When to Exercise

I just got my pacemaker on Friday, March 19. I can walk upstairs and up a steep hill near my house without feeling like I'm going to die (yesterday, day 1). I was going to take a long walk today, but don't know when I should start getting back in shape. (I'm a former marathoner/hill bike rider that hasn't been able to do much for the past 3 months.) I've read some of your posts about working out, but I don't think anyone has said when to start.

6 Comments

When to Exercise

by SMITTY - 2010-03-21 04:03:49


Hello V. J.

I take it you may be new to our group so let me say welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

The only limitations I had on physical activity was arm movement. I was walking as much as I wanted to by the third day. I would not have tried any running or jogging for about three weeks because the implant site was still a little sore. So based on my experience I would say do anything you want, as you feel up to it, except exercise that involves arm movement.

Now let me add, we are all different and the only way for you to know for certain what you can safely do is to ask your doctor.

Smitty

when?

by cfritza - 2010-03-21 06:03:13

I started walking the very next day and slowly buiilt up according to how I felt and was running again approx 3-4 weeks later and was given the go ahead by my Dr. So if your use to running marathons you should be able to get back to shape pretty quick. Good luck with it.

ask your doc, but...

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-21 06:03:20

Unless you have other problems or damage to your heart that needs time to heal, you should be able to start light aerobic exercise immediately and work your way back to where you were. As Smitty said, be careful of that left arm (assuming your device is on the left) for at least six weeks, or whatever your doc said- no lifting weight or raising it above shoulder level.

Don't rush it!

by Dwight - 2010-03-21 10:03:56

Do whatever your doc says but don't rush it. I've seen a lot of comments from people having to go back to surgery from pulling leads loose, and other problems too. I recommend light to moderate exercise to begin with. I started running at 1 month but the pounding sure made my PM site sore sometimes. I started putting tape over the site for stability before I run and that seems to help quite a bit. At least for me. (slightly over 2 months since implant)
Good luck and hope you have a speedy recovery.
Dwight

low impact

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-22 09:03:09

Ditto what Dwight said! I had a replacement, a new lead, and a plastic surgeon cleaned up the scar tissue left from my last replacements (this is #4) so that left me a bit more more than your average replacement, that was 8 weeks ago. I've been working out since the first week, but haven't done anything high impact yet. I've been walking or using the elliptical without arms. I stepped it up at 6 weeks but felt sore after so I went back to low impact a little longer. I was going to try my old routine again today but woke up with a cold, grrrr. Guess I'll have to wait a little longer to try again.

Just don't push it! Your body will tell you what you're up for.

Your Doc should be able to tell you

by COBradyBunch - 2010-03-22 10:03:48

I was doing Aerobic exercise (stationary bike and elliptical) less than a week after surgery and started to exercise more heavily about 3 weeks in. Got the all clear to do whatever I wanted at 4 weeks. Right now I am training for riding the Triple Bypass bike ride (great name for a ride, especially now that I am electronically assisted) here in Colorado in July. 120 miles, 3 mountain passes and over 10,000 feet of climbing. Did about 60 miles on the bike yesterday (two days after the Denver Blizzard, Colorado is a great place to live) and still have some lbs to drop before the big ride.

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At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!