Swimming

I had a Pacemaker inserted in 2005. I was 29 at the time so it was a bit of a shock!! I used to swim about 3 times a week and swam a mile each time. Since then my Consultant Cardiologist doesn't allow me to swim. I can only splash around these days, which is frustrating. I really miss it as swimming is great for toning!!! Is this a common thing? Surely 4 years on, the leads are well setlled into their new home and won't move?!! I am a Nurse myself so realise the potential dangers but would welcome any advise. Are other Consultant Cardiologists as strict?!!!
Marguerite
Cork, Ireland

6 Comments

I swim laps

by Eperr - 2009-05-19 09:05:01

Since my first pacemaker was installed in Dec. 2002, I have been swimming laps regularly -- began several months after it was installed. No problems. We live in Tucson and if you can't swim in the heat, it would be a disaster. Have him contact Tucson Heart Group.

lap swimming

by aldeer - 2009-05-19 10:05:10

My pacemaker was installed in Aug 2007 and I was told I could swim after six weeks. I do lap swimming for 30 minutes non stop.When younger, I did an hour. My cardiologist has said they discourage it because there could be wear on the lead wire rubbing up against the bone. However my EP who put my pm in said to go ahead & swim and enjoy because there is a lot of slack in the wire. It probably depends on how and just where the pm is. Ask whoever did the installing and be comfortable with their advice. I worried about a year before I finally went back to the EP for his advice and now I just enjoy!!! Lots of good luck aldeer

Swimming

by GCWebb - 2009-05-19 10:05:42

I've had PM for six years now and was released to swim 45 days post implant. It is great exercise.

why

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-19 11:05:18

Did you ask why he doesn't want you to swim? If he has a good reason, then I'd listen, but if it's just worry about the leads pulling out or something that he tells everyone out of habit, I'd question him. I swam at my doctors suggestion, it's how I got the strength back in my arm after not moving it for the six weeks.

PM & swimming

by Vai - 2009-05-19 11:05:47

All the advice are well spoken.

I have an PM implanted and the cardiologist advise that swimming is the recommended best form of exercise. However since I also have afib and HCM, he ruled out competitive swimming, scuba diving and that I must never swim alone.

PM & swimming techniques

by lamoureternelle - 2009-08-30 12:08:07

Does having a PM prohibits improving on techniques, such as stretching far ahead with arm while doing free, fly, and back?

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.