confused

I'm about to agree to a pacemaker implant. Terrified I will have to give up my running which will make me a bear to get along with ..... But my resting rate of 38 and frequent several-day-long arrhythmias (a-fibs) have me nervous, as well. Glad to find a forum. Howard

12 Comments

running

by vicki2806 - 2010-02-03 09:02:16

Hi Howard,

Hope your implant goes well. I certainly felt a lot better after having my pacemaker. Like you I was havig very low heart rates.
There shouldn't be any reason why you should have to give up your running once your doc gives you the ok. There's lot of people on here who run- I've recently been getting back into it myself and I love hill walking and mountain biking.

Take care

Vicki

keep running

by Chukar huntr - 2010-02-03 10:02:49

I have run for 30 years, but developed heart block last year and needed a pace maker to control circulation. I started running again just a week after the implant. It has been 2 months, things are going well, hope to do a marathon this year. We'll see. take care, Chuck.

Huh?

by ccmoore - 2010-02-03 11:02:49

Explain to me again why you have to give up running. There must be something else going on with your health because it won't be just because you have a pacemaker.
Later,
Charlie

Keep running

by hhcovitz - 2010-02-03 12:02:16

Was concerned that my heart wouldn't be able to keep up ... like a speed governor or something on a car. Thanks for feedback ... Howard

keep running

by Tracey_E - 2010-02-03 12:02:18

There's no reason why you can't run! You'll probably find that you have more energy and stamina so that your running improves. If you don't have other underlying problems, you should be cleared to walk immediately, run by 4-6 weeks.

Keep Running

by TLRun - 2010-02-04 03:02:46

I have been running for 22 years before my pacemaker was implanted in August, 2009. My running had become miserable much alone life in general before the pacemaker. I never passed out but was on the verge of it many times. Like many of the members above, I started to walk immediately after the implant. By the fourth week, I was back running and gradual picked up my mileage. I am now running better than ever!!! Take Care - Tom

Keep Running Baby!

by Tracie H - 2010-02-04 09:02:00

Was running/triathlon before my pacemaker and am still going post-PM. 3 Marathons, 2 Ironman triathlons - my friends say I won't stop now that I've been turned into a real-life energizer bunny. Unless you have other issues, a PM won't stop you from enjoying everything in life. Hope to see you on the road!

Tracie

Negative experiences?

by hhcovitz - 2010-02-05 06:02:51

Wow! This seems to be a runner's paradise! Thanks to all ... 2 Tracies, Tom, Chuck, Charlie and Vicki .... Have my last tests on Monday and will get to make arrangements shortly thereafter. Feel quite bolstered by the enthusiasm for running and commenting, both. Began running some years ago hoping that I could settle down the arrhythmias. Kind of did until a stress-fracture side-lined me for 6 weeks and since then my running has been cut in half due to arrhythmias. Finding this listserv has been an up experience. And not a single negative experience in the bunch!Howard.

keep running

by dwelch - 2010-02-06 02:02:14


Sure you will have to give up running, driving, sleeping comfortably, and a bunch of other things for a short while, but before you know it you can do all of those things again.

This thing should make it so you can run more and worry less about your heart while doing it.

Running is OK

by bbuc4 - 2010-02-08 09:02:37

I know exactly how you feel. I'm an avid runner/cyclist and when my Cardiologist called to tell me that I needed a pacemaker I almost passed out!
My resting HR was in the low to mid 30's and I was experiencing many long pauses throughout the day. As I was about to be wheeled into the operating room I asked my surgeon if I could run over the weekend. Without hesitation or concern he said "sure go ahead".
In actuality it took me a little longer than that to return to running but not much longer. Within 3 days I was grade walking on the treadmill wearing a weighted vest. Within 1 week I was able to run slowly on the treadmill. Within 10 days I was back to running 5 miles outside. It was the soreness in the affected area that prevented me from running the first few days but after that I was back to my normal routine. I am up to a 7 hilly mile run each weekend and plan on expanding that to 9 this weekend. No concerns. Bill

Running no Problem

by buieville - 2010-03-04 11:03:09

I had a pacemaker installed in Feb 2009 and within two weeks I was back to running, albeit at a slower pace initially. The reason for my PM was a heart rate of 34 bpm and then I moved into a third degree right ventrical branch block. My cardiologist is a triathlete and saw no reason for me not getting back to my regular running routine, which was about 20 miles a week at an 8 to 8:30 pace. I subsequently completed a 200 mile hike across England with no adverse effects, other than almost getting washed away in the torrential rains. I am a very active 66 year old guy and it is as if the PM does not exist. I also work out at the gym on a regular basis. There are also Olympic athletes that have Pacemakers installed, so unless you have some other underlying conditions, you should be good to go once the PM leads have attached themselves. There will always be those who think you have to baby yourself once you have a PM ... they are usually couch potatoes that don't understand the importance of exercising to stay healthy. I'm training for a 10 mile run thru the Rocky Mountains in June, so don't ever let anyone tell you that you will have to slow down!
Enjoy your life, Bob

After Bob

by hhcovitz - 2010-03-05 06:03:54

Thanks Bob .... I'm one of those Brachy-Tachy folk .... RHR usually in high 30's till it goes to town .... sometimes duringt run I'll suddenly move through 150 ... 160 ... quickly up to 215+ .... Cardiologist is now considering ablation first.

You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

Member Quotes

Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.