes down as you would expect. I have only been running 2-3 miles at a 12 min/mile pace to start.

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Pacemakers & Sharks

Very strange inquiry, but...................my 11 year old son has been paced since he was 18 months old. We are moving to the outer banks this month where surfing is very popular. My question, in case anyone has any info, is would sharks be attracted or opposed to the electromagnetic energy of a pacemaker? THere are devices divers use that use electromagnetic energy to avoid sharks.......

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Motorcycles and Pacemakers

Hello everyone, I have had my pacemaker for a year now and still remain confused as to what kind of electrical devices I can be around.I know welding machines and other tools that have batteries are taboo but how about a motorcycle. You sit close to the engine and the battery. Does anyone out there have any experience with this. With the gas prices the way they are I am looking to getting a motor bike of some kind but need to know if they will be safe for my pacemaker.

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High and Low Heart Rate Settings?

Hmmm... I'm reading a lot of interesting things about exercising and PM's, ICD's. I just had my ICD installed 4 days ago after I passed out while jogging (EKG's showed very long QT intervals). I enjoy running about 3 - 4 miles every other day and I ALSO like to do fartlek and speed training to get the most out of my workouts and constantly improve my 5K times.

My resting heart rate is around 50 - 55 (this drops down to mid 40's when I'm asleep) and I comfortably run at about 180,...

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Cliff jumping

Prior to my pacer insertion (2005) I would occasionallly jump from rock cliffs in water, feet first. No more than a 50 foot jump. Anybody know if this is safe.

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Rate response question

Hi all, I have a St jude pacer for sss and Bradicardia plus it is supposed to help a bit with a fib. I have been a pacer for about 2 years. The last 6 months I have been on 25 mg Beterblocker as the a fib seemed to be getting worse, this has helped a lot but now I find it difficult to get my hr going. When I walk up stairs I feel terrible when I get to the top, and have to wait for my heart to speed up before I can continue, My pacer is set at 60 bpm, but even with running up 40 flights in 15 mi...

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Excercise

Hello,
I would like to know if anyone was given information to exercise their arm and/or shoulder when they were dismissed from getting the pacemaker?
I understand the doctor or at dismissal tells a person to excercise so you don't have a frozen shoulder. Is this true for most of you?
Thanks for any input.
Don

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out of cardiovascular shape

Hi all,

I had my third pacer about 6 weeks ago and have recently tried to start exercising again; however, I am concerned about what type of program I should do. Prior to this surgery, I mostly weight lifted. Now, I get a little more out of breath just walking, so I am afraid to even think about lifting weights.What type of exercise program do you do and have you been able to exercise the same since your pacer? Is it best to exercise or not with cardiac issues? I see elderly people at...

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target heart rates?

I will be able to go back to swimming next month, and I would like to know if anyone's target heart rate during exercise is the same as it was before their pacemaker implant?
No matter what I do now, my heart rate never goes above 65!
Thanks

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Gym Cardio Machines

Hi Everyone,

There’s been a bit of discussion on this forum about the heart rate monitors on the cardio machines (treadmill etc) for those of us that visit the gym. One problem we mention is that they sometimes fluctuate (80 jumps to 140 drops to 90 etc etc) and I always assumed that it was simply the gym machine getting confused by the pacemaker, but I ran the idea past my EP a few weeks ago and he sent me to the PM technicians to investigate.

Just got back, and it turns...

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Can dislocated shoulder pull leads?

Does anyone know anyone that has had a dislocated shoulder and pulled out a lead? I know you need to be careful for a few weeks after getting your electrodes in. I like to do a lot of serious whitewater kayaking, and I have dislocated my shoulder a couple of times when i've gotten really trashed. Also, I downhill ski a lot.

Just Curious! Thanks, Jim Jim

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lifting weights

I just received my third pacemaker (having received my first at the age of 30 - I'm now 53) and am having a hard time knowing how much exercise is OK - mainly weight lifting upper body. My (new) cardiologist said to "keep it reasonable" and not strain too much, but didn't really give me any definite guidelines, other than don't lift 100 pounds. I don't want to fracture a wire...what's reasonable?

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I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.