Running

Before my PM I used to run 30-40 miles per week. Now after my second implant I can only run about 200-300 yds then I'm out of breath. I'm 100% dependent and 60yrs old. I have a dual acting PM-afib, and pacing. My high setting can only reach 150BPM and thats where it is set and the low is 70BPM. Is anyone out there who might have any suggestions or comments that they would like to provide.
D. Brinkman

7 Comments

I had similar issue

by vitdoc - 2010-03-10 01:03:08

I had probably the same pacer you have. I developed problems requiring a pacer when I got 3rd degree block after aortic aneurysm repair in 2006. The pacer was a Medtronic with the upper limit fixed at 150.
I am a bicyclist and my heart rate would climb above 150. The pacer can not keep up and you have a situation known as pacemaker Wenke block. There is a sudden drop in the beats to about 100. Hence you feel weak and short of breath. When your natural atrial rate falls below 150 the pacer starts working appropriately. If you are 100% dependent then you probably have 3rd degree block also.
I researched the problem and found a better pacer for me.
I got a St. Jude pacer that goes to 180. My natural max rate at my age of 61 is in the low 160's so I can not go over the 180. I convinced my cardiologist to remove the old pacer and replace it with the St. Jude.
My problems disappeared! Now I can exercise to my max capacity without any problems.
The A FiB feature on most pacers (the new one has a sort of A FIB feature also) probably is relatively worthless.
Check with your cardiologist. Also use a heart rate monitor and see if your rate suddenly drops when you hit 150! I used to ride my bike and watch the monitor and slow down when I got into the high 140's but sometimes I would go over 150 and then suddenly be at about 100. Not fun.


setting

by Brantfordmuscle - 2010-03-10 01:03:20

Hi,
I know with my pacer I asked the Dr. to set it for exercise. He changed settings to allow for higher HR and also it supposed to recognize that I'm exercising from my respiration. I'd ask if they set it correctly because you sound like you're in great shape and there's no way you should be seeing this kind of difference in your breathing. I ran a week after getting mine but I hadn't run in 6 weeks. I found it very hard the first 2 runs but after that..same as usual.
I know with my Medronics they ordered a different model for rate drop and said they would program it for sports activies. Good luck with it. I know how frustrating it is when you can't get your runs.. That would drive me nuts.

Cardiac Rehab?

by ceagle - 2010-03-10 01:03:54

I'm pacemaker dependent. Several months after the implant, I continued to have problems with SOB, extreme fatigue, etc. When my cardiologist continued to ignore my complaints I got a second opinion and that doctor recommended cardiac rehab. Since I didn't begin the rehab program immediately after the implant, it wasn't covered by insurance but I went about 3x week for 6 months without improvement. I then saw another cardiologist who discovered my pacemaker was set too low...no matter what I did, my heart rate didn't get over 85 bpm. The day after the setting was changed, I was able to do my exercises and get my heart rate over 100 bpm with much less effort. I quit rehab and began to do my usual activities...can even go up and down stairs again but am still trying to regain strength and stamina. In retrospect, I should have paid less attention to what the doctors said and more attention to what my body was telling me.

Same with me.

by Heapy - 2010-03-10 05:03:33

Had my PM (demand) fitted January. I has similar problems when running, got up to 150 and felt my chest was caving in. I went back to the PM clinic and they adjusted the setting to 180 - a lot better running but still struggle on the fells / uphill. I have to drop my pace back until my breathing picks up.

Cheers
Heapy UK

2 things

by COBradyBunch - 2010-03-10 07:03:08

work up to it... Don't try and do it all at once and I agree with the guy who said trying biking, or if you have a health club/rec center that offers spin classes try those. Great way to get your HR up w/o pounding so much on your body.

Running

by roy22791 - 2010-03-10 11:03:38

I started biking in my early 60's in addition to light weights at home 2-3 times a week. I am now 77 years, have had a defibrillator for 6+ years. I exercise with light weights for 1 hr to 1 hr 10 min 3 times a week. In good weather I bike on the Katy Trail twice a week, working up to 21 miles. This is a dirt trail, not paved.. My injection infraction was down to 15% during my stress test prior to getting the defibrillator. I go in and have it checked every 90 days, that is the unit, the leads and the battery. Still has all original parts.I feel fine and plan to keep on as I have done for many years. That is: eat healthy, exercise regularly and eliminate stress as much as possible.

I would recommend to switch to biking, easier on the joints, but in any case just do what you can eacxh time and attempt to improve a bit if you feel good. I find I have to work up to my 21 mile ride - which I never had to do before. Remember "old age" is a challenge and you can do it, maybe not as fast or as much - but enough.
roy22791@gmail.com

Starting slower

by JanetCCS - 2010-03-10 12:03:36

I have to agree, starting slower sounds like the best idea. I don't think it's age so much as your body getting used to the new PM. If you were accustomed to running 30-40 miles a week just before the PM, this can be a tough one to work through. I'm not sure how the high settings work, but I know that as soon as I reach 150bpm, everything gets more difficult. The way I work around it is that as soon as I start to feel out of breath I slow down or walk until everything comes back down, then I start again. You sort of have to train your heart and pacemaker to handle the new parameters.

Don't run at your usual pace at first, run at a jogging pace, and feel when the fatigue kicks in. See if you can push the distance a little farther each time and walk in between. Try jogging and walking for only a few miles at a time at first. This might start resetting your body to understand how things work again. Then, as you get used to it, you can throw in a running pace until you start to feel fatigue, then jog, walk, jog, run...repeating the cycle.

I'd really recommend talking to your doctor as well about how important running is and reaching a certain heart rate. lol - I'm in non-stop negotiations with my own doc regarding running and martial arts. For people who are active, getting your pacemaker isn't the end of the journey. It's more like being in a marathon all the time, figuring out when to hold back, when to push forward, when to get assistance, etc.

Best of fortune to you!

Janet

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