Strength Training Guidelines

You've probably heard this story before. I am an active 54 year old male who received a dual chamber pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome on 12/30/09. I am 5 weeks post-op and am anxious to return to some strength training. I have already returned to running 4 days per week, 5-7 miles per day without any problems. Prior to surgery my strength training routine included such exercises as dumbbell shoulder press, dumbbell bench press, pushups, chinups, pullups, dips, and overhead squats. My repetition range is 6-12 for most exercises. Can I resume doing these exercises and if so, when? Thank you.

10 Comments

NO!

by tsimbrow - 2010-02-08 10:02:58

AS a nurse, no you can't return to these activities yet. I would wait at least another 2 weeks and then speak with your doctor for permission. Things have not completely settled yet and I would hate for you to dislodge something. If you really want to do something, you could do things that don't require heavy lifting or your arms hanging off anything for long persiods of time. I would suggest squats, situps or even you could try push ups and see how it feels. General rule of thumb, if it doesn't feel good, too soon. Wait. Hope this helps. I know what you feel like, but patientce is a virtue and if you really feel anxious to get back, call your doctor sooner and see what they say. I think 5 weeks might be too soon. I think you need a minimum of 6 weeks and then check with your doctor before doing anything. Big thing, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR! VERY IMPORTANT! Good luck!
Taryn

Depends on who your doctor is

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-09 02:02:27

The admonition to check with your doctor would seem like a good one, but the instructions you get vary widely between doctors. The differences are rarely because of differences in the patient, but have more to do with the various sources of warnings. They are just "standard" instructions for the particular doc and facility.

I have seen restrictions that are as short as 2 weeks to as much as 8 weeks. I found these instructions on the web site of a heart hospital.

*************************************************
What precautions are to be taken after the surgery?

Keep the incision dry Do not sleep on that side Avoid putting pressure on the Heart Pacemaker Do not to perform any strenuous activities like lifting or over-stretching of the near arm for the next ten days or so
****************************************************

In your case I would be a bit conservative in doing activities that mix heavy forces with reaching above shoulder level on the pacemaker side. Start with easy movements and work up.

frank

Ask your doctor and check your pulse

by otbergo - 2010-02-09 07:02:40

I'm 63 and I had my PM installed 14th December, and started walking the day after the operation. I have been lifting weights, biking and rowing in a gym for 3 weeks. Last Sunday, I went on my first ski excursion in the mountains east of Bergen, for the first time. I've not yet tried slalom and downhill again, but I hope to be ready for it before Easter. Will probably never go for the really steep and dangerous downhills any more, risking a fall on my left shoulder.

I've been in dialogue with my hearth specialist, but my most valuable feedback comes from my pulse watch. I did not train above 120 bpm during the first 4 weeks, taking it easy when I reached that level. But little by little, I'm back to a training pulse between 120 and 160 bpm, my normal training pulse before the operation. But I'm careful not to stress or come close to my limits, in strength training, pulse and sports involving vivid shoulder movements. I'll avoid all movements and sports that might damage the PM and the leads.

weight training

by cfritza - 2010-02-09 10:02:00

I dont think any of us here can tell you deffinitely what you should do, you really have to talk to your Dr. That being said here is what mine told me. I had to wait about 5weeks (although I only do curls bench presses, over the head curls but not with real heavy weightt, it's more for muscle tone) My Dr. has a Pt who works at the YMCA and is a body builder and is ok with that too. The reason my Dr. says it's ok to lift weights is in the way he put the PM in, the wires coming down are not at at sharp curve so according to him makes it better. ISo since it makes me feel better and I know it's good for my heart I cont. to weight train until I have a reason not too. Good luck..

You'll never get......

by GMan - 2010-02-09 11:02:50

a straight answer from your Doctor! You'll be told as I was 5/lbs. max. After many times asking I finally got a Be Sensible from the Doc.

I waited 12/weeks. then started with the bar only. 8/reps adding a rep each workout till I hit 12 then add weight. I know this sounds WEAK for someone who Benched 300/Squat 400 but I am training now with no problems.

The 8-12 progressive resistance came from YORK Barbell-Bob Hoffman. When in PA visit this place. You'll like it! Good luck!

Gary

Also....

by GMan - 2010-02-09 11:02:57

Watch the overhead stuff......go up but don't lock out!

Another suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-10 01:02:27

At some point they usually take an x-ray to check the lead routing. Ask for a copy of it. In our hospital here I can get a CD with the x-ray on it for my records. In my case the leads wrap clear around the pacer which gives lots of spare length. I can't see how any kind of movement will cause any problems.

I would question the story about repetitive motion damaging the leads and not finding it til replacement time. Damaged leads show up on the checkup. If the doc is seeing a lot of bad leads at replacement time, something is wrong with his technique. My guess though is that it is one of those "used car saleman" type stories.

I really don't have it in for docs, really!

frank

So many opinions

by Hoosier - 2010-02-21 06:02:21

It gets me that there are so many different opinions from doctors on this subject. My PM implant was on 2-10-2010, my first checkup was on 2-19. I asked about returning to wieghtlifting, asking specifically about bench presses, military presses and shoulder flys. He told me after 4 week point I can do any weightlifting I want.

I then asked about any weightlifting movements at all to avoid and he repeated "anything after March 10, see you in 5 months."

With all the trust we put in these experts it seems that the old rule about opinions (everyone has one) applies here too.

Good discussion but freaking me out!

Terry

reps

by joem18b - 2010-03-02 02:03:26

before implant, i'd do lots of pushups (say, 500) and pullups (150). the device nurses warned me about reps like that - said that the tensed muscle rubbed off the lead insulation. same with reps with heavy weights. a bummer if true, because now i sort of favor the side opposite the device and do much less upper-body work as a result. i tried calling medtronic, but got no answer there.

The decision is yours!

by ccallahan - 2010-03-16 01:03:00

I have spoken with the manufacturer of my PM and caution was advised from them especially lifting weights. You know your body. You push it you take a chance at any outcome. You should remember you have a foreign object that does not belong. You can cause loosening of blood clots with the wiring, which is normal clotting but it is not meant to be disturbed and rotor rootered through the body. You take a chance at an embolism, which not many people survive from. I did and can say I do not want to take a chance at getting another one I will not survive. You can pull the wires loose from the heart muscle. It is like fishing. You can use a small hook on a large fish and over time that small amount of pulling it out having it reset and pulling it out again will do damage. I do not want to take a chance at having another surgery with the exception of recharging the energizer bunny with another battery. Your doctor will tell you what you want to hear. The relationship with your doctor will dictate what he or she tells you. My physician and staff are not just professionals they are my friends. They shoot straight from the hip and tell me what they want me to hear. The are truly my friends and have saved my life. I think you should use caution, advice from a new friend. But do as you feel comfortable and as your life goals lead you. Do you want to continue to lift and keep doing what you have done or take a chance of doing possibly more damage and shortening the new extension of your life that has been given you? I know I want to give my new life a chance. When you take risks you need to accept the possiblity of new risks. You have probably have already made your decision and your physician is telling you what you want to hear. Good luck and I hope you do use some caution and give your new life a chance. I know I am new to the group and would like to continue to have all of you to share stories with.

Rev. C. Callahan, D.D. PM 2/3/10. I hope this helps.

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