Rowing

I had a pacemaker installed on March 7, 2010... one month ago! I've been a rower for about 6 years, and want to continue again. The cardiologist says one more month...

Anyway, I've been exercising on the recumbent bicycle at 85% target heart rate (128). I notice that when I go into cool down, my heart will start jumping 150 and up.. and it takes several minutes for my heart rate to finally drop.

Anyone else have this experience?

4 Comments

Not quite...

by heartu - 2010-04-12 08:04:53

I have a recumbent bike also with pulse grips, but I find that my reading is pretty accurate as I check the reading against stopping and taking my own pulse. Where I get crazy readings is on the treadmill so anytime I increase my incline or speed I will stop and take my pulse after about 10-15 mins to see what it is.

I have been working out at a 75% THR (125) because the upper limit of my pacemaker is set to 130. A couple of times my reading on the bike has been 130 and it just doesn't go above that, but then when I see that I slow down to bring my HR slightly lower. Next time I see the EP I will have that limit raised so I can workout at 85% (141)..

Have you checked the reading on your bike to make sure it is accurate? or are you taking your pulse on your own? I ride the bike for about 1 hour and my HR doesn't go down as quickly as it did before the pm, but it does go down. Do you think you may be pushing too hard so soon after the pm implant? (I am almost 7 weeks post pm) Does it only happen after exercising? Definitely something to call and tell your doctor about.

heart monitor

by chadsey - 2010-04-12 09:04:32

So, do you think that a heart rate monitor around my chest would be better than using the hand grip method?

My pacer shouldn't actually kick in unless my heart rate drops significantly. I'm thinking that when I go into cooldown that that the pacer "thinks" that my heart rate is dropping, (rather than cooling) and kicks in. So, my next strategy would be to do a slower cool down.

I'm heading to the doc this morning to get the whole thing checked out. I'll let you know what he says. He actually is a rower...

Sent you a message

by heartu - 2010-04-12 11:04:36

I just sent you a private message..

Jumping HR

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-12 12:04:08

How are you checking your HR? The HR monitor on exercise bikes uses the ECG method of measurement. Your hands on the handles makes contact with electrodes that transmit the electrical signals of your heart to the monitor. Where the problem comes in is that the ECG waveform with a pacemaker has the pacer spikes in addition to your heart. At times the monitor will read the heart as one beat and the pacer spike as a second beat. The effect is to give a reading that is 2x the actual HR. The effect isn't consistent so is hard to pin down. The best way to check is to manually take your pulse the old way by feeling it in your wrist or neck. In your example the actual rate would be 75 when the monitor reads 150. The difference should be easy to notice.

One suggestion is to ask for a printout of the pre and post checkup report. This will contain the settings of the pacer and some data on how your heart is responding. Some of us here can help you understand the meaning of the readings. It isn't uncommon for a cardiologist to be unfamiliar with the heart of someone who is athletic and will set the pacer inappropriately.

There shouldn't be any problem getting back to rowing once the leads have scarred into the vein wall. Rowing involves stretching your arms forward and upward which puts a pull on the leads. It is possible to dislodge one from the heart wall with that kind of activity.

In the meantime you can sing "Row Row Row your Boat. LOL

frank

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